Billy at work - into 2010 with ENEL

ENEL, the Italian Energy company had a EU Conference in the building where I work. This is how they decorated the conference room.

They brought in an over-night crew and built new soft walls right around inside the existing conference room, put in a massive Video screen and installed lights and effects that left your mouth gaping open in AWE.

What an experience. The seating as you can see was awesome, the atmosphere that was created was something out of this world, when I walked in this morning. WOW, I thought -"wrong building"

Just another day, Well, we had to keep the place cool, which was a battle, as the heat-build-up was way past the capacity of the air-con system. But yes OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED..

And who said a Maintenance Electricians life is boring ?????????????????????????????

Ria doing her thing

A cold winters night in the UK, snowing outside,,,,..... well in Scotland anyhow, freezing cold, windy and rain here in Surrey - Woking. Ria prepares a good warm supper for Billy after a hard days work in London. This is Ria in her element, she just loves her little English house, nice and compact, with her little kitchen, everything at arms reach. Ok, supper time Cheers, but click here to see the chef at work

Knitted Present from SA

Sarah, Ria's sister in SA, did some knitting for the new addition to the family and posted them to the UK. Leon was keen to try them on but had some difficulty. Smiles all around and the excitement is mounting day by day. Elizma just loves hand knitted baby stuff. Roll on 26th May

Me Again 3/3/2008.

Hey - its me again, yip had another photo-shoot today, got real close upto the camera, and put my nose against the lens. Not long to go now and then its PARTY time, round-about the 26th May.
My Mommy is suffering so I will stop putting things on the menu that makes her crave, she is clever otherwise she would have been a Daddy, her craving for Champagne is not good for me, but she knows this. Dad, Oupa & Ouma can have some when I am born and if Mom feels like it she can join them. But I watching you lot............
PS..... Don't tell Mom, but just when she sits down or goes for a lie-down, I do my daily exercises and get some "kicks" out of life in my cosy little house, I just have a good laugh when she tells Dad-- then I do it again, just for him. Ok, all of you out there in that big crazy world, see you all soon............. ME

Mothers Day in the UK

Mothers day, or should we say Ouma and Mother to be DAY, but I think it is more appropriate to say FAMILY DAY and a good reason to celebrate this was Mothers day, What a fantastic day it was, Ria as the centre of attraction, with her whole family around her just made the day. It was enhanced with the special effort made by Tania, she organised the whole thing at her Hotel- CROWN PLAZA, READING. Food was delicious. Leon and Elizma tried to trick Mom, and did not go the normal way we travel to Tania's house ( not far from the hotel) but go a small detour, normal takes 40minutes but instead their plan back-fired and it took just over an Hour & a half, with a traffic jam,,,,, never mind the day was a massive success.

The "organiser"

02-03-2008

Billy @ work in London

This is an insight in what I do with myself while at work. Maintaining a 21 storey building in the West-End of London is no joke. With 20 floors of Top dollar paying clients who can brag with Offices in the West End, I can brag that I keep them happy and comfortable. The central heating is not like conventional Air-Cons, but done with boilers and hot air ducts and the cooling is done with Chillers and chilled water at 4deg pumped all over the building. I get off the tube at Oxford Circus, walk 1 block and am at work. In the morning I am the only person on the street, but at 4-15pm that has changed drastically and there is hardly space for me on the pavement and you almost have to fight your way through the crowds, literally millions of them. As for work it is great and going well, I move work places at the end of Feb down to Totenham Court Road to a Congress/convention Center which I take over and run, this in its self will be a new challenge, as the building has been badly negleted when it comes to maintenance, so I will be in my element getting it back into ship shape condition. Here are some pics to browse through

Application for Italy Visa's

Tania and Ria had to go to London, to the Italian Consulate to apply and get a Visa for our pending holiday in May. Me being British, I do not need any visa's for Europe travels, While they were in London, I took 3 hours off work, we met up and did some sight seeing, me always on the wrong side of the camera, never mind, we walked over Tower Bridge and paid a visit to the London Dungeons, Then I went back to work, Tania & Ria then went onto Camden Town, just to look around and do some shopping.

Ria enjoyed the day out, with catching busses, overland trains and of course the tube trains. I picked the Visa's up the next week, Now tania and Ria can go to Europe for 6 months with no hassels, they expire 2nd November 2008. Click here for more pics.

New Pictures of me " BABY COWLE"

Hello Family, I am waving to you from my nest, I am growing by the day, My mommy is feeding me well and now I am well past half way, all going well I should arrive round about the 26th MAY 2008. Hey did you check out my NOSE, now is that not proof that I am a COWLE then nothing else will. Ok I think I am going to catch some sleep now, there is no TV or play-stations in this place.

