Day 1 Welcome England - Traveling with Teens (11-12 Des 2022)

12 December 2022 Swindon 

 What a wonderful wonderful privilege to be travelling again with our beautiful family!! Or at least to start our European adventure with 3 out of 4 of our brood! (but more about that later..)

 After months and months of working hard at our day-jobs, copious numbers of hours researching and planning, vision casting, declarations and ….and heaps and heaps of godly unmerited favour…..we stepped onto our BA flight, departing Cape Town, in a humungous thunder shower!! When we left our hometown of Riebeek Kasteel, the thermometer touched-touched on 30 degrees Centigrade. A portfolio of instructions, was left on the kitchen table to brief the team of house-sitters, who offered to move in whilst we are away. Our bags were jam packed by the best packer in the world…me…and we were on our way. 

 Without any hassle we were quickly checked in. We even had time to sit down for dinner before we had to board our plane. Those of you who have travelled with children, will understand the relief of a relaxed, un-rushed start to journey like this…for sure, Arno and I were thankful, because we have experience the other side on numerous occasions in the past. But, THIS TIME…we are travelling with teenagers, for the first time…and we are loveing it!!!!. No one falling off trolleys, nappies to be changed or tired crying!! Sjo…we have arrived in the promised land!!! The joy is real, people!!! 

 Thomas was flying on a one-way ticket to England, so we had to check him in separately.  Arno could not pre-book his seat, because he is still under-age (younger than 18) BUT, we got the best support of the BA ground personnel. They went out of their way to help us to all sit together. Well done!! 

Nina and Philippa was so excited about our flight...and were not disappointed. A lovely new aircraft, with state of the art inflight entertainment, excellent crew and on-board service. On arrival, we picked-up our luggage, excited terminal 3, straight on to a rental-car shuttle bus, which swooped us to the Alamo port.(We did layered up before leaving the airport buildings, because the African heat was now replaced with a frosty situation!! We later heard that, because of the extreme weather conditions, may flights were delayed or suspended and the trains were also cancelled!!) Arno upgraded our car to a Ford Galaxy, because our five plus 1 bag…was maybe a bit too big for our initial choice of a Volkswagen 7 seater. Again we got the best early morning service and assistance from Andrew. He was still smiling and waving as Arno was ‘hopping’ us away, as he was getting the hang of the brake-acceleration combination!!

 We made our way over to Reading, hoping that we could pop into an activity gear shop called , Decathlon, quickly. But alas, after negotiating the now nine o’clock traffic, it took us a while longer than expected. The plan was to pick up a few pairs of gloves, ski-socks and most importantly, water prove shoes for Nina and Thomas. Success!! Next up, car-pick-nick. The bag of ‘Spens-en-Pootjies’ beskuit was fished out of a carry-on bag ,together with McD’s hot chocolates and coffees it went down a treat. Onwards to Swindon!!

 We’ve met Sharon and Lennie in 2006. From Kilmarnock, Scotland, they have moved down to England in 2016. We were so excited to see them again. Their son, Findlay, attends a little Christian school and now they have found a new South African community of friends! So much so, that Sharon’s favourite shop is now the South African shop around the corner!!! With long hugs, Lennie welcomed us into their cosy three story house. Before long, Robert and Doreen, his parents(whom we also know) popped in with arms filled with fruit loaves, soup and treats!! A proper British welcome.

 Just before nightfall, at 4:30pm( yes that’s when the northern hemisphere is starting to turn the streetlamps on) we braved the minus 2, icy footpaths, and took Chester (the Shaw’s four-legged friend) to the park. Sharon and Findlay were still on their way home after school. Schools start at 8:30am and finish up at 3:30 pm. A long day, leaving home in the dark and returning home in the dark, at this time of the year. But the dancing bright Christmas lights and decorations everywhere, give a streets and house a very enchanting feel. Cold and dark outside, warm and light and cosy and happy inside. So special. 

 With all the cancelled trains, we were waiting for news from our precious Alana through-out the day. At last she confirmed that she will be arriving at the Swindon station at 5pm. Our excitement to be re-united with her, after 10 months, knew no bounds. Arno and Lennie went to pick her and Linea (her German travelling 'sister') up. What a surreal moment, when she stepped over the threshold…. Familiarity kicked in straight away, but also still… the weirdness of actually being able to hold her in my arms and hugging her…it was just wonderful!! 

 With the whole family Shaw at home, and the Therons re-united, cooking started while we caught up. We laughed until our tummies hurt, sharing memories and connecting our stories from way back till the present. What a first day!! All glory to God for keeping our Alana safe and blessing us with a smooth journey from South Africa to England.

