Mothers Day in the UK

14th March 2010 - Mothers Day in the UK

I took Ria out for Cream Tea on Sunday to a wine farm "DENBIES" about 20miles from home, a lovely drive into the Surrey countryside.

We walked around a bit and then enjoyed Cream tea, with Scones and Clotted Cream

Liam is visiting OUMA and OUPA in South Africa at the moment, so Leon sent the video

To make her day.

WOOMYS _ OUMA

LIAM............ alias Michael Jackson

The Video says it all

While Leon-Elizma - Liam are visiting SA with Ouma Zet and Oupa Danie who are "GEORGEOUS AND SLIM" in Liam's words, soaking up the good old Sand Sea and Sun at MARGATE - he has performed the dance of the year.

This is what Leon sent us on email tonight

Not for the faint hearted

Liam does Motor Cross Racing

A WALK IN THE PARK
One cold and rainy Sunday, conditions were perfect for Motor cross racing and Liam did us proud. They popped in for a visit and we went outside in the cold for a bit of fun and warm-up.

Liam on his BIKE

Liam Visits Ouma

I think the video says it all, I don't know which one of the two enjoys it the most.

LIAM & OUMA RIA.

Tania - 07-02-2010 Happy Birthday

The Video has been added

The editor just could not resist the temptation and the shortage of time to start this blog input. It is the 7-2-2010 and Tania's 31st - WOW - so here is a taste of the birthday girl and see the video below. She makes us proud is an understatement.

Mr Andy Mitchell is a wonderful asset and adds SO MUCH to that smile of hers.

We all went out for dinner on Saturday night, Ria & I, Leon & Elizma, then the surprise for Tania, Andy brought her a wee bit later and there we were. She was totally surprised and bewildered, but the evening got off to a good start.........

stop panicking, there was a trustworthy baby sitter for LIAM

Sunday 7/2/2010 it was braai time at our place and Rugby on the TV, you guessed it, Scotland against France. Sadly for one - Scotland lost..........

The editor - alias OUGROOTTE is behind the camera - sorry

The FIRST of MANY - YIPPIE

BED TIME STORIES


Which one is Thomas the train and/or the car or the skippie

Tonight we make history in the life of LIAM, he is sleeping over for the very FIRST TIME at Oumie & OuBill. we were and still so exited with this new adventure. Leon and Elizma are going out to dine and we baby sit the whole night through. There is one problem with this, I have to get up and go to work at 6;30, most likely before the big man wakes up. Then its over to Ouma, wake up call, and breakfast time, get him ready for school and drive him there.

Wow what an adventure.

Now as this is a first, the organising and organising was all part of the adventure. Elizma almost in tears, "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME he does not sleep in his own bed where I can give him a kiss or just stand at his bedside and admire him, it is going to be so strange and a little bit frightening.

thats the cow or is it the buffalo

Leon popped over to give him a bath, not to overdo the strange and first time environment away from the normal rituals. When Papa eventually tore him self away and closed the front door after high five and low fives it was all beginning for OUMA and OuBILL.

AN ADVENTURE into the future.

Now it is time for Thomas the train to go to sleep.

So after a bit of play and eating some nummies from Ouma, it was off to bed.

Oubill was reading a story while Ouma got his bottle ready.

Just for a minute close your eyes and picture the three of us - blissful happiness and pure enjoyment - What a honour and a pleasure to have a grandson like LIAM and his Mom and Dad that entrust us with their precious son.

WOW - WOW - WOW - WOW - WOW

Whats this Liam, and he answers - a TEDDY

NIGHTY - MAMMA en PAPPA - love you , NIGHTY

"LIAM"

I have to add this,,,,,He went to be at 7pm, its now 9:15pm and we both just opened the door a wee bit to admire

"THE SLEEPING BEAUTY"

A Birthday message for "MY MADAMPIE"

The day My life changed forever
07-02 -1979
Don't cry my Madampie, don't cry my little Madampie.

Our love will guide you wherever you roam, you won't ever/never be alone.
You don't know how we met, little lady, and I wonder if you really care,
For I am always close by and around you, You are part of this life that we share.
At the time when you were still a baby. You'd wake up every night and you'd cry,
I’d get up just to comfort you, Madampie, and sing you a sweet lullaby.

Don't cry my Madampie, don't cry my little Madampie

You are growing incredibly fast, dear, and one day you'll be larger than life
You will just spread your wings and you'll fly, dear,
And I guess you'll become some mans wife.
While you' re raising your own little baby, you will realise there's no love as strong,
as the love you will sing to your child, dear, it's the same love we sing in our song.

