My summer holiday…more like winter!!!

As most of you know I came home for my summer holiday (aka winter…haha) after completing my first year in Russia. Well sadly that holiday is coming to an end. Soon I’ll be on a plane heading back to start my degree studies. As exciting as that sounds, I’m also a bit nervous. I’m not looking forward to the ride to the airport and even less so the good byes. But it will come and it will pass, before we know it, it will be another month or two closer to the end of 2018. This year has just flown by if you take a look back.

Let me tell you a bit of my holiday highlights!

I went and visited my grandparents who does not live with us. I got to say hello and good bye in one visit. That was not my favorite part of the visit, but what was, was the quality time spent together even while washing the dished or preparing delicious food. My other grandparents who live with us also spoiled me with love and delicious food whenever we went and had a meal with them. How lucky am I to still have both my grandparents on both my mom and dad’s side?! Something I definitely do not take for granted. Every day with them is a blessing!

(unfortunately don’t have photos of my other gran or grandparents)

One of my other favorite memories made this holiday was reconnecting with an old friend and building an even stronger friendship. I made a friend for life all over again! Although our catchup sessions were few, it was definitely full of the best laughs and chats! From breakfasts at Mugg & Bean, huge ice cream treats at Moody Cow to even “arguing” about who gets to pay the bill. Haha and those moments when instead of “giving” a gift, we got to basically “swap” gifts as we both thought of giving each other something special. Those are moments I will never forget!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got to dance and teach the kids for a few weeks. I missed them and just to see their faces and feel their hugs, was something special. They made me laugh and I always knew that whenever I felt tired, they will give me new energy….then take it away as kids are also tiring. Spending time with my ballet teacher, Madame Slou and going for dinner at her house are all moments and memories I will always hold dear to my heart.

I got to spend some time with other relatives as well and I’m very blessed with a family like mine. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in one day like I did when spending time with them. From making pizzas in the kitchen, playing games in front of the fireplace, to having a braai on the stoep with the most delicious food. The company I got out of all these gatherings were priceless!

My last getaway while at home was our short trip down to Jeffreys Bay. My dad and some of his friends rode the Baviaans 24hr mountain bike marathon single stage race of 230km. From Willowmore in the heart of the Eastern Cape Karoo through the world heritage site and remote Baviaans kloof and finished in Jeffreys Bay in the surfing capital of South Africa.

Our journey started Thursday (16^thAug) morning early at 6am.

On our way….

We traveled down to our first stop over location which was a beautiful farm called Glen Avon on Somerset East. This farm has a rich history and here are some very interesting facts:

We lived in the ‘Hart cottage’ which was built in 1817.

In the winter

In the summer

“Robert Hart, widely known as the first English-speaking South African, left the land of his birth, Scotland, aged eighteen, with the 98^thArgyllshire and Sutherland Highlanders, to occupy the Cape of Good Hope in 1795.”

“His regiment then took him to India and back to England where in 1804 he married Hannah May Tamplin.” “Robert Hart returned to the Cape in 1806, being involved in the second and final occupation by the British.”

“In 1817 he was put in charge of Somerset Farm which supplied wheat and fodder to the military in the Eastern province. It was Robert Hart who welcomed the 1820 settlers and helped the Scottish settlers who had been allocated to settle up the Baviaans River Valley in the Bedfort district.”

“It is said that by 1817 he had built himself a wattle and daub hunting lodge on what would later become Glen Avon. This lodge, which we now know as the Hart Cottage, has changed little since then. Lennox Brown, Hart’s great-grandson, lived in Hart Cottage in the 1920’s and it’s during this time that the kitchen and bathroom areas were built on.” “Somerset Farm was closed in 1825 and the village of Somerset East founded. He was an active and prominent member of the community of Somerset East right until his death in 1867 at the grand old age of ninety.”

There are now seven generations of Robert Hart’s descendants living and growing up calling Glen Avon, home.

In the winter

In the summer

The Glen Avon Water Mill:

“The mill was built by Robert Hart, owner of the farm Glen Avon, between 1822 and 1825. Machinery and equipment were shipped out from England to Port Elizabeth and then transported via the old Zuurberg Pass to Glen Avon, a distance of some 200km. Here it was assembled and installed, an incredible feat for those days. In 1861 a new and bigger iron wheel was installed (30 ft in diameter) and is still in fairly good repair. It is presumed that the first and original wheel was a wooden wheel as there are no remnants of it to be found.”

Even though it was just for one night, I really enjoyed staying in the Hart Cottage on Glen Avon Farm!

The next day we made our way to Willowmore where the race will begin. Arriving there and meeting up with the rest of the group, the men and two ladies went and registered. After registration we all went to a farm just outside of town where we met another lovely couple who opened their home to us all. We had lots of good talks and laughs and after dinner everyone made their way to bed. Early the next morning after a delicious breakfast, all of us headed back into town. All the cyclist got ready and once they left to start gathering at the starting point, I jumped into one of my dad’s friend’s car, my mom in another, my brother in ours and one of the other men’s wife in theirs and us four were on our way down to Jeffreys while we would only be seeing the rest of the group early the next morning.

Sunday morning came and 3am the men were back, and as quickly as they could, headed for the bed with sore and tired bodies. The rest of that day was a beautiful and relaxed day. We got to go to the beach, although it was more for the photos to proof we were there than swimming. Also, I was trying to catch some sort of a tan before heading back but I think I failed miserably.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my little getaway to the sea. Early Monday morning and we started the long journey home, and in one go, made it home at about 19:30/20:00.

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And that was basically my holiday summed up. I did also go and watched a movie with my mom, which was in a sense very spontaneous. We made it a quick last mother and daughter bonding experience. Watching the new Afrikaans movie ‘Stroomop’ after another good friend of mine recommended it. We sat in that theatre with some tears rolling down our faces at times. It was definitely worth the watch and every woman watching it will take something from it because it touches the heart in so many ways. I even felt closer to my own mom, and we are already very close and always have been, this just added a cherry on top.

Now it’s time to go pack my bags. I will be spending my last weekend with my family. We are even planning to go to the ‘Rock the Cradle’ and see what’s there. A distraction from the raw emotions surfacing as Monday draws near and I have to say good bye. I would also like to thank everyone who made my two-month holiday so special. I will always remember this one and looking forward to all the other holidays in the future!

May everyone have a wonderful and special weekend ahead. Please subscribe and share with your friends and family. There’s lots of exciting content to come! Who knows, maybe even a mini giveaway around the corner!? So, make sure to be subscribed not to miss out!

Talk to you all later!

To Live is To Dance

xoxo