Aug 23 2012

Home again with great memories.


We have just arrived back home, after a 7 hour drive from Johannesburg. We left quite late, as we attended our granddaughter’s ‘Brilliance Award’ ceremony and stayed for a delicious lunch afterwards. She achieved the highest mark in South Africa for her sociology exam. Her college did so well and had 14 students who were given this award in different subjects. Her younger brother was sitting behind us, cheering her on as she went up to accept her certificate. She has two more years of schooling, and is hoping  to study medicine at one of the top universities in England when she graduates from college.

Our drive back was thankfully uneventful, although we did see some insane driving along the way. I wish people would realise that a car isn’t a fun toy, but a lethal weapon, when driven recklessly. The winter dryness was very evident as we drove through the Free State, but the scenery was still really beautiful.

Our son and his daughter Sienna got back to New Jersey today, and he sent me a message saying, “Had a decent flight home, except for the giant Croatian cruise captain who kept falling asleep on my shoulder; definitely something to be said for travelling business class.” 🙂 He went on to say how much he enjoyed his trip out to see us all, and that it was “the trip of a lifetime.”

I have wonderful memories, lots of photos, and a pair of tiny purple socks which need washing, to remind me of their visit. 😉

Now all that remains, is for me to finish unpacking,  load the washing machine, and then it’s off to bed. Tomorrow I’ll attempt to catch up with you all, as I wade through my 300+ emails. 😉 I also have lots of photos to share over the next few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

59 comments on “Home again with great memories.”

  3. This should be a proud of moments… Congratulations to her. Good Luck and my best wishes for her new life. Blessing and Happiness to you dear AD and to your lovely family, Thanks and Love, nia

  10. You must be super proud of your granddaughter – keeping my fingers crossed that she gets into med school in the UK. Oh and welcome home and happy washing, the laundry that is 🙂 Like your pics – so that’s what the Free State looks like, sort of?

    • Thanks, Marco. Washing is well underway, and the sun is shining brightly. 🙂 Thanks for the good wishes for Tamsyn. Yes, the Free State has some great features, but it’s not so free when you add up the tolls. 😦

      • AH the FS is one of those provinces, is it? On the bright side, every load of washing is one less? Currently I’m up to my ears in ironing – how good are your ironing skills *wink-wink*?

  11. Welcome back AD! Glad you had a wonderful time with your family and we look forward to all the photo’s etc. Your granddaughter looks so much like you!
    Have a wonderful rest!
    Regards
    GAIL

  14. Congratulations on your granddaughter’s brilliance! Sounds like you had a fabulous time and a long, but lovely, drive home. I’m sure it feels great to get home. Hope you can get a good rest!

  17. Wonderful news for Gran what an achievement for the grand daughter,,, yes our road users really need educating… Coming back from Bronkies cruising at 110, an audi and merc flew past at God knows what speed… I greeted them again about 3 Kilos further on where they where both being ticketed… blew my hooter and waved…

    • Yes, I always hope that there’s a speed trap just down the road, and occasionally my prayers are answered. I once saw a guy who got caught in two speed traps about a kilometre apart. Made my day. 😆

  19. Welcome home – er, to this one, anyway.
    That is simply brilliant regarding g’dtr. You must be SO proud! Does she have a favourite Uni she wants to try for?
    Ah, those familiar Vrystaat scenes!

  20. So happy to hear of all the wonders of your visit. Waiting breathlessly for more details and photos. But first of all…. rest up and catch your breath! We’ll be here when you’re ready.

    • Thanks, Gunta. “The wonders of my visit” sounds as though it would be good for Side View’s weekend theme, which is “The seven wonders of my world.” 🙂

      • Don’t know how you manage to keep up with all the themes. Just the one weekly photo challenge is about all I’m up for and sometimes it’s a stretch. The current series I’m doing on the parks is taking me way more time than I imagined. Just putting together a few paragraphs is taking me forever. How on EARTH do you do it?

    • I only do them if I get an idea, or a photo come into my head, the moment I read them. It seems that I often do. I can’t think of a single photo for Ailsa’s travel theme, “Silhouettes,” which is killing me. 😆

      • Seems to me that your granddaughter’s accomplishment might certainly count as one wonderful wonder of your world! As for themes or challenges, I generally have to scroll through my thousands of photos for inspiration. Or, if one does come to mind, finding it can be a problem. [Note to self: I really need to get more organized!!!] I’m waiting on pins and needles for your post about the recent visit.

  23. Wow – you have a beautiful and intelligent granddaughter there!
    I know what you mean about crazy drivers – we saw a few of those on our road trip this week.
    You must be very proud of your family and I’m so glad you had a wonderful time 🙂

    • Thanks so much, Dianne. Those kamikaze drivers make me so irate, and in this country, they drive like that, just because they can, and there’s not much law enforcement to discourage them .

  24. Congrats from me to your granddaughter’s ‘Brilliance Award’. Can not wait for u to post pictures after u did a bit of resting and unpacking.

  25. such a brilliant and beautiful family! love the wide open spaces of the Free State, enjoy your quiet time now as you resettle after your precious visitors 🙂

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