A father passing by his son's bedroom, was astonished to see that the bed was nicely made, and everything was picked up. Then, he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, 'Dad.' With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands.
'Dear, Dad.
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing to you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mum and you.
I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her, because of all her piercings, tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am.
But it's not only the passion, Dad. She's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a caravan in the woods, and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so Stacy can get better. She sure deserves it!
Don't worry Dad, I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many grandchildren.
Love,
Your son, Joshua.
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Jason's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report that's on the kitchen table.
Call when it is safe for me to come home.
faith . marriage . south africa . london . art . design . children . wls . wildlife . travel . photography
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Sunday, 21 October 2007
2007 travels ~ 2 countries, 24 villages & cities!
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Hout Bay, Cape Town ~ 27 Oct 2006 |
We had a SPLENDID trip to sunny South Africa!
We went to Johannesburg, Pilansberg Game Reserve, Lost City & Sun City (for 3 nights, and over my birthday!), the Karoo, Cradock (stayed at the renowned Die Tuishuis), did a good section of the Garden Route (3 nights at Wilderness Nature Reserve), plus the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, and then went on to Cape Town and all her wine tasting, mountain climbing and cultural beauty.
We also saw dear family and friends and all their new little kids.
March 2007
We went to Johannesburg, Pilansberg Game Reserve, Lost City & Sun City (for 3 nights, and over my birthday!), the Karoo, Cradock (stayed at the renowned Die Tuishuis), did a good section of the Garden Route (3 nights at Wilderness Nature Reserve), plus the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, and then went on to Cape Town and all her wine tasting, mountain climbing and cultural beauty.
We also saw dear family and friends and all their new little kids.
March 2007
A last minute getaway to romantic and historic Stratford-upon-Avon :)
I have always wondered about this town, and longed to visit. Shakespeare was a favourite study in English Literature, his writing is to me like poetry, and I so enjoy digging into his writing and seeking the true meaning beneath the musical words.
The weather was nippy but clear, spring time is always a good time to do some gallivanting!
It's quite easy to get caught up in the lovely character of the town, the charm of the architecture, the beauty of the River Avon... one needs to remember though what this town is about and why it is so well known.
Much of this town is dedicated to the memory of a man who had an enormous impact on English literature, and literature as a whole.
His life may have been over many years ago, but to me his memory if very much a living one, every time I read one of his poems, sonnets or plays, he comes alive! I learnt a lot about him at school, where we studied one play a year, and think it is a pity that many schools no longer do this. Here is a man with an unsurpassed talent and depth, with a gorgeous town heritage to boot.
Sitting in your bookshelf :)
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
I have always wondered about this town, and longed to visit. Shakespeare was a favourite study in English Literature, his writing is to me like poetry, and I so enjoy digging into his writing and seeking the true meaning beneath the musical words.
The weather was nippy but clear, spring time is always a good time to do some gallivanting!
It's quite easy to get caught up in the lovely character of the town, the charm of the architecture, the beauty of the River Avon... one needs to remember though what this town is about and why it is so well known.
Much of this town is dedicated to the memory of a man who had an enormous impact on English literature, and literature as a whole.
His life may have been over many years ago, but to me his memory if very much a living one, every time I read one of his poems, sonnets or plays, he comes alive! I learnt a lot about him at school, where we studied one play a year, and think it is a pity that many schools no longer do this. Here is a man with an unsurpassed talent and depth, with a gorgeous town heritage to boot.
Sitting in your bookshelf :)
May 2007
We took a delightful trip to a few towns and villages in Dorset, a beautiful green county in England. We stayed in Cerne Abbas, and visited Dorchester, Weymouth, Swanage, and Corfe Castle.
We briefly saw Studland, Lulworth Castle and Poole too.
This was the little village we stayed at when we visited Dorset.
We fell in love with it!
From its winding roads to its impressive church and abbey, from a very interesting cemetary (I love cemeteries!) to its renowned Royal Oak pub with its own Master Chef of England - with it's huge collection of teapots and tea cups hanging from the ceilings, which is also a couple of hundred years old!
