We have discovered
that it is possible to have both a tough and truly wonderful experience at the
same time out here in South Africa. After the shock of Laurence’s father passing
away, and with Christmas following so soon after, the last two months have been
spent enjoying the company of Laurence’s family and the peace, or just the
change, that comes at this time of year. A week by the coast in Port Elizabeth
as well as some city fun in Johannesburg, it has been really special, and we
have entered 2020 content and excited for the new year and all that lies ahead.
We said goodbye to Geoff towards the end of November. Laurence
carried his dad at the funeral service with other family members, and spoke so
beautifully about him, alongside his brother and sister, Gavin and Robyn. Geoff’s
life flashed before us in photos, taking us on a unique journey – all the highs,
all the best bits, all the love. Everyone came back to our house afterwards,
which with Laurence’s huge family is no mean feat, but as these occasions do,
it worked itself out and it turned out to be a really great day.
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Our last photo with Geoff in October.
His favourite, and now Elowen's; playing games. |
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| At the top of Lonehill's hill (Koppie). A perfect place to reflect. |
It’s a funny time of year in South Africa, where there is a
real sense of endings. I said goodbye to the children that I tutor at the
township school as they move on to a new grade; Amelie, Elowen and Joel said
goodbye to their friends and teachers at school as the six weeks of summer holidays began;
and we counted down the days to Christmas and saying goodbye to a memorable
decade.
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| Saying goodbye after an awesome year together |
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| Christmas party at Riversands Primary School |
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| End of term at Crawford Prep, Lonehill |
I was on a bit of a mission this year to find, or just
appreciate, Christmas in the sun. Our first stop was the market that runs on
the grounds of Joel’s school. Bryanston Organic Market consciously slows the
pace of life down and is a place of refuge in the rush of city life. At Christmas
it opens at night, lit up like a European Christmas market, only with the feel of
a Mediterranean summer’s evening. Sitting on hay bales to sing Christmas carols
and meandering around the stalls, there was a relaxed and merry feeling, which
was really enjoyable.
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| Christmas carols on hay bales. |
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| A warm summer's evening at the moonlight market. |
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| Candle making for Elowen and Joel at the moonlight market. |
We also attended our local church for a Christmas carol
service. At this point I should mention that Johannesburg had a fair amount of
rain fall in December which meant that all the coal reserves had gotten very
wet. Power stations therefore ceased working and electricity ran out. So, it
was a rather atmospheric carols by torchlight, which was actually great fun and
a reminder of the fragility of the infrastructure at the moment out here in South
Africa.
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| Christmas carols by torchlight! |
Christmas itself was by the coast with Laurence’s stepmom,
Bev. We hung stockings outside by the braai chimney, and Christmas morning was
spent having fun in the pool. Over the course of the week, we tested out lots
of beaches along the coast of Port Elizabeth, and dusted off the body boards,
always mindful of strong currents and sharks! Many a board game was played, and
a relaxed time was had by all.
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| Stockings hung by the braai chimney on Christmas eve. |
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| Christmas morning in the pool. |
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| Fort Willmore building with Daddy and Uncle Gavin |
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| As safe as houses... |
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| Running on the sand dunes at Maitland, Port Elizabeth. |
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| Playing in a Lagoon in Kenton with cousins. |
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Family pic in Kenton minus Joel who was busy making
a slime and strawberry cake at the time. |
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| All of Laurence's Dad's family at Barnicles, Port Elizabeth. |
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At McArthur Pool, overlooking the Indian Ocean
in Port Elizabeth |
Back up in Johannesburg, our last Christmas activity was to
see Peter Pan on Ice with Laurence’s mom, Lynn. The theatre itself is in a huge
complex of buildings called Monte Casino, which is designed to look like an
ancient Tuscan village. So, it felt like we were once again back in ‘the med’ for this
fantastic event. The performance was truly magical and the level of skill, mind
blowing. As with all performances, you never know quite when it will end
with all the bows and extra songs and dances. I mention this because Joel’s
bladder was in no doubt of when the performance needed to end… a.s.a.p! Conscious not to ruin it for others, I
resisted taking him until tears were running down his cheeks. It was no use; we
weren’t going to make it to the end, and I was going to have to take him out.
With a sigh of resignation, I stood up. But with timing that you couldn’t
achieve if you tried, the theatre simultaneously erupted into a huge round of
applause, and like a ripple effect from my seat, everyone also stood up. Without
meaning to, I had instigated a standing ovation! I found myself having to join
in rather heartily so as not to reveal my true intentions, but it did mean that
poor Joel was left suffering for a few moments longer. We eventually made it out
and Joel reached the toilet in time; a disaster was averted; and we had a very
funny story to tell.
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| At Monte Casino having just seen Peter Pan On Ice. |
So, we move forward to a new decade, a new school year, with
a new family dynamic. Amelie has moved from the Foundation phase (Infants) to
the Intersen Phase (Juniors); Elowen navigates life at school without her big
sister around; and Joel returns to the same classroom, with the same teacher,
which is exactly what he needs. Laurence and I enter a new decade of marriage,
with all the ups and downs that marriage brings, but with an ever-growing love
and respect for one another. Sun, sea, sand and a standing ovation; it’s been a
glorious few months here in Africa.
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| 10 years of marriage! |
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Back to school 2020!
(It was a rushed morning, this was my only photo...) |
From the Moloneys and Willmores, we wish you a kind and
peaceful new year.
Lots of love x
