the perfect holiday

Lily and Grandad sitting behind the bar


The fabulous foursome. Veronica, Steven, Kristian and Wendy out for dinner V's 30th

~Well we all knew it would come to an end eventually. Someone told me once with every high there is a low. A very pessimistic person i would say but I must tell you in this instance it is true.

For weeks we all counted sleeps and got so excited and then the day finally came and we arrived in my beloved Cape Town to all these wonderful people who we miss so much. We had the most glorious 5 weeks. It was a well timed holiday as we included my daddy's 60Th birthday where we had a great party at my mum and dads house. then it was Lily's 1st birthday which was such a fabulous day. My darling friend , Veronica , phoned me the morning of her birthday to congratulate us on keeping a child alive for a year! Lily had her party and her birthday in the same house as I had mine 30 years ago. I love that, don't you? I love traditions like that and family heirlooms. I have instructed my parents that they are not allowed to sell the house as one day perhaps Lily's daughter will have hers there!

We then had Veronica's op which i agree is not exactly a pleasant thing but I was so glad I could be there to support her and make her laugh a little.

We were there for little Adams 1st birthday party as well. Lilys first party she has attended. she loved it especially those wagon wheel biscuits!!

My dear friend Caroline was heavily pregnant through all these events and I was hoping and praying that she would give birth and be out of hospital so that I could cuddle the baby.As it turned out Amy Paige Avnit was born on her due date on 24 August ( my prediction by the way) Veronica and I were lucky enough to sneak in for a visit when Amy was only hours old. She is a beautiful baby.

Finally Veron turned 30 on the 30th August. We had a lovely day that day and had a fab dinner at a restaurant called Saigon in Kloof street. I had a yellow chicken curry with sweet potato and steamed basmati rice. Absolutely divine and such a lovely restaurant.

the saturday before we left saw the infamous purple party. lots of booze and fun was had by myself as I danced the night away with all the energy given to me via jaeger bombs. This is a tot of jaegermeister with some red bull. Quite lethal!!

the best bit of the whole holiday was everybodys bonding with Lily. Her Nana and Grandad love her so much and they developed all these little games and routines with her. She loved it and could not wait to get out of bed in the morning to go and play with them. Her Uncle Ands had a tougher time due to his loud laugh. She was not keen on it at all but thawed eventually. she loved her aunty Ronnie and Uncle Steven as well and gave them many many loves. In fact she was so divine the whole holiday and is so grown up now. I think going away like that really makes them change and grow.

We had her first steps on the 30th august and since she is getting braver and braver. Her grasp of what we are saying is amazing. shes a bright cookie.

So now we are back in England leaving the joys of Cape Town behind. I struggle immensely with this and have found this time to be my worst. loads of ulcers have sprung up on my gums and my tongue feels like is has been sliced up. I am assuming this is stress. along with a stinking cold I am not a happy bunny. I will soldier through for now. A very wise person told me recently that sometimes trying to control a situation leads to it being worse. I should give my problem over to the universe and angels and trust that what is best will happen for me. I have taken this on board and hope to be living in Cape Town in the near future!!

Thank you to all of our friends that made our visit so special. I really miss you all so much already

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