Hi Everyone
I've grouped this entry together for two reasons:
1. I have a lot of catching up to do, now that I can kind of work out what day it is and I've found a battery charger for my pc
2. The first couple of days (including 24 hours of travel) makes for quite a blur of memories and all I've got to go on are the notes that I jotted down on the piece of paper in my bag
Day 1: The Departure
We had a quick check in at the desk and then head to our family steak ranch for a super send off with the family. Ethan fell asleep as we arrived at the airport but woke up in time to greet everyone with one last goodbye before we went through the departure gate. As we boarded, he started whining and I went into a slight panic. The looks from the other passengers was unnerving - how much harder could a long haul flight be?? Oh, but our travelling troopers played their part well: all buckled up in their respective seats and watching Frozen (thanks Annie for the intro!) as we took off for London...
Meal time was a real treat since we remembered to book kid's meals this time around. There was no shortage of kid-enticing luxuries on offer and after enjoying the meal, Jorja stretched out over 2 seats (with Ethan still occupying one of them) and bid us goodnight. Ethan finally fell asleep at 11pm (SA time) and we were all out until 5am. Not bad for a 6am landing!
Day 2: Four hours in London
The security check at Heathrow was not to be scoffed at - we lost all liquids and Jorja had to remove her shoes and stand on a box to be searched. Once we'd got through that, we were more than ready to keep moving, but alas, there was a wait until our connecting flight was due to take off. After lots of running, walking, changing, flight spotting (quite an exhausting exercise considering we're at London Heathrow!), reading and using up 1 of 2 wi-fi vouchers, we made the decision to exchange R200 for GBP8 and buy some drinks.
It was quite unbelievable to be in the UK and not be heading off to see the Wilcox and Weber families. We were so close, we could almost taste those chicken wings and cheesecakes! Instead, we snacked on the Marie Biscuit and Eet-Sum-Mor treats from the Ebrahims and kept waiting for the announcement of our flight.
Having wanted to travel to the USA since school-going age, but instead travelling to the UK, I never really believed that I would ever be standing at a departures board with only American destinations on it - San Francisco, Miami, New York... This just got more real than ever before!
We were much more awake this flight (being daylight and all) and our bodies just kept on going with the flow.
We arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston, in 30 degree heat, to the hugs and high fives from family - what a treat!
Of course, first we had to get through Passport Control - which is quite accurately as nerve-wrecking as they make it seem in the movies! The only difference here is that our 2 year old son sang Happy Birthday to the Official as he let us through the gate and welcomed us to America! What a relief to get to the other side, with all our people, baggage and still smiling...
We loaded into what could best be described as the A-Team van of 2014 and set off for Vermont - The Green Mountain State. Stopping only for some food along the 2 hour trip, we head into the rain clouds and emerged on top of the hill that is Hope Meadow Farm later that afternoon. We were tired, dirty (and now wet from the downpour), but so, so happy to have our feet on the ground and in the comfort of family. The cousins have wasted no time in getting well acquainted in what could only be described as a play place heaven (aka The Gym) at the farm house.
At 10pm (USA time) on Wednesday, it was 4am (SA Time) on Thursday and we had been on the trot since 6am (SA time) on Tuesday. It was time for a horizontal rest.
Day 3: First full day in Vermont
After a restful sleep, we fished through the suitcases for clothing and supplies and set off for our first full day (and the grand tour of Hope Meadow Farm). Jorja decided to rock her brand new dress from Yaya and Ethan was ecstatic to be wearing a shorts and tee for the first time in weeks. P-J set off with at 7am to go and fetch some grain and then came back for us after first breakfast* time.
*first breakfast: early morning oats or cereal, followed by second breakfast of eggs and toast enjoyed at around 9.30am
At the farm, we each fit on a pair of boots, and head down to the animals - Well, the adults walked, the young boys drove their four-wheelers and Jorja was chauffeured down in a golf cart by her eldest cousin!
