Daan en Esna

Hallo Everyone

Well, it is definitely the tourist season in London. It is summer and it is nice and hot. It rains mostly during the night or early morning, so we still have beautiful days. There are loads of activities on in London. More of my friends came to visit. This time from South Africa. Esna and I studied together in South Africa many moons ago.

We started our sightseeing of London with the hop-on hop-off bus tours you get in most cities in the UK. It is the quickest and easiest way to see as much of a city in the shortest time. It's very handy, because your ticket is valid for 24 hours. You can hop on/off as many times as you want. It takes you past all the major sites and tells you about the history of what you are seeing. Even I learned new things about London. I will recommend it to everyone.

We also visited Covent Garden. A beautiful area of London with loads of artists and interesting market stalls. This time there was loads of Malaysian market stalls. They also had the most beautiful flower displays, but because Esna and I both had a hay fever attack, we had to stay clear. There was also several stalls with Malaysian clothing. I really enjoyed watching the dancers.

The next morning we started of at the Tower of London. The place where many people met their end in the past. One of the most famous occupants of the Tower was Henry VIII. Here you can see his clothes of amour.

Three of his wives were executed at the Tower.

It was also the day of Prince Phillip's birthday. That is why the Beefeater was in ceremonial cloths.

We also saw the crown jewels, but were not aloud to take any photos.

We also went to Oxford for a day.

A girl named Alice used to buy sweets from this shop. She inspired the story "Alice in Wonderland"

Photos taken at the Natural History Museum. These heads are trophies that warriors use to hang around their necks. If you have killed one of the enemy, the skull was removed and the skin was heated over warm stones. It would shrunk, but still keep its form You can still recognise the person.

London at night.

Camping in the rain

Camping Weekend:26 - 28 May 2007

The whole week before this weekend every weather forecast warned us that it's going to rain. They told us not to plan any braais (BBQs) and they said that there will be very strong winds on Sunday. Did we listen to them? No!!!!! We are strong and we can survive anything. Well, that is what we thought before we packed the car, including 2 disposable BBQs.

It was a Bank holiday weekend in the UK. That means we had a public holiday on Monday. My work rota was also very kind to me and I was free all weekend. That's why Jubilie, Maretha, Henk and I decided to go away for the weekend. Sarah and John joined us for parts of the weekend.

FLTR: Jubilie, Maretha, Sarah, Henk and John

We did not want to go too far and Jubilie knew about this nice camping site. It is actually still part of London. It is on the outskirts of London and you can reach it by underground trains. It is in the Epping Forest.

We arrived at the camping site at around 11:00 on Saturday. We pitched the tents, made same picnic food and went for a walk in the forest. I will allow the photos to tell you how beautiful the forest is.There is a lake not too far from the campsite and we stopped there for our picnic.That evening Henk and Sarah had to attend a function in London and John had to go home. That is when all the fun started. IT STARTED RAINING!!!!! It started with a soft drizzle that gradually became stronger. We had to stay in the tent and abandon our plan to have a BBQ. We cooked some food in the tent and hoped that the next day would be better. But I have to say that it did not stop raining till Monday morning. According to the newspapers, during the 36 hours it rained as much as it usually rain in a month.

Every meal had to be prepared in the tent. It brought back memories of a trip through Europe where we had to prepare several of our meals in the tent because of rain.

The Sunday all of us had to be in London for different reasons. I was the first person that was able to return to the camp, but as it was raining I decided to go home and wait for the rest of the group. We drove back to the campsite at around 19:30 that evening while it was still raining. Yes, it does sound a bit stupid.

We had a lovely meal in a pub before we returned to the campsite. By now strong winds were ripping leaves and branches from the trees, but our tents were still standing. We went to bed while it was raining and the next morning it was still raining. It never stopped that night. Water started seeping into the tent from underneath us. Poor Henk suffered the most as his bed was completely wet.