2-9 July Homeless....... with a smile

Homeless...with a smile!!!
9th of July 2014

 Yesterday the well-looked-forward-to-event has officialy happened! We are blessed to have a warm comfy bed with neighbours and children well looked after, so Monday was spend focussing on cleaning the house to new standards!!!

Alana opening the front door in December 2005

I took the kids round for a final farewell  on Tuesday morning,

Locking the front door one last time...Full circle - 8.5 years

last pic infront of the red door and we delivered the house keys to the new owners( 5 doors up our street). Their moving van was nearly loaded. With delight we could witness them moving into their new home by 10:30am. The most stressfree move I have ever heard of!! Praise God!! 
























This house move were very well premediated!!!! When we heard that the Tour de France will make a grand depart on Brittish soil, we had the diaries out!! In order to attend this bucket-list event, we had to plan our international removal company to do their business nearly a week prior to our actual moving date. We were as ready as you can be for their arrival last week Wednesday (2nd and 3rd of July) What an amazing occurance: there were even space for the car roof-top box in the container and a few of the bigger children's toys.

The 3 gentlemen did such an awesome job packing. So all our personal and household effects wil be in storage till early December. Together with the Cruiser, it'll be shipped then to arrive in Cape Town at the start of January 2015. Well, we could not provided them with a delivery address just yet, but that also will be sorted out in due time!!!

4-5July King of the Mountain festival, Muker, North Yorkshire                                                    Tour de Fance(Grand depart weekend) - Arno has been a relentless Tour supporter for years. Over the last few years I got quite hooked onto the drama myself. So when we realise we will be so close to the action, we just had to be part of it. What a beautiful drive into the North Yourshire hills and valleys. We arrived at the festival ground, but found the organisation a bit iffy. Eventually got sorted out with a place to park and to pitch our tent, but needed to drag our gear through the main street of Muker....we were not the onely ones..... It seemed like that was normal!! Included in our weekend camping ticket was main stage events and a BIG screen to keep the action alive...if not cycling, football world cup qualifiers!! The girlies were etertained in the craft and arts tent or in the children's play area and Thomas was glued to the screen...following all the happenings. The rain stayed away till be were bedded down for the night. We woke up on Saturday to glorious sunshine. Expectation in the air. Arno was aching for a bike to join the multitudes...he had to join us mortals walking up the Buttertubs Pass.

Waiting it out on the Buttertubs Pass

The kids did amazing...walking quite a distance and bracing a freezing mountain breeze (mummy did not anticipate this, so not so well prepared for the cold) Then eventually the fun cars and vans and support crew caravan came through. We were all waving and jumping about the collect the freebeez. Then the riders followed!!!

Here they come!!!!

What an sight!!!! Thy were spread out a bit and we had time to sook( Scots for 'souk') it all up. The best bit for me was the cameradery amongst all the spectators; walking to the various viewing point and walking back to the festival grounds.

Everybody just flopped down infront of the BIG screen to witness the final few kilometers....and our hero's and promising winner's almighty crash out- within spitting distance of the finnishing line!! For that matter Mark Cavendish (alias Cave) crashed so well...he could not continue with the tour any further. Dissappointment!!!!

Breaking up camp at the King of The Mountain festival, Muker.

The whole experience was just awesome...and to think that it is just the start of many more adventures to come over the next 6 months.

I'll leave you with a wee saying by Chareles Swain: 

             Home is not merely four squeare walls,                                                                                                  
             Though with pictures hung and gilded;                                                                                 
             Home is where affection calls-                                                                                               
             Filled with shrines the heart hath builded.

Finn McCool and a Big Roman Stronghold

With the Easter school holidays providing us with a few more opportunities to explore, we embraced life and depart ed on our second sea voyage of 2014.

This involved driving the 20min to Troon harbour and boarding a ferry to take us across the Irish Seas!! The 2 hour journey went plain sailing(!!) and we arrived just after lunch time in Larne, Northern Ireland.

Emerald Isle

 The purpose of our short weekend adventure, was to present God's amazing handiwork to the children...the Giant's Causeway.

The Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder steeped in legend and folklore. The 40 000 interlocking basalt columns is the result of intense volcanic activity, of cooling and shrinking of successive lava flows which happened 60 million years ago.....or did it???

With these extraordinary hexagon shaped rocks you can expect some Irish myth and legends will be carved into the culture of a nation. 

Here is Thomas's account of the story behind the Giant's Causeway:

The Myth Of The Giants Causeway

Finn McCool is a great Irish giant. Now he had millions of fights with a Scottish giant called Benadonner. Though they got nowhere near each other because they were on different islands.

