Today it’s raining, and the sea and sky are almost the same shade of drab grey. I thought I’d tell you this, as I don’t want you imagining that I spend all my days swinging in a hammock under blue skies. π
You’ll be glad to know that I survived Cruel Niel’s shape class with only a few aches and pains and wobbly knees. I’d almost forgotten what a tyrant this athletic little devil in a red T-shirt can be. The music is of the kind which makes me turn tail outside such stores as ‘Hollister’ and ‘Abercrombie & Fitch’, even though I’m just longing to go in and try on a pair of their skinny jeans. Their choice of music should tell me that the clothes inside the store are meant for youngsters, rather thanΒ this mature woman with sensitive ears. As we hapless victims bent, stretched, reached for the sky, touched toes, did countless push ups, tummy crunches, and weights, I could hear someone screaming out “Can you feel it, feel it, feel it, baby?” Of course I could feel it! π― Neil’s strident voice kept telling us to ‘Keep going, keep going. One more set…….five, four, three, two, one, relax.” Only for a split second though, and then we were on to the next tortuous exercise. This went on for a whole hour, and I kept looking at the clock, thinking. “WHAT am I doing here? Let me rather die NOW. ” Β The last five minutes were spent rolling and stretching on the floor, whilst the tape played, “Voulez vous couchez avec moi ce soir?” I was ready to agree to anything, just to make the agony come to an end. π The inevitable balancing stork-like on one leg and then the other, ended the class, and as I left, I remarked to Neil, “I’d forgotten just how cruel you can be,” and his retort was, “I was extra cruel today, just so that you’d remember faster.”Β I’m a glutton for punishment though, and I guess I’ll be there again next Friday.
My piano playing went really well, and people smiled and waved at me, and an elderly couple had a bit of a dance to show their appreciation. One rather distinguished looking man came over and patted me on the back, which I thought was a bit of a liberty, but he obviously thought I was up for it. π
Yesterday afternoon we went for a walk around our neighbourhood. I noticed that these security cameras have popped up at regular intervals along our road, and we have one inside our complex. In Florida, we have no need of high walls and electric fencing. Our gardens are just open to the street. It’s hardly surprising that we prefer living there, is it?
We saw these playful monkeys having fun on someone’s roof.
The daddy was standing guard and giving us the ‘hairy eyeball’, but uncooperatively closed his eyes for the photo.
The beach was almost deserted, which was surprising for a weekend. You can just see the Umhlanga lighthouse way in the distance.
Along the path We came upon this old dead tree trunk, and I immediately saw many weird and wonderful faces in it. Can you also see them, or is it just me? I can see at least ten, and one has whiskers, but I do see faces in almost everything.
This monstrosity of a house has been under construction for the last two years, and nothing seems to have changed whilst we were away.
Here is my favourite local seaside mansion, and I’d swap our townhouse for it in a heartbeat, although maybe not, as there’d be so much more housework to do. π
I’ve finished my spring clean downstairs today. I’m quite the fiend with the vacuum cleaner, and so many dead ants, spiders and dust bunnies have been sucked into oblivion. Tomorrow I’ll tackle the upstairs, but I’ve earned a rest, so let me have a nice cup of tea, and catch up with some of your blogs. π
You have been working up a storm, what with that crazy exercise workout, piano playing, spring cleaning and taking nice long walks! That workout sounds insane! π
I don’t like to sit down for very long, Cathy. Once the spring clean was done, it was all plain sailing. π
Wonderful! Looks like you are getting settled and enjoying all the familiar sights. Being home is always a comfort and joy.
Thanks, Angelia. Yes, I’m feeling more settled after the past week. π
Aha … now I get to see you in action AD ! Looking good . Fingers already in shape π so no worries there then .
I see a lion hiding in your tree trunk π
Thanks, Poppy. I missed the lion. Maybe it’s what I thought was a pussycat. π
What a fun weekend. I’m really impressed that you played the piano in a mall! Love the pat on the back!
Why did I think you lived in Cape Town?
