Stress Bye

This photo makes Struisbaai look a whole lot more gloomy than it actually was this afternoon.

image

But after the glorious weekend, things had gone a bit grey. The kids didn’t mind: a beach is a beach and they were immediately sandcastling happily. I looked on and was reminded of the monologue of that Daft Punk song:

Once you free your mind about a concept of harmony and music being correct, you can do whatever you want.

So, nobody told me what to do, and there was no preconception of what to do.

Same goes for me this week. The days will be spent doing whatever I like: watching the whales in the bay, chilling out with a good book, or taking the kids to a gloomy looking beach. I’ll be spending the nights in front of the fire with a nice Marlon and a cosy wife.

And if you don’t like it, that’s actually not my problem. đŸ™‚

No Apologies

Yes, yes. I know that I have been rather brief of late. The number of emails telling me to “write something decent” has increased even above its usual mailbox-crashing level, while the number of readers has plummeted to previously unplumbed depths.

The reason for the latter, of course, is that you’re all on holiday, out of routine, and suddenly have many better things to do with your time. 6000 miles… may be preferably (just) to editing that thing the boss told you to edit or poking an Excel spreadsheet, but it simply doesn’t compare to sinking a ice cold Black Label in the sun.
And I know this, because I just sank an ice cold Black Label in the sun and it was far better than writing this post.

Look, I’m having a break from work at the moment, but I feel the need to keep delivering on the blog, despite the fact that currently I’m more often sitting in the sun and sinking Black Labels.

If you don’t like what you are reading on the blog at the moment, then please feel free to ask for a full refund. Normal service will be resumed after the holiday period. In the meantime, expect more quota photos from the Southern Tip; of sunsets and Black Labels being sunk.

Because I’m on holiday, and I make no apologies for that.

New Record

Much rejoicing this morning (in my head anyway) so knocked a whole 31 seconds off my PB for 10km on my last run while we’re away. PB for running 10 km, that is, obviously. I would imagine that while we’re flying home in a couple of days time, I’ll be knocking 10 km off in just a few seconds. But I’m not allowed to switch my GPS on there.
Today was another wet one and it seems that we’ll be lucky to see the sun again while we’re here. The weather has generally been miserable, but I do think we’ve made the best of it. It hasn’t been a traditional “summer holiday”, but it has been a lot of fun.

Winter Wonders at Kirstenbosch

School holidays are approaching and for once, we don’t have to balance the tricky arts of child-minding and something to do, because we’re going to be on the Heading North 2012 tour. For the rest of you parents though, it’s time to get juggling.

However, help is at hand – step forward Kirstenbosch Gardens with their winter programme for kids:

The annual Winter Wonders programme at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden gets underway from Monday 25 June until 14 July with a host of unusual and creative activities – everything that you could possibly need to keep the kids occupied. Parents and grandparents can enjoy this winter break making the most of this leisure time.

All the events have an environmental theme and what better than to show the younger generation our precious heritage and how to be highly creative at the same time.

The programme includes puppet shows that will have the children agog. Be captivated by the wonderful stories spun from our clever local authors. Creative children can be signed up for the half day, one or two day arts or crafts workshops, bringing home a precious piece of handiwork at the end of the workshops. A series of delightful Garden walks, ideal for all ages, opens up the many paths and plants to a curious audience while learning why we in the Cape are so proud of our natural heritage. Bask in the beauty of Kirstenbosch’s winter mantle and the holidays will pass by in a flash.

With FREE entry to the Garden for children six years to 17 years old enjoy a hassle free holiday in the most beautiful garden in the world.

It was just over seven years ago that I got married in that most beautiful garden in the world, thereby turning it into the celebrity venue it is now, and I can think of no better place to amuse and educate your kids this winter.

Full details are here and you should note that some events have limited space available.