yeah - i have jet lag !

Jet lag is maybe the way to make the holiday last just that little bit longer. After supper this evening, both Michael and I were struggling to stay awake. I decided to get to work and send out my Wine Time email for the week and Michael attempted to start checking his credit card statement (poor bloke). We finally got into bed at 10.30 and fell fast asleep. Me for two hours and Michael...

still sleeps.

We had a great day yesterday. Gareth arrived in the morning with eggs, bacon, croissants and juice and made us a fancy breakfast. Lovely to have two out of my three around the table. After breakfast I made an attempt to start unpacking. 

The sun was out and my sister had invited us to lunch. So nice to know that we were missed...

Dalene and the girls had gone all out

Kathy I had not seen since 15 June, Lesley had been to Greece for two weeks and Dalene to Pringle Bay!!

Lovely food and wine in the sun (and the bonus of Nicholas James)

and then my Marmie joined us later as well

So it was a wonderful afternoon, we tumbled into bed and slept well. Today it was pretty difficult to get things started, but I eventually did. Now here I lie, wide awake!

I had some time in my garden this morning with my cup of tea. It has taken care of itself amazingly well.

Some new blossoms on the ginger bushes

Pansies, I did not know I had

even a Primula or two

first shoots on the Wisteria (hope hope hoping for flowers this spring)

and even one lonely lemon

Thanks everyone for all the welcome home messages on Facebookmand email. I am glad you enjoyed the blog. I have a couple more to come so it is not goodbye quite yet.

Right now I think some hot milk, honey and brandy is called for...

there is no such thing as the end of a story, just the place the story stops

All a bit confusing as to what the time is where. We flew from Washington for 11 hours to Ghana, where we stopped for a bit more than an hour to re-fuel, lost some beautiful passengers with amazing hairstyles (or wigs) and incredibly colorful outfits)? It now seems like just as long a haul to Johannesburg. According to the map we are now over Botswana and have about another 44 minutes to our next stop. Then nearly 3 hours till our flight to Cape Town.  All part of our journey and of the airlines we have flown on this trip, SAA have been by far the best.  No Southern Comfort though but last night I did have a brandy and ginger ale and then a proper little bottle of wine with supper (none of this plastic cup filled from a plastic litre bottle of very average Italian wine). The food has been good and I had the most delicious poached salmon with a tomato and basil sauce and a risotto type rice (not sure why they had to add spaghetti as well). 

Nothing like a Klippies and an Avomine to induce some sleep

Some Lumineers

I watched Robert Downey Jnr and Robert Duval in The Judge (excellent although I did have to re-watch the ending this morning). Michael got all wrapped up in The Sound of Music, humming (quite loudly) to himself and doing orchestral direction signals to Julie Andrews (love this man). Today has been spent dozing, trying to read a bit and The Second Best Marigold Hotel. 

And we are beginning our descent.....

Now in Jhb, our flight was late not sure about our bags. Ottawa said they would check them through to Cape Town but surely we have to take the bags through customs?

Must say a shower, our own bed, two Rosslee boys and Alfie (in no particular order) tonight and family, a braai and friends tomorrow (also no particular order).

Cannot believe that it is all over. One more flight!! Southern Comfort?

it is still 8 august

Been a pretty damn long day and we still have another hour in Washington. No invite to tea even after putting myself out there for an invite. We have walked this terminal from end to end. I have been into each of the Duty Free shops on this floor and covered myself in every brand of serum from Yves St Laurent to La Mer. The one serum costing $325 - I took a squirt and rubbed it in on my hand, gave it a sniff (I am sensitive to perfumes, you know), took another squirt after realizing that this was too good for my hands and my neck could do with some pampering. Then to the Mac store. Michael at this stage was happy to guard my iPad being charged.

We had lunch at a Bagel and Pannini store (I definitely have not had enough bagels on this trip) and Michael had a Philly Cheese Pannini (one of the winners this trip for him). The poor boy has had more lentils, chick peas and fruit salads in the last weeks than in his life. All good but I have had to laugh at him when I get this helpless look from across this table questioning what he is putting into his mouth.

I have also managed to spend our few left over dollars on chocolates and a last Starbucks Iced Coffee and a magazine. I am tempted too to go and wash my face one last time and go for another quick DFPT facial (Duty Free Pass Through). I do need to try the Guerlain Eye Brightener and the Lancôme Lip Maximizer Gloss. This is such fun, I could just platz.

