Saturday 7th February 2009 - You will be pleased to know, the house is full of all mod cons, we have a television with the worlds worst reception, Asanda loves her South African soapies! A kitchen with microwave, oven and fridge! We have a rusty old bike in our sitting room too. What the house is lacking - is a washing machine, and although there is a laundry service in town, I am currently washing my clothes in the bath tub! Well they did say this program was going to be life changing!!!
After a morning of rub a dub tub, I pop into town with Jan (the quietest of all the Rangers) to post some letters back to the UK, use the ATM and grab some groceries. You may feel its a little strange - me mentioning using the ATM - it's an every day occurrence right! Well believe me in SA - it is a BIG deal! There is a high chance of being robbed or conned at an ATM, so much so that in the quaint town of Swellendam, there is a long line of people waiting to use an ATM in a kiosk with a lockable door, the bank opposite doesn't have kiosk facilities and ATM is available for use without waiting, needless to say I join the queue!
Trying to integrate myself into the community, I call into the Swellendam Craft and Country Fayre on the way home, to see what is going on. I am introduced to John Tuck, a member of SPAF, whom I have been emailing all week - it is nice to put face to the name.
This evening, the rains come, you can see the lightning on the horizon, we lose power at 1.00 am, not that I witness it, I'm tucked up in bed!
Escapee in the house - one of the hamster has done a Houdini! Asanda won't be a happy bunny!
Going wild about the Hoopoe in the garden, I've wanted to see one since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Awwww bless!