ONE FROSTY MORNIING

YIP, OLD JACK FROST COMES EVERY MORNING NOW TO VISIT. THE WEATHER IS ACTUALLY VERY NICE DURING THE DAY BUT WHEN ITS TIME TO GO TO WORK, YOU MUST FIRST SCRAP OFF THE FROST FROM THE CAR WINDOWS. THE SURREY/WOKING COUNCIL SPRINKLE COARSE SALT ON ALLTHE MAIN ROADS AND OFF YOU GO TO WORK. 2 MORE PHOTOS

Cowles of to an Italian Hoilday

Yes we are off on a holiday - Billy-Ria and Tania in May 2008 .... where to........

On an Island of Italy, to the east of the main land in the Mediterranean Sea

Set in an elevated position with spectacular views of the bay, this modern villa is well furnished throughout. Steps lead up to the villa where a covered terrace overlooks the pool. The accommodation is on the lower level and enjoys private use of the pool. Resort & Location Below will give you an idea of the resorts character, which facilities are located in the immediate vicinity of our accommodation, as well as those located a little further away within the resort and surrounding area.
Short drive to Amenities Village
Short drive to Beach Local amenities
Distance to Torre delle Stelle 2.0km
Nearest Restaurant / Cafe 2.5km
Nearest Bar 2.0km
Nearest Beach 2.0km
Nearest Mini/Supermarket 2.0km
Resort: Torre delle Stelle in SardiniaTorre delle Stelle, known as the ‘Tower of the Stars’, is a popular resort surrounded by two glorious, white sandy beaches, a few local restaurants and a mini market. Leisure facilities in Torre delle Stelle include a diving centre, while windsurfing, cycling and horse riding tours can be found a short drive away at the nearby resorts of Villasimius and Costa Rei. Many of the villas here enjoy wonderful sea views across the Gulf of Cagliari. We fly from Luton Airport in London to Cagliari, then in a hired car drive through to the Villa. Apparently this is a major sheep farming Island so there is very cheap "LAMB" so guess who will be having a lamb Braai with some good Italian red wine........ to see the island if you want you can click here link to GOOGLE EARTH only if you have a good fast connection

UK COWLE's CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent at Leon and Elizma's house. A Typical British winter Christmas,especially with their lovely little fireplace roaring.... On Christmas Eve we overdid ourselves on a finger buffet, followed by opening our presents. We were all there, for the first time together in 7 years - Ria & Billy, Leon, Elizma & 0.5 (the little one that is almost here), Tania & her little dog Murphy plus Johan and Celia, good friends of Leon, joined us on Christmas day and we all enjoyed the following Chrismas lunch:

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Goat's Cheese and Caramelised Onion Filo Tartlets with Rocket and Balsamic Vinegar
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Beef Wellington
Leg of Lamb (with Mint Sauce)
Rice
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Creamed Spinach
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Apple Strudel with Butterscotch Sauce and Creme Fraiche

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To all our Family & friends out there, all over the world! Hope you all experienced a peaceful festive season, and that your biggest gift for the next year will be peace and good health!!
"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others."
--Robert Louis Stevenson

Click HEREto see our Family Christmas Photos

Greetings to Sarah

Hullou my sus,
Hier is 'n klompie fotos van ons hier in Eng, nou en sommige van ons vorige besoeke asook 'n paar in sonnige S.A. met die troue. Geniet dit.

Click "HERE" for more photo's.

On top right you can see links to click on, Leon & Elizma and Tania's blogs, see what they are doing with and without us........ click here for our family Christmas lunch.

Cambridge

This is when we went to Cambridge with Tania for the week end, we stayed at the Holiday Inn, It was pretty cold, the whole week-end, stopped for a roadside breakfast, walked the town and even visited the American war museum, even with the cold, we still had a good time, we went out to eat the Saturday night at a sea food resturaunt. Then drove back through the country side. for more pics click HERE

rugby

this was me at Twickenham. For other photo's click here

Me and my Blue Bulls - Currie Cup 2006

This is what you would call a "BLUE BULLS BAKKIE", fun was had, team spirit was high and now we sit and wait for another year. Although the Freestate Cheatha's and the Blue Bulls palyed to a draw. The Cheatha's decided to keep the cup for the first 6months, so guess what, come 2007 Currie Cup season, the CUP is in Blue Bull Country,,,,,,,,,,, COME AND GET IT