E - Vida

Last week we erected a carport structure to protect our car from the (forecast) downpour... It's quite a good looking contraption, first used at our wedding picnic party in 2006. Pops, P-J, Dom and Jorja all played a part in putting it together and by the end we were relieved to have completed the mammoth task. How sad then, to receive the call on Tuesday from our opposite neigbour, to inform us that the Cape of Storms had pushed the cover over! Fortunately, we have not experienced any rain in the last couple of days - in fact, since we erected the car port - and we hope to make a plan for the car before the next rainfall hits.

Hard to believe it is the middle of Winter, with the beautiful, sunny days we've experienced this past week! On Sunday, P-J had some work business and afterwards we joined him in Hout Bay. Jorja's bright-white toes marvelled at the discovery of sand and sea and the fish and chips from Mariner's Warf was thoroughly enjoyed... On Monday afternoon we walked to Fairways to visit Gramps Ikey and Gran Jean. P-J cycled and I pushed Jorja in the stroller down Forest Road and up the Avenues. We were home again by 17h30, just in time for dinner. And again on Wednesday the sun shone brightly and the blue skies begged us to don our shorts 'n slops and head down to the beach! We travelled along the coast line from Muizenberg to Scarborough and then down Ou Kaapse Weg at sunset. What a beautiful city we live in! We also bid farewell to Simon - the German student visiting our home church - this week, after spending one whole year with us in South Africa. Simon has become a special p

Even though we did not experience any of the SWC action live, we have enjoyed listening to our friends' accounts of their experiences - live games, fan walks, photo shoots, big screen viewings and more! On Sunday, we organized a projector and invited a few friends of our own over to our house to watch the game. One closing ceremony, one (very long) soccer match and six pizzas for dinner, and were sorted for the night... With a split supporter camp, the game seemed frustrating and not nearly as electrifying as the 3rd place game, played the previous night. By the end though, few tears were shed because we were really just plain tired! Although, the thought of the SWC having come to an end already, did make our eyes well up... Some colder and wet weather this week has helped us to remember that it is still very much Winter in Cape Town. We try and stay indoors and covered up as often as possible. Seems that if there's a cold out to be caught, Jorja will catch it! For now though,

We've reached the end of another busy week! PJ's working late tonight, serving the last of the SWC visitors at the house and while Jorja has been at Bonny Babies, I've been working on unpacking some more of our things at the new house. Here's what the rooms look like so far: Kitchen complete with all the lace you can handle! Lounge motto for parents: Less is more Sunflowers of Sanitation Main Bedroom Dressing table and all! Jorja's room - perhaps a little too ambitious with all of the white? Jorja had a week of many 'firsts' - We thoroughly enjoyed our first meal around our kitchen counter on Monday morning. Jorja did look at us strangely, questioning her bowl of our porridge against our scrambled eggs! We took a train ride to Fish Hoek on Tuesday to celebrate Dominique's birthday in a new way. Turns out that the line between Fish Hoek and Simonstown was being repaired, but Metrorail had organized a replacement bus service, so we were able to enjoy

I am truly beginning to understand the meaning of the term 'work in progress'... Last Saturday we were given the keys to our new house. On Wednesday we started packing. On Thursday Aunty Betty gave the place a good cleaning and on Friday we started moving. We are still unpacking! Moving with a toddler in tow is not for the faint-hearted, that I know full well, now! She's found more cupboard doors to open and boxes to play in...and she loves the idea of her 'own room' and mirror! She is recovering well now after a bad cold and hopefully she'll be back to her cheery self in no time. In the meantime, PJ and I continue to offload and unpack, sort through and set straight. We were so busy, we couldn't even witness Argentina's exit from the SWC! We hope to be settled in properly by the end of this week - so give us a little more time before you pop in for tea! Here are some of the starting out pictures: I'll post the finished product in the next entr