Sorry it has taken so long for me to upload another page in my blog.  The reason being is that my family and I have been on holiday in South Africa for a month and when we got back, I have just been so busy at work.  So now, after the first week of school, I have made time to sit down and write the page.

Where did I end off.  Oh yes.  We were getting ready to leave for our journey home, South Africa, for a six week holiday.  And we were so excited.  I could not wait.  We packed and weighed, and packed and weighed.  We hired a private driver to pick us up on the Saturday, 28/6, and we were off.

It felt like the longest flight I ever had.  But we landed and were eager to see our families again.  We stayed at Anton and Sanchia’s home.  You guys have a beautiful home.

We just relaxed on the first couple of days.  We went shopping and tasted some South African food again. 

Wimpy Breakfast

On the 1^st July, Paul and I woke up early and jumped onto a plane and headed to Durban to fetch our car.  Things took longer than expected in fixing the car and we had to stay over in Durban.  While we were there, we went and had supper at Jo’s.  Thanks Jo for a delicious meal.  The next day we left for JHB and on the way stopped off to visit my Dad. 

While in JHB, we visited the China Mart.  I tried speaking Mandarin with the Chinese people but they kept responding in English.  When I asked one lady about Taobao, she just giggled.  During the stay in JHB I did a lot of clothes shopping as it is difficult to find my size in China.  

We had Aunty Eugene and Leanda come over for a braai as well.  And as usual, we had it in South African style.  Lots and lots of meat with lots and lots of fellowship.  We also had Brandon come over for a visit.  It was so nice to see all of you again.

One thing that we have missed dearly is CHURCH.  The feeling of being in church after so long is amazing.  We attended Acts Christian Church. 

Then after a week and a half in JHB we went down to Durban to visit the other half of the family.  The girls went to visit their friends and Paul and I went to visit Berenice and Mark.  Was lovely seeing you guys again.

After all the dentist appointments we had to go have a Durban special – A bunny chow.  Wow, that’s all I can say.

Then it was time to visit some more friends and family.  I met up with some of the PJPS staff member at spur for lunch.  It was a nice catch up.  

We also went to visit Gran, Aunty Beth, Angie and the new little miracle, James.

The following day we had a braai at my Dads house in Pietermaritzburg.  There we caught up with some of my Afrikaans family and my sister Jo and brother Deon. 

Even though we may have been somewhat tired, we decided to go and watch the KZN Military Tatoo. 

Sussie, a former colleague from PJPS, invited us for lunch.  Sussie you went out of your way for us.  It was really good spending some quality time with you and your family.

All between visiting family and friends we had to have our share of visiting some of the restaurants. 

A week into our time in Durban, the weather turned for the worst.  Obviously we left China in a squelching summer and now we were in a cold winter.

Paul and I had to try and manage a time to slip away to finalise all the details for Kerry’s surprise 21^st party.  She was non the wiser for it.

Sarah invited six of her friends over for a braai and a little catch up.  A good bunch of children.

We have for the very first time had a family photo shoot.  Her name is Jade and she is a friend on my facebook.  My sister also used her before she left to go back to the UK. 

My Mom and Mike landed on the 16 July, but our car was in for repairs again so we could not go see them straight away.  I only got to see her again at Vanessa’s Kitchen Tea.  Wow.  2 and half years is a very long time.  I missed you mom.

We also went to the Barnyard to watch the ’50 Carat Gold’ show.  It was fantastic.

My mom had hired a timeshare and she asked us to go and stay down at Umhlanga with them.  It was a great treat.

During our stay there we had so much to do.  We had to apply for Kerry’s visa and hand in Sarah’s school books.  We also were invited to Leigh and Fiona’s new home for supper.  Thanks guys, and Fiona, the food was divine.

Kerry’s big party was only 2 days away, and Paul and I had a lot to do.  We hired our décor from Highway Function Hire.  I am very impressed with their professional service they offered.  We also had to go and fetch Kerry’s birthday cake.  Afterwards, Paul and I baked and made salads all night.  The next morning we were still baking but it was worth it in the end.  We went early to set up the venue, but did we have to rush.  Thank you so much Charmaine and Sanchia.  I could not have done it without you guys.  The party went off very well.  The food was catered by Gerald James, 0783153072, and it was awesome.    Really if you need someone to cater, please call him.  It was really cold at the venue, and then the rain came and so did the hail.  Thank you to the owners for supplying heaters to keep our guests warm.  And Gail, Sanchia, Charmaine and Berenice, a big thank you for all the help in cleaning up and washing up.  It was an awesome day.  One Kerry will never forget.

The next day it was Deon’s 40^th Birthday braai.  We took awesome family photos and had a wonderful time socializing. 

Again during all this time socializing with family and friends, we went and ate out. 

We also celebrated my Godson, Joshua’s, Christening.  Nikki and Marco treated the family to a wonderful lunch at Olive and Oil.

Going home on the longest holiday I get, I had to go and visit PJPS and see how all the teachers are doing.  It was not a long visit as everyone was ready to go home.  But it was a visit all the same.  It was great to touch sides with my ‘family’.

We drove up to Kloof to find some curios for my Chinese friends.  They did make it quite clear that they did not want anything that had ‘made in China’ on it.  So we had to look.  We decided to go to the locals that make their hand crafts.  While there we ran into Mom, Niks, Marco, Deon and kiddies and decided to go and have a bite to eat at Pot and Kettle.

The next day we all met at Makaranga for lunch.  What a beautiful venue.  And we were told you don’t have to eat lunch there.  You can also pay a day pass and go in to use their facilities.  But their lunches are rather yummy.

The last day in Durban we went up to PMB to have a housewarming braai at my brothers place.  Deon you have an awesome home.  Make lots of memories in it.

Then on our way up to JHB we stopped over at Thatchings where we stayed a night so we could attend my cousins wedding.  A beautiful wedding.  Congrats Justin and Vanessa.

Then after breakfast, and a lot of snot and trane, it was time for our final farewell.  Till we meet again.  Love you all so much.

When we got to JHB it was Kendra’s birthday party.  So we celebrated with her. 

We also made time to go through to Leanda’s home where we were treated to supper.  Thank you for an awesome Briyani Leanda and some delicious ribs Aunty.

The rest of our days were just relaxing and getting ready for the long flight back, which came sooner than we thought.  And now that we are back, it is nose to the grindstone with school.  We have a new principal (Autralian) and two new teachers (New Zealander and Romanian).

We had an awesome holiday.  Thank you to all that made it that way.  Till we meet again. However keep reading to know what we are up to.