At the bottom of the walkway, we were given an interesting introduction to Fodder - a fantastically green, natural food source for all the animals that not only makes them a better food but also preserves the farm land.
As I was looking out of the window of the Fodder House, a golf cart on the hill up ahead came whizzing past the window and as I said "Wow! Look how that thing moves!" I realised that it was my 5 year old driving! And now she's hooked... #motorized #pasekind
The day got quite busy after that, but before we left, the two younger boys tucked into Jorja's paint set and covered themselves in Maori style body art! After a quick clean up, we set off on some errands. Next stop was the park and then Sunrise Farm where we met Chuck with his fresh veg and herbs selection.
P-J cooked 2 of the biggest chickens that any of us had ever seen before, for dinner, with saucy pasta that the small boys devoured and a cauliflower, asparagus and bacon pot to seal the deal. We literally fell into bed that night feeling absolutely shattered.
Day 4: New Normal
Despite a broken sleep and the kids waking up every hour from 1am onwards, we had a good sleep again and were back on the farm by 7.30am. The 2 year-olds enjoyed 3 farm eggs each for second breakfast without breaking a sweat and then put all that protein to good use when they joined the older gents for a water fight of note. Jorja was soaked but would not change because the spare clothes that I'd packed was of the shorts kind and not of the dress kind - you understand?
We spent a lot of time just relaxing and watching the kids at play. We enjoyed some frisbee throwing later in the afternoon (ask my knees how much fun I had!) and then we braai-ed for dinner. Jorja unfortunately missed the entire afternoon from 5.30pm onwards, due to an extended and much needed nap. Where'd the meat come from? Yes, you guessed it! Just before we head off home, I went down to help do the night time chores - moving the chicken off the steps and into their hok so that they weren't easy picking of the pesky fox, replaced their water, fed the fodder to the pigs and locked up. They had sorted out the water points on the field, so the cows and sheep would be sorted until morning...
I've grouped this entry together for two reasons:
1. I have a lot of catching up to do, now that I can kind of work out what day it is and I've found a battery charger for my pc
2. The first couple of days (including 24 hours of travel) makes for quite a blur of memories and all I've got to go on are the notes that I jotted down on the piece of paper in my bag
Day 1: The Departure
We had a quick check in at the desk and then head to our family steak ranch for a super send off with the family. Ethan fell asleep as we arrived at the airport but woke up in time to greet everyone with one last goodbye before we went through the departure gate. As we boarded, he started whining and I went into a slight panic. The looks from the other passengers was unnerving - how much harder could a long haul flight be?? Oh, but our travelling troopers played their part well: all buckled up in their respective seats and watching Frozen (thanks Annie for the intro!) as we took off for London...
Meal time was a real treat since we remembered to book kid's meals this time around. There was no shortage of kid-enticing luxuries on offer and after enjoying the meal, Jorja stretched out over 2 seats (with Ethan still occupying one of them) and bid us goodnight. Ethan finally fell asleep at 11pm (SA time) and we were all out until 5am. Not bad for a 6am landing!
Day 2: Four hours in London
The security check at Heathrow was not to be scoffed at - we lost all liquids and Jorja had to remove her shoes and stand on a box to be searched. Once we'd got through that, we were more than ready to keep moving, but alas, there was a wait until our connecting flight was due to take off. After lots of running, walking, changing, flight spotting (quite an exhausting exercise considering we're at London Heathrow!), reading and using up 1 of 2 wi-fi vouchers, we made the decision to exchange R200 for GBP8 and buy some drinks.
 |
| 'Tiger' chasing Jorja along the window |
 |
| Pretending just for a moment that we're travelling alone |
 |
| The biggest book we could find, travelling with us! |
Having wanted to travel to the USA since school-going age, but instead travelling to the UK, I never really believed that I would ever be standing at a departures board with only American destinations on it - San Francisco, Miami, New York... This just got more real than ever before!
