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Home in SA for an extended holiday

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So I’ve been back in South Africa for nearly two months now, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I arrived in Johannesburg and then spent a couple of days in Pretoria. First thing I did was have my hair cut really short, which was quite a nice change, except that I didn’t like the cut all that much. I went to Tammy’s 21st birthday party, which was really a lot of fun and I got to see loads of people that I haven’t seen in ages. And then I was at home on the farm for a couple of days… so much has changed, but at the same time so little. Mum has a great new car, and finally had her kitchen redone (the ten-year plan finally paid off!), and the entire Christiana area is completely covered in diamond mines – the machinery goes twenty-four hours a day and is really rather annoying. Dad has the pivot alarm set to play Jingle Bells, which at first seemed kinda fun, but at two in the morning, it no longer is! A couple of days at home and then off to Umhlanga for a week. It was so fun spending time there again, there really is nothing like a good South African beach! We got to see lots of people that we really don’t see often, including my cousin Stuart, whose turning out to be a pretty good reporter for the SABC. Missed John Sweiden by a couple of days, but I had brunch with Warren one day, and it was really lovely to see him.

We then picked up Granny Lucie at Durban Airport and went down the South Coast to our flat at Ramsgate - and this place is just good for the soul. I slowly started getting some colour back in my skin, was eating healthily and spending good time with my family and I left there feeling very relaxed and much calmer. I was at home for Christmas, and mum really pulled out all the stops! My moms’ brother, Kit, and his family came over and we had a fabulous Christmas dinner for twelve. Christmas day we spent on the float on the river, with everybody skiing and tubing and thankfully Christiana was one of the only dry places in the country for once!

Ian, Rene, Bridget, Evan, Kelly and Gavin all gradually started arriving to spend New Years’ here, and we spent most days either at that pool or on the river. Ian was by far the most entertaining as he scored the top prize for entertainment while learning to ski. This boy just does not know what it means to let go! Anyone would have thought he was a top-class stunt performer for his ability to go down and even summersault and then recover again – just to go down again! But he got there eventually and really started making it look easy after a while! Bridget came up without any hassles, as did Kelly. It unfortunately landed up raining on New Years eve, so we weren’t able to go on the float, but we had a pretty awesome party at home, with some other people joining us from town. Quite a way to bring in the New Year, and it was lovely having so many of out friends around us.

Since then I’ve spent a lovely weekend in Kimberly with Rene and I just got back from a week in Cape Town. It was so good to be back! Ian and Rick were absolute legends, keeping me company for most of the time. We went shopping (I’ve been deprived for a long time!!!) had loads of meals out, including a fantastic Mediterranean Pizza at Diva (enough to make most Capetonians mouths water… and for those of you who’ve never had one, it’s the best combination of salami, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, wine-soaked aubergine and feta cheese, mmm!!!) Roast Duck and Caramel Fish at Saigon, Marcells frozen yoghurt (with chocolate chips!) and a great lunch at Yum café! I also saw quite a bit of Lana who’s looking absolutely gorgeous – I’m sorry, I just have to say something else here that will also only be relevant to other Cape Town people – I can’t believe that videos are still only R4 in Rondies – that’s like 25p!!

Lionel and I went for a drive out to Simonstown and had a drink at the waterfront and then did one of the best things of my stay, we went out on a keelboat for nearly an hour. It was a beautifully hot day, with enough wind to fill the sails and apart from the crew it was only Lini and me on the boat. Gorgeous! UCT is looking absolutely amazing, they’ve sandblasted Jammie Hall, so it’s beautifully clean, and everything’s just so green. I have to say that most of all I miss Cape Town, drinks at Clifton (where I bumped into Grant, who I haven’t seen in ages!), Camps Bay (having my hair cut by Helen), La Med. You cannot beat the scenery, no matter where you go - there’s just no other place like it!

OK, so now I’m back at home, and it’s officially hit 38deg. Celsius and it’s time to start thinking about going back to London. Apparently it’s been one of the coldest winters ever in London, so I have to say that I’m pretty glad I missed it! In some ways I’m looking forward to it, though. It’s going to be great to see all my friends again – I’m even kinda looking forward to going back to work – would you believe I missed Dan, Vadi and Matthew too!?!

Locations Visited: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Christiana, Durban, Ramsgate, Christiana, Kimberley, Cape Town, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Christiana, Johannesburg

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