The girls' tent was the smallest tent at the campsite, but it survived the storm and they were still dry and happy the next morning. Another campsite nearby suffered a lot of damage during that night. Several tents were blown away. Our campsite was very lucky as all the tents survived the night.

Yes, both Jubilie and Maretha slept in this tent.

Big was our surprise when we lifted the tent to find about 20-30 earthworms underneath.

All of them trying to escape from drowning. Water came out of the spot where Henk slept when I stepped on it. The ground could just not absorb any more water.

We all had a wonderful weekend, in spite of the rain. It rained for the rest of the Monday and it became very cold. We had to switch the central heating on again. Very unusual for the end of May. We can't wait to go camping again.

Hope you are all well.

Take care

Jaco

Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show:25 May 2007

If you like flowers and gardening, a trip to Chelsea is like a trip to Mecca. You have to do this pilgrimage at least once in your life. The danger is that you will want to go back every year after the first time. Well, this year was my first time. I always promised myself that I will go and this year I managed to get the tickets in time. Yes, it does sell out and there is no hope to get tickets at the gate. I went to the show with Henk vd Meer and Roelof and we could not stop talking about what we saw.

The Chelsea Flower Show is maybe the biggest flower show in the UK and definitely the best known one. People come from all over the world to display their gardens and flowers. South Africa had several displays at the show.

It is incredible to see how they make use of flowers and plants to create the most beautiful displays.

It gave me some wonderful ideas for my garden (will publish some photos of my garden once it looks a bit better). I got very excited when I saw some South African plants.

Also got very excited when I saw the "windpomp" used in one of the gardens. (See my blog named South Africa: January 2007). It reminded me so much about home. They say it is the small things in life...

The garden I liked the most is shown in the next photo.

It contains all my favourite plants. I already have a tree fern, several other ferns, Japanese acers and hostas in my garden, but it does not look nearly as nice as this garden. Maybe it's the bed that makes all the difference. I would say this garden inspired me to take my gardening skills to a new level. Watch this space! I just wonder how they manage to have hostas without any damaged leafs. Everyone of you who likes gardening will know that every garden pest just loves hostas and you always have some leafs with teethmarks.

Another garden that I liked a lot is the next one.

Just look at the fish tanks. Very nice!!!!

The next photo shows some Moroccan candle holders that stole my heart. The biggest one is over a meter high. It is so beautiful! Now you know what you could buy me for my next birthday.

I had a wonderful time at the show and will definetly be there again next year. Let me know if I should book some tickets for you as well.

David and Erin's visit

David and Erin's Visit: 11-13 May 2007

David and Erin are friends that came to visit from Pittsburgh in America. David and I met about a year and a half ago when he was working with me for a period of time. We became friends and stayed in touch after his return to the USA. I was very excited when I got the email saying that they were coming to visit. Of course we had to do all the touristy stuff. First we had to visit Abbey Road. If you are a fan of The Beatles you would know about the road. That is where they had their studio. on the cover of one of their records they walk across a road: ABBEY ROAD. I hope I impressed you with all my knowledge.

Erin and Jaco in Regent's Park.

Jaco and David at Trafalgar Square

Then of course we had to get the classic telephone photos. No trip to London is complete without a telephone box photo.

David having lunch in Leicester Square. This was in the restaurant I had my first meal in London.

On the beach next to the Thames. St Paul's Cathedral is in the background.

The London Eye and the Houses of Parliament (with the BIG Ben) in the background.

Using the Underground.

Then finally a trip on a red bus.

David and Erin, the photo is for you. Wish we had a longer time together. Hope to see you again soon.

Well, for you who have not been in London before, come and visit soon. It's much better in real life than on photos. For you who have been here already. Come again. There are still more to see.

Love you all

Jaco

Mens Weekend Away and General news

Hallo Everybody


Well, it was some time since I posted something on this blog. Not much happened after the previous post, but I have some new photos to show you.


