Sunshine Adventuring!

Just thought I would pop you all a quick message from the land of Boerewors and Sunshine! We are in South Africa, for two weddings at the moment - and it's SO lovely to be home with all the friends and family! I have so many great snaps and stories to share with you all - am looking forward to a quiet moment to edit some pics to whack up here!

For a quick travel story - Warr and I (ON OUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT EVER) had four seats to ourselves on the plane - we basically airplane-spooned. We smashed half a sleeping tablet each and fell asleep with Warren behind me holding me on the chairs. At some point in the night, Warr must have loosened his grip on me, which meant I must have fallen right off the chairs - because in the morning he woke up with my feet in his face and I woke up with a very nasty bruise on my elbow. Although, we can't actually be too sure what happened because we don't remember any of it. In fact, I could have actually been sleeping on the floor for an hour or two - which must have been hilar for the air-hostesses to see. Epic.

Today we are off on the MOST exciting thing! But, I'll have to tell you all about it later!

To keep you busy while I'm off doing THE MOST EXCITING THINGS - check out some of this month's sponsors - Eye Heart Travel Blog, Femme Gypsy, Skype English Now and The Moss Letter Company.

Will fill you in soon! Can't wait!

x

Rusks: a spattering of poetry.

rusks || via Pinterest, originally from Getaway Blog

I have a lovely Mom,
She's as sweet as toffee
She makes delicious rusks
which are PERFECT for your coffee.

When I was home in SA
just not too long ago
she packed a batch of rusks
in my bag to go

I traveled with these rusks
across the world so wide
all the way to Wimbledon,
where we currently reside.

Me and husband dear
have been feasting on these delights
Although we try to savour them -
each and every bites!

I've been monitoring these rusks
because with every little chew
our bellies get so happy
but the bag gets few and few.

We are currently nearing the end
- I'd say it's "a code red"
I'm starting to think of alternatives
to dunk in my coffee instead.

I really shouldn't panic because
we have about six remaining
So to ween myself off of them
I've tried some light abstaining.

It really doesn't work though -
because they are so delicious
and packed full with All Bran flakes
so in (some ways) so nutritious!

Husband thinks I should learn
to make these rusks divine,
But given my cooking record
I very politely decline

He says that they will be
so delicious - A real tasty HIT!
I say "Are you serious?
I can't cook for shit."

The mom is quite "famous"
in our little town
for her tasty rusks -
so delicious golden brown.

I don't need the fame
or the RUSK BAKER CROWN
I'd just like more rusks please -
with my coffee, slippers, gown.

If you are good at baking,
and live in my postal code -
POP OVER FOR SOME COFFEE!
(and bring a little load)

I shall update you all
on our tasty rusk demise
i doubt it will be necessary
since you'll probably hear my cries.

An ode to Mom's rusks -
so ends my little story
We'll miss you little rusks
in all your dunking glory.

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If you are not South African and unsure what a "rusk" is - click here. 

If you are South African and are unsure what a "rusk is - I disown you.

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TIA: This Is Africa, Weekend Scenes and an open letter to France.

 
The folks and I took a drive up to Richards Bay over the weekend to go and visit the brother in his new "bachelor pad" - within four minutes of arriving, the parents were cleaning. On Friday eve the brother took us out for dinner to one of the local Richard's Bay restaurants.

Two things are amazing about this:
1. The brother taking us out: high five for little brother's having money to burn aka "first real job".
2. Local restaurants of Richard's Bay: It's spelled "Richard's Bay" but really it should be spelled "Richaaards Baaai". For those of you who are not familiar with Richard's Bay or South Africa in general - let me give you a quick catch up: Richaaaard's Baaai: land of Afrikaans tannies (aunties) wearing gold and pearls with crocheted shawls and plastic-leather wedge shoes. However, it appears that shoes are indeed optional. Restaurant menus spell words such "omellets" and malls declare that there will be absolutely "NO SCATE BOARDS". And there you have it.

 

On Saturday we took a drive into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi where we had booked a night to stay. We used to live near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi reserve when I was younger - so it was a great reminiscing trip! There is something so magical about being in the African bush. (For our honeymoon, Warr took us to Exeter Game lodge near Sabi Sands - it was INCREDIBLE! I have never seen game like I did on that trip!)




