Skip to main content

Week 4

A super highlight of the past week would have to be that we finally got to swim/soak/submerge in cool water, the first time of this USA Summer! Of course, we had to climb down to the bottom of the Gorge first - and in the heat, donning sloffies. Oh but it was all worth it!
Starting off, we found little rock pool puddles to splash in. We sat toe deep in the water and dreamed of greater things... Then curiosity and constant exposure to direct sunlight prompted us to venture around the corner and there we found DEEP waters and slightly more shaded sitting place. Ahhhh!
Eventually, we had to pack up and make our way to the car. But first, the hike back! (I should probably note that I still have some calf stiffness.) To say that we were silly-happy-tired by the time we walked in at home would be an understatement of note. Loads of smiles...

 

This week has seen some more extremely hot weather days - the neighbouring town has opened their public pool for free to local residents (boo!) and there are posters up all around reminding people to stay cool and hydrated. My Baby has found another genius hack for humidity-harassed hair:


We baked a family favourite this week - chocolate cake with bananas, caramel and fresh cream. I'd post a photo, but it was all cut up (and swallowed) by the time I returned from the washing up so you'll just have to imagine it! I must mention, though, that the caramel was home made by Dear Husband! Here's a photo of the pancake breakfast he prepared on a previous morning. Zoom in to see the pot up close on the top.


When J's class teacher in SA agreed to a short video call, she was so excited! The call time was set for 07:40am our time and J asked me to wake her at 06:00am. When I got up to call her, she was already awake - hair brushed and all. As I watched her take the call, I couldn't help but tear up a little. She seemed to have a little rush of a mix of feelings too - familiarity, fun, friendships, longing, joy, laughs. I don't think she'd realised that all of this could come out of one 5 minute video call. Her friends recited a poem "The Old Gumbie Cat" by T S Eliot and took turns checking in on her and giving her their own little update. They also reminded her to brush up on her knowledge of Hermes - from Greek Myths. What a special treat.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...

That's so amazing about Grace

Scrolling through some photos this afternoon, I came across one of our friend Tarrin-Rae and her new baby girl, Isla, born last Thursday 31 October 2013. Isla Grace Graham I struggled to contain my own emotions as I observed this special moment in Tarrin's life (and new Isla's too) and thought back to my own experiences. I immediately asked Tarrin if I may use this to share a bit more of what I some times feel as a Mom... At first glance, I see relief . She's finally here! We can see her face in real life and we can say out loud "I am a Mommy!" Like my own kids, Isla was in no hurry to be born and labour was induced. What's worse than having to wait 40 weeks to meet your newest family member?? Having to wait longer still! I must confess, that this feeling was mixed with a fair dose of disbelief  on my part too - when I sat quietly resting between visitors and feeds, I had to pinch my literal self and realise - the baby was here. Then I see comfort ....

A trip and a journey

It's a little after 4am and I'm watching my family form letterland characters with their bodies, across my bed. Unless I'm the 'underline' in the word, I have no place to lay my head here... That's a pretty normal situation these days - The only difference today is that instead of a sleepy tussle for my rightful place in the alphabet bed, I'm wide awake, mentally preparing for my drive out to Swellendam at 6am. And it's just dawned on me: this is the first event of the peak season for me, I'm almost on my way out the door and a daunting goal (Ethan's self-soothing) is 3 and a half weeks in motion. Yippee!! I remember thinking about this a lot before heading back to work in August, wondering how (and if!) it could be done and whether I would miss this event altogether because of it - or drive through daily (which aged me considerably during our events in March)... And here I am, almost 4 weeks clear of a 4 year practise - and ev...