We have also just found out that our flight is via Accra (where is that?). 

OK,  Michael is back to guard the bags. My last trip to Duty Free. Anyone want anything? Only bargain I see is the Clarins Double Serum 50ml - 2 boxes for $160. Happy to get it for you (but will it be safe with me). One 30ml bottle is SA is R725. Whatapp me. I would love to see the consultant fall off her perch when I eventually buy something.

Did I mention that I have also tried and tested every Jo Malone fragrance? I have cardboard sticks and have been told to layer the scents on my wrists. The Peony and Wild Suede seems to be my favorite but there is a Wild Sage and something else which I should go and check on.

One of the things I won't be sad to leave behind are the USA toilets. Pretty weird. The water is dangerously high, as you stand they flush automatically and I have developed a fascination for watching the paper spin around furiously and then get vacuum sucked away with such force that you can feel the air pressure in the cubicle change. Never mind the fact that it has taken me a couple of mishaps to learn that you have to jump back fast to avoid getting splashed.

So while I am sad that our travels are now over, it is home time. Can't wait to see my family (and Alfie) and on checking emails, I even have a wine delivery on Monday (isn't it a public holiday?).

Later Alligators!! Time to board. xx

day twenty nine - time to say goodbye

We left the Galilee Centre at around 11 for a slow trip back to Stephen's home at McDonalds Corners (definitely not sure about how the Canadian's handle plurals). This included a stop at Snow Queen (Judy's favourite ice cream spot). Sorry Judy it was not a spot on Kimballs or Ben and Jerry's but a good start to the trip.

We took Bob Marley (Stephen's dog) for a walk and then watched Stephen and family and extras in soccer team action on Stephen's very own 'Field of Dreams'. They have leveled and mowed their own field at the back to their property. Michael was pleased he did not volunteer as it proved to be a very physical match. 5 a side, 5 minutes each way and about eight games. The English cousins proved to have excellent skills, Sadie is a bit of a maniac, Stephen had his eye split open, another lady player had a bloody nose and there were ice packs on knees at dinner. I am sure some very stiff limbs will be boarding busses and planes today.

Stephen's seven children were in charge of the birthday dinner and we had a feast of corn tacos with various fillings. This was followed in Kotze fashion with music and listening to some of Joe's new stuff. He is part of a band and will be putting more time into his music now that his studies are over. Sadie is now not shy to perform anymore and has the most amazing voice. They sang an Avett Brothers song which was spectacular (the January wedding one, Nic)

There way much celebration last night as Joe and Misha (Stephen's daughter) announced their engagement. They are the most stunning couple and we were delighted to be a part of the occasion. Lots of Kotze cousin weddings in the pipeline.

Then time to start saying the final goodbyes and eventually only got to bed at 1.30. We were up at 5 to get to Ottawa and Caroline to the bus station by 7 (she has a 10 hour bus trip back to New York). We have now been sitting at our entrance gate waiting for our flight. We were two hours early and are heading to Washington (where we have a 5 hour wait).

10 minutes to go and I need to spend our last couple of Canadian pennies. Go goodbye to you for now. I will load some more pictures in Washington.

Cute house over the road 

More green trees and forest walks

with Bob Marley

Veggie patch

Action soccer

Caroline, Stephanie and Joanna

Field of Dreams

Misha Joe Stephanie Judy and Richard

Joanna jamming

Michael (sleepwalking)

day twenty eight - still chillin' and connecting

Yesterday was another day of swimming, lake walks (almost like a beach walk but without proper waves and real sea sand), forest walks, food and plenty of sharing (individually, in big groups and in small groups). Quiet times in between and the beauty of this house is that there is always somewhere to find a quiet corner or a comfy chair, to read or play a game. I still have not finished my book and I have to finish it before I land in Cape Town. 

It has been great watching all the generations connect and, in particular the three youngest.

An amazingly peaceful forest walk with enormous pine trees

Friday 7th

Stephen is 60 today. We are busy packing up and are heading back to their home for a party tonight. Early start tomorrow with 6 of us needing to take the 2 hour drive to Ottawa to catch planes, trains and busses.

