Highlights of Home

so i thought, before i go forward and start blogging about my current life i should look back and  share some of the highlights of the past 2 months. these photos are in no way all the wonderful things that happened in SA, im sure ive left a lot out and there were so many moments that a photo just cant convey. fortunately there are many photos that captured the moment perfectly and here they are.

she like a spider on the climbing wall

climbing makes me happy

obstacle course at rocklands

Rio having an absolute ball. the funniest thing was when he jumped in the 'lava pit' (sand underneath the swing) and started doing tribal dances singing 'im in the lava, in the lava'

then i went to visit jen and her brood of cuties

she showed me around town and the various places that are dying to have her run their  restaurants

a beautiful winters afternoon

Pixie keeping a mental tally of the location of each of her puppies

it is deathly quiet here but very beautiful

Robyn and co. were also in SA at the same time i was so we did a few things together, including seeing the horses of course

greedy chalidon

chalidon again

gorgeous fluffy dogs!

like a ninja

Mayah brought her violin with her this time and played for us! she is really really good, we also watched  her performing in an orchestra

now you can see why Rio is standing on the wall..

went to go watch Matthews band play

his band

Houtbay

i had my very own italian guest visit me in south africa

getting cosy with Tutu

baby sharks at the aquarium

these crazy fish. they dont have an anemoni in their tank so they all squish themselves onto the glass together

whose watching who

went for drinks at Polanas and the tide obliged by being perfect height at sunset then crashing onto the windows a little later

brazilian flair

we drove on the most spectacular day around the coast way to hermanus. road-tripping to visit jen and ryno

hermsanus

we went to visit jen at her work, La Vierge

she returned the favour with wine tasting and an overflowing cheeseboard

we made pasta. jen made fresh pasta (francesco had never made it before) francesco made the carbonara. dont really  know who was teaching who here

we had such a blast that weekend. Dilo bought a crateful of crayfish and we spent the evening cleaning, braaing and feasting on them.

the chefs

the best hosts

and puppies of course

ryno rode his bike all weekend. thats francesco on the back

pix and her puppies

in the safest hands

not so safe hands ;)

ryno got this new HUGE bucky. we had to coax francesco inside. he couldnt believe we were actually going to sit in the back.

happiness is. i think that was the best weekend of my year, thanks to all who made it so great. 

Franceso cooked a meal for all of these hungry south africans. everyone being hungry for an authentic italian experiance, it started as dinner for 5 people then 7 then 10 then 14! he wasnt daunted and cooked up a storm of chicken and pasta deliciousness

somewhat sandwiched

we went to visit the penguins at boulders beach

the cousins, and the freezing water

at cape point. we did all the touristy things we could do in one week.

the point of cape point

up table mountain

devils peak

wheres the best place you've ever had a smoke?

the revolving restaurant. i didnt tell him it revolved, and he didnt notice. so i told him and he was shocked.  had a great evening of mussels and kudu fillet

live music 

went to visit the zoo that is closing down this year and because of this, half the cages were empty. what a sad sad sight.

who remebers the walk through avairy? well i do. it doent exist anymore. the whole place was deserted

well there were 2 lions. the fattest lions iv ever seen

not so comfortable in high places..

ah my gorgeous car. italian accesory not included!

it was Alex's birthday and we went to a restaurant on a wine farm for dinner

clare and Veronika

veronika looking fantastic

hmm italian kisses or south african kisses?

a happy alex and her present! what a lucky girl

she wouldnt get out

family at Alex's birthday party barndance. what fantastic effort on the costumes! and id like to add that my gramps bought 2 costumes and changed halfway through the night!

hillbillies and Dilo

hillbillies and alex

confused cowboy

all the cousins

delene looking sassy

the hall looking lovely thanks to mom's handmade meters of bunting! everyone looked really great and danced until  we were just a sweaty mess. oh right, that was just me.

the dancing began

us three.
well as you can see, there is a lot to be missed in south africa. i love you all, see you at christmas xxx