One day Finn had had enough fights with Benadonner, so Finn built the Causeway to get to the isle of Staffa. When Finn got there he got the fright of his life Benadonner was huge then Finn ran back across to Ireland but Benadonner just spotted him and chased him over the Causeway, but while Finn was running away he lost his shoe.

When Finn got home he told his wife about Benadonner. Then his wife gave him the baby toy and said “ act as a baby”.So when Benadonner came to their house Finn's wife welcomed him in and said “Finn is out hunting”. Then Benadonner heard a wailing sound. Now Benadonner is very nosy and peered trough the curtains and thought if the baby is that big the dad is even bigger. So he ran away crushing the Causeway behind him.  

We were blessed to stay in the caravan of the Well's family between Port Rush and Port Steward and doubly blessed with Julie and Adrian who joined us in their homeland, for the weekend.

With Julie and Adrian Wells

Arno secretly organised the babysitters and I was taken out for my birthday dinner to the legendary Ice Box Restaurant in Port Steward. As we were sitting at our cozy table, overlooking the North Seas, we again wondered why we had never been in this beautiful place before??

Reflecting on our 14 years in the UK, we were reminded of all the wonderful places we have seen...and how there is a time and a place for everything. Not to think to much about lost opportunities and moments that are no more.... but focussing on soaking up the moment and enjoying it!! And that is just what we did!!!

All too soon we were woken up by the alarm clock on Monday morning(5am) to catch our ferry back. Yes, my birthday this year...had two more hours added to it!!! Yay....

Short and sweet was our wee visit to Ireland and awesome to have witnessed nature's gift to us.

Easter holidays were far from over... we had the lovely McPhail-family-of-six-from-Ceres to stay for the actually easter weekend. We have known these guys since 2002. Felt so privilege to have shared many of life's moments with them. We are always encourage by their faith and strength and their creative ways of pursuit in an eco friendly lifestyle. Luckily we will meet them one last time at Port Ban before we depart, so at least this good bye was not THAT final yet!!

With Stephen, Leigh, Ben, Iona and twins Noah and Oran

A flying visit to Hadrian's wall was next on the agenda....carpe diem. We are totally take control of every minute!! WE've made the final decision to go, round 3pm and by 5pm the car was packed(with all our camping gear, kids and dog) ready to roll. Beside exploring this ancient Roman stronghold, we also wanted to give our new 4-man VANGO lightweight travel tent a wee practice run. (We tried to pitch it inside the living room in January, but this tent actually needs pegs to hold it all in position, so that was a bit of a challenge....!!)

It was still light when we got to Herding Hill Farm campsite, just outside Haltwhistle. Pitching a tent for the first time is always a bit of a challenge, but we did ourselves proud and all the guide ropes were secured before darkness!!

Luckily we've packed the dawn sleeping bags.... we needed them. It was COLD. Arno and Alana did an awesome job of getting our meat barbecued, but we just gobbled it up quickly and then got ourselves wrapped up inside.

Tent feedback – fantastic. All 6 of us had a good sleep, not squashed and just perfect for taking with us on a trip around the world!!! The tent has a rather big porch area which was so good to prepare the breakfast in, preventing those crumbs and lost cornflakes from finding a way into our sleeping bags....At 8kg in weight for all of that, mama is smiling!!

The campsite was so lovely!! I will totally recommend staying there. Even if you own a caravan or just want to relax in a bunkhouse with friends (do not forget the tee-pees, some with jacuzzi...), there is a option for your style of doing the outdoors your way!! Wonderful kids play are and beautiful country side walks. We were really disappointed that we did not have more time to spent in this amazing place.

We were blown away by Hadrian's wall it self. 2000 year ago an imposing Roman Army were marching along this 73-mile long frontier. This used to be the northern edge of this powerful Roman Empire. The first stone was laid in 127AD and took round 6 years to complete, so that made this wall dates from the time of Christ's time on earth!!! Wow. That's perspective for you. Each of the 17 forts housed round about 600 soldiers.Although many sections of the wall does not exits today anymore, there are awesome very well preserved sections. We explore the section between the Birdoswald Roman Fort and the Housesteads Roman Fort.

There are many different theories why this wall was built; to keep the Empire protected from the barbarians form the north, or to reflect the power of Rome, and was used as a political point by Hadrian (Emperor who instructed the built) After Hadrian's death in 138, the new emperor, Antoninus Pius essentially abandoned the wall. The region near the wall remained peaceful for most of the rest of the 3rd century. It is thought that some in the garrison may have married and integrated into the local community throughout the years. In time the wall was abandoned and fell into ruin. Over the centuries the stone was reused in other local buildings.Hadrian's Wall was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

We were really so blessed with this opportunity to experience and present this ancient history and magnificent creation to our children.

Easter 2014 = basket filled with memories!!!!