At the end of March a group of men from the church I attend, went away for the weekend. I'm going to cheat a bit. I'm just giving you the link to the church blog. http://cityofpeacecc.blogspot.com/2007/05/cop-mens-cycling-weekend.html Feel free to look at the rest of the church blog. It will give you more of an idea of the community I live in.

I have come to the end of my 5 year work permit. I have applied for Indefinite Leave To Remain, but am still waiting for the result. Should not be a problem. Then I'm free to stay in the country without the restriction of a work permit. My South African passport is also full. I'm still waiting for the new one to arrive. Can take up to 4 months to get it.

Summer is here. We are experiencing very nice warm days.

There is not much else to tell you at this moment. I'm looking forward to several groups of friends visiting from all over the world. Will post some photos for you of all the touristy things we do.

Take care
Jaco

Getting Older

I celebrated my 3rd birthday on the 18th of March. A friend told me that he never gets older than 9. As soon as he is suppose to turn 10 he starts all over again. So I am 3.

A small group of us went for a meal on the 17th. There were several reasons for a celebration. Sue, from the Israel trip and the lady who took Neale and Ilse's wedding photos, (see 2nd blog) was in London for work. Neale got older. I think he is about 9 now. It was also the first time some of the Israel people saw Neale and Ilse after the wedding. What better reasons do you need to get together? I am not going to say much about this meal. I will allow the photos to tell you the story.


From front left: Sally, Andrew, Minnaar, Marlene, Me, Jubilie, Liesl, Ilse and Neale.



From front left: Ruth, Sally, Andrew, Anita, Minnaar, Henk vdM and Jubilie.



From front left: Ruth, Sally, Andrew, Anita, Minnaar, Henk vdM , Henk B, Me, Marlene, Jubilie, Liesl and Byron.


Refreshment.

Anita, Minnaar and Henk vdM. Minnaar is the 4th person in our house.

My actual birthday was a day of fun and relaxation. I've spent it with the best company you can ask for. (If I did not spent it with you, it was because you were too far away.)

My day started at 06:00. I woke up and realised my dad would phone anytime soon. I could not go back to sleep, so I got up and made myself some coffee. I was suppose to phone my housemates to ask for coffee, but I thought it was a bit too early to wake them up. At 07:00 my dad and brother phoned. They did phone me "late in the day", because they did not want to wake me up too early. At was 09:00 in South Africa.

By 08:00 my housemates woke up and ordered me to sit. They prepared a lovely fried breakfast. Once again they ordered me out of the kitchen and started baking.




Jubilie and Liesl. The 2 housemates that did all the cooking and baking.

I went to church and was greeted with more : "Happy Birthdays". After church we were suppose to go out, but winter is back in the UK. It turned cold again over the weekend and they did actually forecast snow for some parts of England. A disaster as most trees are already in bloom. (see previous blog) We went back to Henk vdM's house for the most delicious left overs and helped him to finish of the tiling in his kitchen. After that no one had the courage to go out in the cold and rain anymore. We decided to invest some money. OK, it was only a game of Monopoly, but it did feel real. I won of course. I owned some hotels in some dodgy areas of London, (we played a London version) but some people frequently visited my hotels. Of course it lead to bankruptcy. What do you expect if you spent your money in areas like that. That is except if you invest your money wisely in hotels.





The beginning of the end. Rudolf, who started playing Monopoly with us, retired to his room to phone his "mum". He handed his properties over to Marlene to control it for him.





Henk happy that some bad luck came my way.






Look at all the money in front of me. Marlene is getting nervous.




Henk declared himself bankrupt and Marlene had to follow. Robert is looking to see what his wife can cook for him.

We had waffles and ice cream for dinner, before I returned home for the cake that was baked in the morning. After an episode of Grey's Anatomy and CSI New York the day was over and we all went to bed tired but happy.


Henk and Rudolf preparing waffle dough.

It was a lovely day and I want to thank everyone who made it special for me. Thank you for all the phone calls and text messages.

Love
Jaco

PS. Contact me if you need any advice on how to invest your money. (Monopoly money only)