We were much more awake this flight (being daylight and all) and our bodies just kept on going with the flow.
 |
| Miss Jorja enjoying a good brunch |
 |
| Selfies with Dad |
 |
| Some comfort after a bumpy landing - see Ethan waiting to get off the plane! |
Of course, first we had to get through Passport Control - which is quite accurately as nerve-wrecking as they make it seem in the movies! The only difference here is that our 2 year old son sang Happy Birthday to the Official as he let us through the gate and welcomed us to America! What a relief to get to the other side, with all our people, baggage and still smiling...
We loaded into what could best be described as the A-Team van of 2014 and set off for Vermont - The Green Mountain State. Stopping only for some food along the 2 hour trip, we head into the rain clouds and emerged on top of the hill that is Hope Meadow Farm later that afternoon. We were tired, dirty (and now wet from the downpour), but so, so happy to have our feet on the ground and in the comfort of family. The cousins have wasted no time in getting well acquainted in what could only be described as a play place heaven (aka The Gym) at the farm house.
At 10pm (USA time) on Wednesday, it was 4am (SA Time) on Thursday and we had been on the trot since 6am (SA time) on Tuesday. It was time for a horizontal rest.
Day 3: First full day in Vermont
After a restful sleep, we fished through the suitcases for clothing and supplies and set off for our first full day (and the grand tour of Hope Meadow Farm). Jorja decided to rock her brand new dress from Yaya and Ethan was ecstatic to be wearing a shorts and tee for the first time in weeks. P-J set off with at 7am to go and fetch some grain and then came back for us after first breakfast* time.
*first breakfast: early morning oats or cereal, followed by second breakfast of eggs and toast enjoyed at around 9.30am
At the farm, we each fit on a pair of boots, and head down to the animals - Well, the adults walked, the young boys drove their four-wheelers and Jorja was chauffeured down in a golf cart by her eldest cousin!
 |
| Ethan stuck in the mud |
At the bottom of the walkway, we were given an interesting introduction to Fodder - a fantastically green, natural food source for all the animals that not only makes them a better food but also preserves the farm land.
As I was looking out of the window of the Fodder House, a golf cart on the hill up ahead came whizzing past the window and as I said "Wow! Look how that thing moves!" I realised that it was my 5 year old driving! And now she's hooked... #motorized #pasekind
The day got quite busy after that, but before we left, the two younger boys tucked into Jorja's paint set and covered themselves in Maori style body art! After a quick clean up, we set off on some errands. Next stop was the park and then Sunrise Farm where we met Chuck with his fresh veg and herbs selection.
 |
| Jorja covered her head from the rain with a plastic packet - I kid you not! |
Day 4: New Normal
Despite a broken sleep and the kids waking up every hour from 1am onwards, we had a good sleep again and were back on the farm by 7.30am. The 2 year-olds enjoyed 3 farm eggs each for second breakfast without breaking a sweat and then put all that protein to good use when they joined the older gents for a water fight of note. Jorja was soaked but would not change because the spare clothes that I'd packed was of the shorts kind and not of the dress kind - you understand?
We spent a lot of time just relaxing and watching the kids at play. We enjoyed some frisbee throwing later in the afternoon (ask my knees how much fun I had!) and then we braai-ed for dinner. Jorja unfortunately missed the entire afternoon from 5.30pm onwards, due to an extended and much needed nap. Where'd the meat come from? Yes, you guessed it! Just before we head off home, I went down to help do the night time chores - moving the chicken off the steps and into their hok so that they weren't easy picking of the pesky fox, replaced their water, fed the fodder to the pigs and locked up. They had sorted out the water points on the field, so the cows and sheep would be sorted until morning...
It sounds amazing! Glad you are having a good time!
ReplyDeleteOh my word! Sounds absolutely lovely! Keep the blogs coming. Hugs and kisses for all.
ReplyDeleteWow! It all sounds amazing ... lots if fun.
ReplyDelete