All good things must come to an end.

day twenty seven - day two of reunion

This place has been ideal for a reunion. Close enough to town for those who need book shops and bottle stores but in massive grounds where you seem to be in seclusion from the world. Forest walks and your own private beach on the lake. I am enjoying these fresh water lakes. The water is the perfect temperature, slight swells but easy to have a good in and the fresh water is makes your hair so soft and not need conditioner.

The rooms are great (shared bathroom though). Not a problem except when you do a late night trip to the toilet and have not read the instuctions on the desk advising that the door is self locking. So at 2.30 in the morning, I was on the landing in only a t-shirt, trying to tap and rattle the door to wake the sleeping beauty. I was about to make a plan to lie down and sleep in the chapel opposit us (Madonna would have been horrified at my attire though) when the sleepy man awoke and opened the door. Relief!

This morning I had a great swim in the lake with the three children. The weather has been mild and quite overcast and after my swim and lunch we played some Sequence (Andrea and I won again) and had a walk before a photographer friend of Stephens arrived. Before that we had made a trip to the bottle store. Interesting to look at all the wines and what they have available. Canada seems to be making a lot of their own wines and the two we have sampled, were good. $13.95 for a bottle of Douglas Green Sauvignon Blanc. Some others at $9, which is about the cheapest we have seen on our travels.

Here are some of my pictures from yesterday.

The siblings Stephen, Jennifer, Michael and Derek

Jon and Joanna. They gave a swing dance class last night. Michael and I gave up when the two youngest Theo and Lilly mastered the steps before we could.

Chris Ross - author, teacher, husband to Jaye, father to Theo, musician and more.

Judy, Joe, Stephanie and Thomas

The cousins in height order

Chris and Jon

Jaye and Joanna, husbands and Theo

Sunrise this morning through the mesh

Michael at this moment. Swing and Square dancing in one evening is hard work.

It is now 8.30 on Thursday. Our last day at Galilee. It looks like a perfect day so perhaps a swim in the lake before showering for the day. Not sure what is planned for today but will soon find out.

Hope all is good in Africa. Two more sleeps and home time for us.

day twenty six - my first time at a retreat

Galilee Centre is a sanctuary. This huge rambling house with rooms, dining areas, conference rooms and chapels all around. 30 Kotze people from four different countries all together (some of them have not seen each other for 24 years and it is a first time meeting of the three young ones of the new generation). 

We arrived at around 3 yesterday and by 6 everyone had arrived. We had some drinks followed by a meal and then some "family sharing time". Easier for some than others but it was a time to remember and tell stories of Theo, Helen and brother David (who died after Helen). Bedtime was at a reasonable hour for some of us but some of the cousins had catching up to do. The beauty of this place is that you can always find yourself a quiet corner (which I am doing now).

This morning we had breakfast and then took a walk around the labyrinth. This was quite an experience and this quiet time of walking had me feeling homesick for the second time. The first time was the other night at Stephen's home where he was singing along with his children and I just wished that my boys were with me. This morning the feeling of family and togetherness was very real and suddenly I wanted my mommy and my sister and my boys (and my brother and my nieces, friends and Alfie).

Our family is so different yet the ties that bind are just as real. All families are different. Whilst the Kotze family have been separated through the years and the family are rich in stories of the struggle they spend much time discussing the past and reminiscing. It hurts Michael a lot that he went through his childhood unaware of the unhappiness his younger brothers and sister experienced. So there are some deep and meaningful moments. Through all of this the newcomers to the group (me included) are made to feel a part of this warm and loving family.

So my family that are rarely apart (although Nic and Matthew are now away from home) and live within kilometers of each other in Cape Town don't really need to have organized reunions. HOWEVER, I really need to see my family when we get home on Sunday.  Not Sunday night (flight only arrives at 10) (be there Gareth) but Monday is a public holiday (to mark our return) and I can't wait. BONUS Nic is arriving in Cape Town before we do on Sunday. 

The bell for lunch has just rung, a photographer is arriving this afternoon, we are having swing dancing lessons this evening and I am sure the Canadian Kotze's will be making some music. Oh and Michael and I have to go into town to find the bottle store. I am having withdrawal symptoms from that Clamatoe drink. Going to try and bring some home. 

Good times!

Our room

View from upstairs

Another outdoor dining area

Tree planted in1860 by Prince Edward

Labyrinth walk

You will have to wait for Michael today.

Lots of love to you all

xx