Thanks, Rosie. I have no idea why you thought that, but you were wrong. π
Sylvia, Iβve nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Your posts do bring sunshine into my life day after day after day. You can see your nomination here: http://davidkanigan.com/2013/03/27/paying-it-forward-with-sunshine/. No worries if you choose not to accept the awardβ¦just know that you are appreciated. Dave
Thanks so much for the nomination, David. I do already have this award, but am deeply touched by your kind words. Have a sun-shiny day. π
beautiful post and wonderful photo
Thanks so much, Maxima. π
I loved that picture of you playing the piano
Thanks so much, Dallas. π
Great weekend @AD π
Yes it was. I had fun. π
What a wonderful weekend and I LOVE the monkeys on the roof. Can only imagine.
Spring is elusive, here. Thanks for the like today.
Thanks so much, Ruth. π
There is a lot of little things that need completing but it’s nice to see you take a bit of a rest and snap some photo’s for us. The monkeys look very fluffy and cute. The old dead tree trunk is so organic with its twisted bark. Very nice selections …
Thanks so much, Issy, Glad you enjoyed my photos. Lots of things still to catch up with here. π
I must say that I glad you’re home because I like see the pics from your paradise!
Thanks, Frank. Today it’s really teeming down with rain. I can’t even see the ships from my window.
That means clean clean clean to your hearts content … and sipping wine for energy.
I can only sip wine when all my work is done, Frank. π
Housework and gym – AD you put us mere mortals to shame π
I could only see 3 faces in the tree trunk, did you count faces on the other side too?
Hehehe. I’ve been to gym this morning and now I’m spring cleaning upstairs Hubby has been roped in too, with his ladder and sealer. π No I only counted on this side of the tree. I have a great imagination.
does it feel like autumn ad? here it is full on steamy summer weather just now .. with perhaps a bit more cool in the evenings π
Yes, I’m sure we’re into autumn now. The weather has definitely turned since we got back. We’ve missed the steamy summer here, which is a blessing, because it was extra hot and humid this year. Thank goodness the air con kept going. π
I find what you call ‘grey drab’ weather wonderfully calming and beautiful. Really love it. And I love that your blog always makes me feel like I’ve had a mini-holiday!
Thanks so much, Desire. π It pouring with rain again today.
I kind of liked my idea of you swinging in a hammock all day long! π
So do I. π
Sounds like you have been expending a lot of energy π
It feels like it, Tandy. π
Yes living with security measures becomes a way of life.. but having lived in Rhodesia, in the bush, security became a way of life for early warnings of terrorist attacks… not that it kept us in doors or off the streets.. one just learnt to look past it all.. and that is what I do here… we still livbe in a house with a low fence to keep the dogs in and not the thugs out… and have never had a problem… but then in our house if the dogs don’t get you beware of the owner, he’s likely to…
Love the Pics of Umhlanga .. and no sorry don’t see faces in the tree trunk.. but it does take special people to see such things…
I really don’t know how you couldn’t see the turtle, the toad, the frog, the cat, the dog, the lion, the fish, the lizard, the scary monster, the woman with red hair, and that cute little guy right at the very bottom. π
Now that takes an imagination of a special person.. and looking at your posts that’s what you are… me .. if it doesn’t move it can’t be there…lol..
You’re funny. π
That house is amazing! hugs Paula xx
Yes, it is very attractive, Paula. I’d love to see inside.
Interestingly I have to pass a fitness test every 6 months and have done for the past 30 years. So I understand your gym session perfectly although I do what I have to do – I was always a competitive sports person so that helped anyway. All that said I don’t get the gym thing – I have known people for whom it is a fix a drug if you like.
Yes, I know people who seem to spend most of their waking hours at the gym. Maybe it’s a social thing too. I just do enough to keep fit, toned and in good shape. May as well look after what I’ve got. π
Looks like you had an awesome weekend,my friend (figured you hadn’t heard that in a while,LOL π ) π
The…ah,you know who π
How awesomely great to hear from you again, Steve. π I hope all is well with you. I haven’t seen a post from you for a long time.
LOL,thanks! Well,if you didn’t know,we bought place and moved*,so I was offline a spell. Something happened with my WordPress,IDK if it was hacked or droppped or what,but it no longer exists…I started a new one,but there’s no posts,LOL,just an empty page with header pic and background π
I was worried,I know the last time we spoke we differed in opinions on something and I didn’t want you thinking I got all puffed up and walked away from the e-friendship-nope,just logistics and moving keeping me benched a few,LOL!
*they say the 3rd time’s the charm….we bought house and it burned in ’11 (38 months before payoff),then bought house and discovered it was a scam and lost all the investment (at least those crooks are now/finally in the federal pen),then rented a little while,this is the 3rd home purchase since 2000,fingers crossed π
Keeping my fingers crossed for you too, Steve. All the very best. Wish you’d get another blog up and running. π
Thanks,and in time,pretty hectic ’round here right now π
The place looks absolutely beautiful (apart from those cameras π― ) π
Yes, the cameras remind me of “Big Brother’s watching you.” π―
Life is so hard! I came here looking for rain. Well, it would make a change from the cold.
We have lots of rain today, but it is nice and warm. Can’t have everything. π
Shall I make a sign for you, ‘Don’t feed or pet the piano player’?
Those cameras look weird.
The rash of new monster-house-ities that take ages to complete and play fast and loose with coverage regulations are a total pain.
I really like the idea of that sign. Mind you, it depends what they want to feed me. Chocolates would be more than welcome. π Yes the cameras look like giant toadstools. At least ours is green. Some are bright orange. π― There are quite a few of those ” monster-house-ities” around here. More money than taste. π¦
Looks great at the beach Sylvia!
Yeah. You should pop down for the weekend, Phil. π
Lovely to see you at the piano looking relaxed and happy despite being patted! I see some faces too π
Hahaha. I’m so use to people touching me when I’m playing there. Maybe they think some music magic might transfer itself to them. π Glad I’m not the only one seeing faces.
I smelled the sea air…..ahhhh
Glad you enjoyed, Rebecca. π
I enjoyed the rain today π Oh yes, the monkeys, forever playful and such thieves!
One home-owner doesn’t have the money to finish the job, the other much be rich.
Every kind of security and still we have break-ins. We can’t seem to outsmart them.
It’s tippling down again today. I think you’re quite correct about those two houses. π
I stopped searching as soon as I saw the donkey. Sounds like you’re getting settled in alright. Hope the weather improves. I couldn’t imagine living in some mega-mansion for the housekeeping and how many rooms can one rattle around in anyway?
Hahaha Now you’ve got me searching for the donkey. I found a turtle, toad, frog, cat, dog, lion, fish, lizard, scary monster, woman with red hair, and a cute little guy right at the very bottom. π
I definitely see a tortoise in that tree trunk – and I think the whiskers one too π
Looks like you had a good weekend AD!!
And that mansion is quite an eyeful!
Yes it is, and I’m glad you can also see some faces. π
What a lovely weekend! Just how long did you spend in front of that tree trunk? π
Thanks, Madhu. Quite a while, and then I decided to photograph it. Hubby thought I’d lost my marbles. To him it was just an ugly old tree trunk. π
I love the tree with the faces. I will have to study it more to come up with the number you saw.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks, Francine. The more I look at the tree pic, the more faces i can see. π
That is one amazing weekend. You do live in paradise. Seeing playful monkeys on the roof, being close to the sea…only in my dreams but you are blessed to see them everyday. A joy to watch each fun pictures.
Thanks so much for you lovely comment, IT. π
Now I’m a bit confused … where is your home????? So envy on your weekend. *smile would love to have monkey on my roof. Amazing and that beach … something like will be mine in a couple of months, but I don’t think we will have those waves. Wonderful light and pleasant post. Totally agree, the bigger house the more homework. *laughing, but if we can afford a house like that we probably can afford cleaner too.
I have two homes at the moment; one here in South Africa and one in Florida USA. Maybe we’ll sell this one before too long. Who knows? π
Some distance between the two homes … but it give you a reason to stop over in UK. Warm climate both .. you should buy a little red timber cottage with white corners and window frames in beautiful Sweden, by a lake somewhere instead.
That sounds lovely. π
Still no snow, eh? Ha!
It doesn’t snow here at all, ever. π
Mad child, doing all the exercise. I’d have gone with the laying about in a hammock, sun or no sun. I agree about the walls and security though. Such a pity we live in such a beautiful country but have to close ourselves off from it.
Isn’t that a fact, Susan. This country could and should be a perfect paradise. π¦
That camera looks like one a giant toadstool, although better than the orange one I saw in Waterfall at the weekend π
That’s for sure, Chris. I’m glad we haven’t got an orange one, too. π
Your beautiful beach looks just like ours in Australia.
We’re both very fortunate them Debra. π
Your weather in fact looks gorgeous – no wind like here.
Yesterday was absolutely perfect, newsy. π