Gorgeous Gifts

Good afternoon!

 

This first week back has been very strange. Tall Girl had a couple of days off school with a bad tum, Big Trouble was very vocal about his displeasure at starting school nursery, I had a cold that meant I missed a most excellent bonfire party, then I mysteriously hurt my back and have been hobbling about since Sunday.

 

The upshot is that even though I have a few lovely things I want to blog about I haven't been up to taking pictures or sitting at the computer all week. Urg I hope it gets better soon because it is very wearing and very boring.

 

As if to make up for a mainly crappity crap week I have received some lovely and most unexpected gifts.

 

Firstly my lovely Tall Girl made me a pretty bracelet and wrapped it in a carefully upcycled piece of cereal packet. A real treasure!

Next I received these pretty post cards from Jane at Teawagontales. She blogged months ago about collecting postcards with her boys and I suggested a little postcard swap. I sent her a couple from St Helena, and she sent these with a lovely parcel of goodies for making her trademark little dolls. When I am back to normal I shall have great fun playing with them.

Then a lovely island friend spotted this beauty in the sale of a local shop. I had much admired hers a few months ago. So now we have matching enamel tea pots. I may feel some cosy making coming on in the very near future.

It is massive! Six or eight good mugfuls so perfect for hosting tea fuelled crafty evenings.

Lastly a little guest has arrived from Susi at Lilla Luise. More about Clara next time...

So thank you, thank you ladies for injecting a dose of loveliness into my week.

xx

Early bird

We had a splendid and supremely relaxing time on the RMS St Helena. So relaxed in fact that I didn't take any snaps until the last morning.

I had planned to get up early to watch us approach the island but I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep so I got up VERY early! It was just me, the Chief Officer of the watch and the lookout.

4.45am: See those white dots? Those are lights at the airport construction site. The Island is still 10+ miles away!

An hour later and the camera can finally pick up the outline of the island. Eyes are so much more sensitive, I had been able to see it for about half an hour.

It actually took me somewhat by surprise that the place really existed!

We approached from the South East and then made our way anticlockwise round to Jamestown on the Northern side. Normally when we go out on trips on the little boats we stick to the Northern, more sheltered side so it was very interesting to see a different view from the sea.

Turks Cap

The back of the Barn

Sugar Loaf

The back of the Barn and Flagstaff

Can you see the line where the sea becomes calmer as we move round to the Northern side?

James Bay



Nature was showing off!

Jamestown

Soon we were moored in the 'Road' in James Bay and we were off - back to our favourite crazy rock.

It's good to be home.

xx

Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden

What does a family of five need after a 4 hour train ride, a 1.5 hour taxi ride and a 10 hour overnight flight? 

 

Space!

Space to run.

Space to jump.

Space to step.

Space with sculpture.

Space with benches to lie on.

Space with fabulous planting.

Space with wildlife.

Space with a view over Cape Town.

Space hidden under the eastern side of Table Mountain.

Space with a hothouse.

Space with amazing bonsais.

Thank you Kirstenbosch for giving us the space we needed to regroup in Cape Town.

Oh, and all that adventuring might just mean you need space to fall asleep in the middle of your carpet picnic...

xx