We stopped off at a Game Hide and spent ages watching all the birds, leguaans and terrapins  interacting and then a rhino came down for a drink -



I only had my 50mm lens with me (which is the very dumb thing to do when you are visiting a game reserve - but it was a surprise trip for me and I left our zoom lens in the UK). Most of these pics are off my dad's new Nikon Coolpix p510 - which I am actually very impressed with!

{Warthogs are one of my favourite creatures}

We watched this Heron catch frogs for ages -

We also watched a pair of leguaans catch frogs.

So basically, not a good day for frogs.

(have gone a little "Safari brown" with this photo editing)

 

I wasn't feeling great that afternoon during our drive so as we drove back to our lodge - I ended up lying down in the back of the car. The next thing the whole family yelped for me to wake up as we had literally turned the corner and almost driven slap bang into a cheetah who was standing on the middle of the road. It is very uncommon for us to have sighted it so close to our car and so completely lucky that we happened to be at exactly the right spot at the right time. After she ran off into the bushes - we completely lost her as they are so well camouflaged.

below: an indication of how close we were - 

Then I was up the whole night vomiting and feeling terrible.

Brother thinks it may be the Richard's Bay Water.

But husband is currently in Botswana with no radio contact - 

so I'd say it's a severe case of love-sickness.

National Braai Day: 5 Simple Codes of Braai Conduct

Example:

You will be shunned from your braai-clan and you shall NEVER be allowed to return.

May you roast in the fiery BBQ pits from whenst you came.

Everyone should roughly look the same,

(give or take some pigmentation).

Appropriate attire - 

Vuvuzela's are especially great for re-directing braai-smoke away from yourself.
You will also find that they are highly entertaining for a few toots after a few toots.

If you were shunned from your braai-clan for using inappropriate "barbeque-terminology" you may wish to appear at the next braai in this South-African-Flag-attire. The braai clan will notice your reignited commitment and they may let you back into their smoke circle.

It's worth the risk - but,

It's not guaranteed.

At the very least, you will have earned back some of your own self-respect.

* * * * * * *

When waiting for your meat to be perfectly cooked, 

snack on some meat that is perfectly un-cooked.

Side Note: If you have per chance braai-ed anything from the right hand side column, 

you will know that your (very) beautiful wife, has gotten the better of you.

haha.

not cool guy.

Repeat: DO NOT cry about this situation. However, depending on how many beverages you have consumed at this point, crying may be involuntary. Which brings us to Point # 5:

Coincidentally, all the boys will also have brought a few extra beers "for the boys" - which, coincidentally leaves an excellent little surplus. Whatever shall we do with these extra beers?

I know!

Give an extra beer to your wife!

oh, wait - 

she's in the kitchen making salad.


*the end
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If you enjoyed this post - you may enjoy:

Confessions of a Rhodes Bride

How NOT to deal with a hangover.

10 things your South African Man NEVER wants to hear you say

Also be sure to check out these posts from this month's sponsors:

How holding a pencil between your teeth can benefit you || Handling humiliation with humour || A High Five piece on Body Image || How life is cheap in Africa.

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For more cartoon fun and to keep up to date with latest posts, you can follow indieBerries on twitter, facebook or bloglovin.

10 things your South African man NEVER wants to hear you say.

I'm thinking we should give it a go...


* * * * * * * *

 

* * * * * * * 

* * * * * * *

* * * * * * *

"Well what about Lambie?

ok.... dude,

 - answer FASTER!"

* * * * * * *

as well as: 

"Don't you think you should turn those?

Aren't those ready now?

Oh watch out! That one is right in the flames!"

* * * * * * 

* * * * * * * *

Just kidding,

No self-respecting South African Female - 

with half a brain cell and the will-to-live would ever say that.

Unless of course - 

- the end.

* * * * * * * 

If you enjoyed this post - you may enjoy:

Break ups and Heinous ways to kill your ex-boyfriend

or The temptation of South African treats for ex-pats

or The perils of explaining "biltong" to a non-South African.

* * * * * * *

You can follow the indieBerries Facebook Page 

or indieBerries on twitter for more cartoon fun!

smooches.


EDIT: apparently I can't count and i skipped number 5 by accident. lols