...life has been going on as normal. In between our weekend sojourns both near and far, lots of things have kept us entertained.
Simon and I joined the BHP team for the RBCT Charity Relay (that's the Richards Bay Coal Terminal). Here we are with our team, fashionably decked out in lurid green. We each did a lovely 8km circuit around the foreshore (just so you get the right picture in your mind's eye, when I say foreshore, think Dampier, not East Perth).
We've had another home invasion - monkeys again. This time they managed to come in through the upstairs bathroom window. Luckily I was on my way home and caught them red-handed, as I hate to think of the mess they would have made of the place if left to their own devices. The only casualty was my lovely non-greasy SPF15 face cream, last seen being applied liberally to a vervet's face. Okay.........maybe he was just trying to eat it.
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| Making a quick getaway across our back wall... |
Here's William up on stage just before performing in the Preparatory School Choir. Lots of fun for all the kids with many of the Grade 1s and 2s yawning more than singing by the end of the evening performance! The highlight was a bunch of African girls from the College who had formed their own Grantleigh Gospel Group - absolutely amazing voices and a stunning performance.
A coal ship, the MV Smart (locally now known, as the MV Slightly Stupid) ran aground just after leaving the Port of Richards Bay last week. Apparently the engines stalled, and the 10m waves did the rest. The big waves continued and it wasn't long before the hull split in half - ooops. The town grapevine was certainly running hot, as the beach was packed that afternoon with the entire population of Richards Bay, joined in due course by the ice cream van, coffee van and vendors of everything from fluffy toys to zebra skins, hoping to capitalise on the mayhem. Luckily, the crew were airlifted and the fuel drained, however, they are still scratching their heads when it comes to removing the 148 000 tonnes of coal.
And soccer training has finished up. Here's the Grantleigh Under 8s having a bit of a pep talk with Coach Chris before the final game against, Arboretum. Final score 2 all, with one of the opposition getting a severe reprimand from Auntie Barbara for back-chatting the referee.
William's team has two coaches - Coach Chris and Auntie Barbara. There's a certain American frisson to the "Coach Chris" title, but the "Auntie" term is used as a respectful title for any woman (usually an older one), and is all Afrikaans.
Cricket is next on the sporting calendar. I overheard a couple of the Grade 2 kids talking the other day, "I don't think William will be very good at cricket because the Australian team is hopeless". Oh dear, tough start. Seems the South Africans get going on their sledging training early.
Cricket is next on the sporting calendar. I overheard a couple of the Grade 2 kids talking the other day, "I don't think William will be very good at cricket because the Australian team is hopeless". Oh dear, tough start. Seems the South Africans get going on their sledging training early.
And so....
...life goes on at the Mzingazi Golf Estate. Our friendly crocodile continues to pop up intermittently by the 18th Hole, especially when the sun is out and the basking is good. We've spotted a few more around the place, including an absolutely MASSIVE one, laying around on someone's back lawn. We assumed backyard cricket had been adjourned in the house for that day...