Don't cry my Madampie , don't cry my little Madampie

Now I won't be around for always, but I'll stay for as long as I can,
I am hoping to see you get happy, if it fits into life’s master plan
You know somehow I'll always be with you,
For it's my blood that flows through your veins
and the thoughts that you think might be mine,
and the memory of true love remains.

Don't cry my Madampie , don't cry my little Madampie

"OUGROOTE"

07-02-2010

It has not and will never change....... it only grows - forever

REG-UIT

The camera NEVER lies

There is always weather for a braai - barbeque.

with a Sprinkbok Jersey.

This item is for anybody planning a trip to the UK - best thing is to listen the the words of the song and ignore the video

Summer - come on Summer

January to December

Liam with OuBill's Hat

We popped over to the 3Cowles for Sunday lunch today - roast shoulder of lamb with all the trimmings.
mmmmmmmmm.

While we were waiting for the chef to complete the task we were entertained by the big fella.

Where do we put "OuBills" hat

A walk in the common

Here in England, there are miles and miles of pathways through local forests, along the winding canals and in the protected commons. Going out for a casual walk hand in hand, or taking your dog out, or even for some exercise is a favourite pass time over week-ends. You down your wellington boots and off you go, so what if its raining - take your brollie with.

Just a while back Tania, Ria and I took Murphy for a walk along the river behind Tania's house. Through the dense bush and winding paths - just pure relaxation, nothing else, after a week stuck at work, time to unwind.

You don't have to be in the mood - you just do it

Murphy meets Roxy - what a match 23/01/2010

This is what you would call " love at first sight".
Andy and Tania have been planning this event for months. They travelled 3 hours down the road from Reading to Andover. Then took the M25 down to Dover to pick up the new addition to the family. Yip Murphy , who has been pretty lonely, has now got an eternal mate, her name is ROXY.

The video, which was taped using the most amazing technology at out disposal. Andy skyped us using his 3rd rate Mac PC. My PC recorded this and enhanced the video content and this is the end result - un edited and recoreded as it happened.
As a passing comment - look and listen - Andy says " HI, to all the Cowles"
He does not know what he is letting himself into!

AWESOME, just AWESOME.

MURPHY & ROXY

A Day out to Corfe Castle with Tania & Andy

What a lovely day out, our first visit out to Dorset, Andy and Tania took us on a scenic drive spending the whole day out, pity the weather was a bit offish but still a great day out.

We went down to the beach and gave the dogs a run on the sand. Ria had a dog called Bob and of course there was Murphy, Tania little sausage dog.

Andy gave Murphy a good run for his money in a field behind Corfe Castle.

On a ferry we crossed the sea to an island which took 8 minutes for £3-00 just for the fun of it.

We then drove through a picturesque stone built village.

After a wonderful day out, we went back to Andy's house where Tania had a smashing pork stew and veggies cooking all day in her slow cooker - mmmmmmmm it was delicious. Just what the doctor ordered after a day out in the cold.

Oh,by the way, Yes - Billy was there, only he was on the wrong side of the camera.

Liam comes to visit - on his bicycle

The other day OuBill and OumaRia got a surprise visit

His first ride on a bicycle, Leon and Elizma saddled up their bikes and after fitting the chair for the GROOT MAN, off they went for a joy ride from Knaphill to Horsell.

Note: Liam and Elizma have safety helmets on their heads, Leon does not need one,

as his head is hard enough

now lets watch "LIAM" in action

And now I think I have had enough of this "Dad"

You aint seen nothing yet

Tania & Andy, have climbed Snowdon mountain, they have sailed the seas in a yacht and done an obstacle course, just refer to Tania's blog. Now they are going camping......

Andy say's, the Scottish come to England for a holiday to get lilly white skins because in Scotland they are BLUE ( from the cold).

We wish them bright sunny skies and no rain on their new venture.

Don't forget to pack the "BRAAI, WORS and BILTONG" Andy

Looking Back - 60years and further - 23/9/1949

Well, you all saw the item on the 8cowles blog, about my 60th ( click here to go there). Now that was Awesome, edited & done by Leon. Now this is even more BLOODY AWESOME, just sit back and enjoy yesteryear and where we come from. THE COWLES - STILL BEAUTIFUL.

I was presented with something out of this world, some irreplaceable memories and heritage to live forever in our children and their children. I have sat for hours on end looking at this.

I have shared some of it via emails and whatever with you but not this - a 3 part movie, get a long cold one - sit back and enjoy it with me.

That night on a cold and wet 23 of September 2009 night you were all here with me, looking back over my shoulder, all your phone calls and sms's and texts and emails were just overwhelming and plain

AWESOME.

WOW - WOW - WOW

Sharing that night at home was Ria, Tania, