Kilkenny Surprise

What a surprise, arriving home and there is a lovely chilled Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale waiting for me. Ahhh time to put my feet up and do a hump day relaxation. I am even more surprised that Lynda found the ale in this country. I tried nearly a year ago and there was no stock so I gave up on the drink of gods, that is until now. Thanks babes.

You Didn't Deserve This

I am still shaking with anger as I write this post as I have just come back dropping off the new born puppy at the Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic. Yes in this photo above, the puppy's lifeless body is in the plastic bag.

Last night someone tried to get into our yard from the veld and triggered off the alarm which got the armed reaction unit out. During the inspection we came across a small tightly closed plastic bag lying in the veld at the end of my cul de sac. There has been a number of dog poisonings in the surrounding neighbourhoods . Fearing that the poisoners might have moved into my area I used a rake to tear open the packet, and out fell a dead newly born rottweiler puppy. 

What kind of person would do such a thing? Now you can sense my anger, my utter frustration with this world. After some investigation we have our suspicion of who this person is that did this atrocious deed as their rottweiler recently had puppies. My greatest fear that the puppy might have been alive when put into the plastic bag, tied up, and dumped. Oh we have such sick people in this world. 

May the little puppy learn to run and chase butterflies with Patch and Skye at the otherside of that rainbow bridge.

Paul's Homemade Ice-Cream

Look I have licked the little box of ice-cream clean. Please sir may I have some more?

Graham arriving back from lunch, plopped a box of Paul's Homemade Ice-Cream, I mean Health Crunchy Peanut Butter ice-cream. Okay Paul we need to talk, I know I need to loose weight and all but don't make such delish treats. I am not a fan of Xylitol which you have used to replace the sugar, surely there must be something else such as stevia?

Operation Dog Wash

Let Operation Dog Wash commence. This operation has been long in the planning and finally all the boxes were ticked especially it been an hot day, 31°C. So after church, we got all the items in place and started, first with Maxy, cleaning his wound. I am worried that I might have to say goodbye to. Then came Pup, followed by Podge, then Jade shown above. And finally it was the big galoof of a puppy River Song turn. 

Somehow we got River sitting in this tub and had to use the hosepipe to rinse her. Oh what water fun, splish splash, and we done. All Lynda and I had to do next was to jump into the swimming pool which temperature is sitting at 27°C. Ahhh refreshing. Now to plain Operation Cat Wash. 

Its Time

At first I wasn't sure if I should answer Angus Buchan's call for a National Prayer gathering in Pretoria. I am not a big crowds person and hate queuing or walking for hours and hours. But as the time got closer, I thought I felt Spirit of God nudging to go. I am not a prayer warrior, and corporate prayer is just not my thing. I like to find a quiet place and spend time close to God.

I heard from my sister Theresa that my son Matthew agreed to go with them to Its Time Pretoria, well that was the last nudge, I don't get to spend much time with Matthew and thought it would be an awesome experience to pray to God with my son beside me.

My sister, her husband Hans, and Matthew arrived very early and I organised a location pin from them without Matthew's knowledge. I got onto my trusty Vespa and headed East. There were crowds and crowds people who answered Angus' call to pray for our nation South Africa. But having the bike I got to park nice and close, and it wasn't a long walk into the vast crowds when I managed to find my family, much to Matthew surprise.

So here I found myself on my knees before God with Matthew at my side praying for the country.

Bobbejanstert

The veld is alive with purple flowers, the Bobbejanstert (Baboon's Tail) or for the boffens the Xerophyta Retinervis. Arriving home early from work, with still enough daylight hours and with a missing cat, Paddington who has not been home for a few nights now, it was an perfect opportunity to take a walk into the veld. 

Having so much colour all around me was beautiful, and yet it was awesome to find a white Bobbejanstert. Yes a white one among the purple. 

No Paddy was found.

Summer Evenings

Summer is sure on its way with the first of the heat waves hitting us. On days like these it is best to sit and relax on the patio with a soft cooling breeze gently cooling us down. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday, as I don't know how long I can keep this up.

Young Fig

Last year I discovered a small fig tree growing in the back garden near the granadiilas. Looking at the young fig tree this morning I noticed that it is 3 times taller than when I first discovered it and now it has a few figs. Yummy I enjoy figs and I can't wait to sample some of the figs.

Roxy in the Dark

Roxy, the mistress in Lance's life, is a original spec 1980 Honda CB750C, and this is my first viewing of her, in the dark. She is a beauty and I can't wait to go out on a run with her. Those windy roads at the Cradle are calling.

A Day in the Life of Brad

I have not much to say of Bradley's daily life schedule. He wakes up about midday, has brunch, and starts playing XBox or watches Netflix on his phone, until late at night when he goes back to bed to sleep only to repeat the process the next day. This pattern is of course broken up with supper, bathroom and smoke breaks. And that is it. Does he even know that today is Monday?

Baby Kyle

What a change from a man to a little boy as Kyle transformed when he shaved off his red beard. I mean I don't recognise that baby face at all.He looks more like Tintin with that metrosexual kuifje that he is wearing compared to the manly Captain Haddock's beard. 

I think in english they call a kuif a quiff, and am I the only one who thinks he must get more beard oil and get that beard cultivating again?

Polka Dot Paddy

Dark clouds gathered for the expected afternoon storm. The cats where safe inside and the dogs where buried deep inside their blankets as soon as the first rumbles of thunder rolled down the valley.

But after a few big drops of rain, nothing. Nothing!

Well that was a wet squib. Then came the reports from social, a massive storm hit Gauteng with hail and a few floods, oh well it missed us up here on the hill overlooking the northern suburbs of Jozi.

Kitten in the Mist

Oh well this is not the Friday you've been waiting for. Rosy our youngest cat has always been so fascinated when I put on the fan humidifier on especially when I disconnect the pipe that leads from the humidifier to the fan, then mist just pours out at her level, and well she sometimes puts her head ride into the middle trying to figure where the mist is coming from.

Save the Eagles and Orchids

So this is the view of the Sugarbush Ridge from Rangeview side. We are trying to save from the unscrupulous developers that just want to destroy the endangered orchid that is found here for a quick buck. Surely us humans and wildlife can exist side by side in harmony. We have started a Crowd Funding project and require your help to ensure the long term survival of the Black Eagles of Roodekrans and the Albertina Sisulu Orchid as well as the natural beauty of the Sugarbush Ridge Ecosystem that supports them.

Lazy Apple

And on my boss man's desk is this lazy apple or better known as a pear. So why do I call the pear a lazy apple. Well when I was younger I thought that some apples on the apple tree were very lazy and started drooping, hence the pear shape. Well the pear certainly did not fall far from the apple tree.

Happy Bosses' Day, oh is that a day now?

Purple Wave

This is the 2nd time this month that God has blessed us with an awesome purple sunset. I arrived home after work, got the supper on the go and then stepped out onto my patio to enjoy the beautiful sunset on this warm evening. I can just sit here all evening and enjoy but sadly I had to pull myself as I had an Neighbourhood Watch Committee meeting to attend to. 

Just takes One

Yay it is Monday. The rain has gone and left a trail of broken traffic lights throughout Johannesburg. I mean Joburg Power can't even get jut one thing right. Yes I have seen cities in flood across the world and I stare in awe of a traffic light still working in a flood whereas Joburg well just a hint of rain and the robots go on strike. 

Robots? 

Did you say robots going on strike?

Okay what ever reason that even I can't fathom why, we South Africans call traffic lights well robots. And after it rains most of the robots well they don't like to work anymore causing endless traffic jams.

Oh well thank goodness I am on a Vespa and it is a breeze getting to work and back especially on days like these, clear blue skies and not a cloud in, oh okay just one lonely cloud had to spoil this. It just takes one to mess it all up for the others. 

Rainy Days

We are all partied out. The rain has set in. For rainy days like these well we just cuddle up and go back to sleep. 

Oh and wake me up when Monday comes.

Two Little Witches

Na these aren't 2 weird sisters but granny Lynda and granddaughter Rebekah on her 3rd Pink Witches birthday party. Oh dear little Rebekah is getting some first hand training on how to be a good little witch from grand mother dear. 

Happy birthday Rebekah!

Pool Covered

And finally I get my pool covered, after so much water has evapourated during the winter dry months and the summer rains are about to fall. We sold our white elephant, the outside walk-in fridge, about a month ago and we always wanted the pool covered so why not.

The winds come howling down the valley and the evapouration from our pool is horrendous. To slow down evpouration I had to turn off the pool heaters so we could not even use our pool in winter. Now things are different.  

No Connection

You would think this is a new dance move, the forecourt attendants running around, jumping up on top of the rubbish bins, with their hands in the air. Whoooa ah Thriller! But no this is us trying connect with the Banks with their extremely high rates just a few litres of fuel at a murderous price.

I think we have lost the connection. This can't be the life that we want, or need. There must be more to this.

The Witch is Back

Imagine my shock when Lynda walked in wearing a Witch's hat. Even Minky was unsure about Lynda's new look. So there I was relaxing watching Star Trek reruns while supper was on the go after a long day at work, when the witch arrives home. 

This coming Saturday is Rebekah's 3rd Birthday an she wants a Pink Witches Party, well I better dig out a Wizard's robe.

Made in the RSA

So here I am, waking up early on a Tuesday morning, still tired as I don't think that I am sleeping well and through my half closed eyes I see the label of the new shirt that Lynda bought me. And my eyes are now wide open... Made in South Africa. Oh now that is a rare sight as most clothing manufacturers  have gone under due to the scrupulous business practices of the Chinese clothing industry. You start to wonder if all Chinese businesses are like this. Oh well I will wear this shirt with pride as that song from the Boss comes to my lips although I changed the USA to RSA, Born in the RSA, I was.

Through a Green Lens

Monday Blues no more, I have decided to look at the world a little differently from now on. No more letting life get the better of me, I must see it through a different more positive lens. Ha my green water bottle on my desk at work sure helps.

Rose Tattoo

As I stood behind a father and his son in church this morning, I felt a connection as they put there arms around each other during the the song Who you say I am. Yes the know I am nothing but I know the I AM and He knows who I am. Like this father who put his arm around his son, the I AM calls me His son and puts His arms around me.

Among the son's tattoos was a dove and further down a rose tattoo. And that song Rose Tattoo came to my lips, ..."some may be from showing up, others are from growing up, sometimes I was so messed up and didn't have a clue" BUT what I do know is the the I AM is standing by my side, always.

Death Note L

It is that time of year again when Matthew dresses up as his favourite anime character, this time it is L from the anime series Death Note. L is a tall slim character with messes black hair. Not dissimilar to Sherlock Homes, L sets out to catch the mass murderer Kira and is suspicious that Light is Kira. You see Matthew I do pay attention to what you like. Now I better go listen to Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Power Stance

Okay I did not take this photo but I am there in the crowd doing my power stance during the briefing of the Joint Visibility Operation in Mogale City this evening. There just off centre to the left wearing a blue shirt with an open luminous reflector jacket.

Lynda and I joined the few from Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch  to represent the RNW at the Joint Visibility Operation along with Mogale CPF Sectors 3, 4 and 5; Muldersdrift Sector 3; Randburg CPF; Security companies APCAN and EPR; Intellidrive; Netcare 911; Mogale City Community Safety, Disaster Management and the West Rand Fire Department along with the South African Police services. Yip there was a large number of groups represented, although I wonder what happened to Sector 7, Sector 8 and the other Security companies.

Well that's my Friday over.

Petrol Increase

With petrol nearly doubling in the past 10 years it is a pleasure riding my Vespa past all the cars stuck in traffic. Thank goodness it costs me below R100 to fill my tank which lasts 2 days riding to work and back.Yesterday our fuel in South Africa catastrophically increased by R1 per litre to break the R17 per litre record mark, eish. Just today I have seen an drastically increase in bikers on the road, well that is till the summer rains come, then it is back to cars. The question is will petrol reach the R20 per litre by December 2018?

Purple Clouds

My Vespa came out of service yesterday and it was a pleasure riding to work and back. Goodbye traffic woes, goodbye. 

I arrived home stress free only for the electricity to trip in the entire neighbourhood. No problem, just go outside and sit on the deck and enjoy the last light of the day. Prince forget dancing in the purple rain, we have purple clouds to amaze us. What a end to the day, awesome.

Yesterday was Nuts

So as I munch on my mixed nuts and fruit, I was contemplating on the manic traffic yesterday. I mean today I left the same time as yesterday yet today it took me one and a half hours compared to yesterday's two and a half terrible hours sitting in the rush hour traffic.

Yummy, these nuts and fruit are awesome. 

Monday Madness

Eish what madness has this Monday been. My day started off by sitting for 2 and a half hours in grid locked traffic to work in what normally takes 1 hour, madness. I had to use the pickup because my Vespa is in need of some loving care and sitting in a cage for hours in traffic is not my cup of tea.

After work I dropped my Vespa off for a service then it was me time but that is what I thought, little did I know that the Monday's manic madness would not stop here. I had just climbed out of the shower and was getting ready for bed when the call went out for volunteers. 

On Sunday there was a concert which was held at the Botanical Gardens, the Jozi Tese Festival, which did not comply to the contractual agreement and made so much noise late into the night that I even heard it loud and clear at my house 2km away. I believe the police were called in as backup to try stop the event. The Bot Gardens' security even cut the power but that did not stop the concert as they had backup generators. The wildlife in the gardens just fled and one duiker found itself in the Roodekrans neighbourhood streets. For the whole of Monday the duiker was petrified, it fled from house to house avoiding the dogs and people. By the evening a call went out from the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch to launch a rescue attempt to get the duiker back to the Botanical Gardens. 

About 30 Roodekrans neighbours answered to call for help. We managed to corner the duiker in a cul-de-sac. Luckily it next to the green belt so we cut open the fence to make a way for it to escape to safety. But we had lost the frightened buck because it had forced it's way to the rear of someone's home. When looking for where it was hiding, it got spooked and caught itself in the same gate it used to get in. The whole neighbourhood must have been woken up by traumatic squeals as the poor creature cried out for help. We safely managed to get it loose from its entanglements without anyone or the buck getting injured and released it back into the veld. 

Hopefully this will be the end of this Manic Monday.

Okay but still I have some unanswered questions:

1. I know that the Botanical Gardens need to raise funds but why are such loud concerts allowed to be held in a nature area?
2. Will the organisers of the Josi Tese Festival be held responsible?
3. Why was the rescue attempt only held late on Monday evening? The buck was 1st reported in the Kruin Community Voluntary Association WhatsApp group when it was first seen early Monday morning. Why did the KCVA do something about it then?