South Africa (Aug & Sep)

So much has happened since my last update. Some of it great, and some of it heartbreaking.

One month before my beautiful Mother's wedding to the love of her life - her soul mate - passed away suddenly. It was a devastating time for everyone involved, but especially for her. I spent a week and a bit with my mother and sister in South Africa, trying to support them when all I could really do was cry. There is not much you can do or say to ease the pain at such a terrible time. Being there with them meant the world to me. I want to thank my Mr Fluff for being our rock and keeping his head together when we couldn't. I don't know how we would have coped without you. Love you.

The funeral was as heart wrenching as it was beautiful, but I think that The Shedman will forever cherish the immense love and admiration that filled that room that day. You will be sorely missed by everyone who's lives you touched, Shedman, but the memory of you, your wit, your sense of humour, your musical talent and your love of birds will live on, forever. RIP you ginger shite! xx

In September I returned to South Africa, this time with Mr Fluff in tow. We wanted to spend as much quality time with friends and family as we possibly could. It was so good to be back with my Ouvrou and my favourite (and only!) sister, Little Miss Giggles, and the in-laws: Mr Smarty-pants and Little Miss Bubbly.

We also met up with so many of our fabulous friends and family whom we have not seen in years. I have only two words to describe it - BLOODY AWESOME!

We had a hat party and met up with the whole crazy lot! We also visited others who couldn't make it to the party, and we popped over to Cape Town for a weekend to visit family there. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to see so many people that mean so much to us, on this trip.

Mr Smarty-pants and Little Miss Bubbly took us on an elephant walk. It was amazing. We fed a mother and two young girls, walked around the park with them and watched them play in a water hole. Unforgettable!

the lodge

the bushveld

at the lodge

at  the lodge

giraffe

ellie!

one of the girls

wildebeest

film set of Wild At Heart

film set of Wild At Heart

our lovely guide and handlers

salt

zebra

I also visited the Lion Park with Ouvrou and Little Miss Giggles, and got to play with cubs and fed a giraffe! I highly recommend it :0)

baby hyena  

lion cub!

gemsbok

white lions

hyena

playful hyena

hyena

meerkat

meerkat

springbok

sekretarisvoel (Sagittarius serpentarius)

mongoose

mongoose

white lions

wild dog

wild dog

cheetah

We spent two days at the beautiful and serene Carryblaire on the Vaal river, where The Shedman's ashes were scattered after the funeral. It was his and Ouvrou's favourite place to relax and spy on birds.

one of the resident pups

Here some pics (many snapped while being driven around) in and around Gauteng and the Cape.

man walking next to the highway

bicycle parked next to the highway

bins and wheelbarrow

We had a fantastic holiday in South Africa. We only wish The Shedman could have been there too.

Thank goodness for great friends! Here is Spankysparkle with her best mates Little Miss Sweetness and Mr Luscious at the hat party