The cream teas we had here were so delicious - we couldnt watch the calories for fear of passing out... - they were so good we had them twice! Tons of history and a pretty, neat little village.
Definately a thumbs up for Cerne Abbas :)
June 2007
Renowned for it's *giant* chalk figure
We briefly saw Studland, Lulworth Castle and Poole too.
This was the little village we stayed at when we visited Dorset.
We fell in love with it!
From its winding roads to its impressive church and abbey, from a very interesting cemetary (I love cemeteries!) to its renowned Royal Oak pub with its own Master Chef of England - with it's huge collection of teapots and tea cups hanging from the ceilings, which is also a couple of hundred years old!
The cream teas we had here were so delicious - we couldnt watch the calories for fear of passing out... - they were so good we had them twice! Tons of history and a pretty, neat little village.
Definately a thumbs up for Cerne Abbas :)
June 2007
Explored Dover in Kent, and it's fortified castle with Kristi (VTer Dabs)!
~
Had another super day trip to Portsmouth.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will go again in a few weekends time with my sister and a friend, to go up the Spinnaker Tower, go on a boat trip, do some shopping in their MANY shopping outlets, go and explore the historic ships some more and basically enjoy a day out! Having lived near Simon's Town (South Africa's naval town) so long, we both really appreciate and enjoy anything naval... me adding in the naval officers too ;)
The photo is of the HMS Victory, which is permanently docked at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard. What a magnificent ship!!! There are a couple other historic boats, some war-time boats, a ferry, some sailing boats and even a giant carrier! All very exciting and fun to see :)
July 2007
~
Had another super day trip to Portsmouth.
HMS Victory ~ fought in the Battle of Trafalgar!
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will go again in a few weekends time with my sister and a friend, to go up the Spinnaker Tower, go on a boat trip, do some shopping in their MANY shopping outlets, go and explore the historic ships some more and basically enjoy a day out! Having lived near Simon's Town (South Africa's naval town) so long, we both really appreciate and enjoy anything naval... me adding in the naval officers too ;)
The photo is of the HMS Victory, which is permanently docked at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard. What a magnificent ship!!! There are a couple other historic boats, some war-time boats, a ferry, some sailing boats and even a giant carrier! All very exciting and fun to see :)
July 2007
Red Bull Air Race in Central London
An exciting air race... used to be held at Longleat, England, but this year was held in Central London... good move!!!!
We would love to go to one of the air races overseas, especially the one at the Grand Canyon! :)
Red Bull Air Race
An exciting air race... used to be held at Longleat, England, but this year was held in Central London... good move!!!!
We would love to go to one of the air races overseas, especially the one at the Grand Canyon! :)
Aug 2007
Wkend away to Somerset ~ staying at a 17th Century B&B and exploring Cheddar, Burnham-on-Sea and Wells!
Wells is the smallest city in England!
It is absolutely charming.. has all the charm of a village still though. It has various churches, a palace, and a cathedral.. the latter being it's claim to being called a city!
Wells is the smallest city in England!
Bishops Palace, half ruin, half palace in Wells.
It is absolutely charming.. has all the charm of a village still though. It has various churches, a palace, and a cathedral.. the latter being it's claim to being called a city!
Mr and Mrs Flower at the wedding
We then had a week long trip to Cape Town for brother-in-law's wedding! (and a surprise flight to Jhb to see my fam)
Gosh, 3 trips to South Africa in under a year :))
Oct 2007
We then had a week long trip to Cape Town for brother-in-law's wedding! (and a surprise flight to Jhb to see my fam)
Gosh, 3 trips to South Africa in under a year :))
Oct 2007
Visit to Arundel Castle and Brighton for our wedding anniversary!
We were spoilt by the B&B owners, who had a cold bottle of champagne on ice for us when we arrived :)
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting both places... Brighton for it's sea charm... excellent architecture and flavour... and Arundel for it's village charm with the smoky castle overlooking it.
We were spoilt by the B&B owners, who had a cold bottle of champagne on ice for us when we arrived :)
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting both places... Brighton for it's sea charm... excellent architecture and flavour... and Arundel for it's village charm with the smoky castle overlooking it.
The Hollyhock flower, plenty at Brighton!
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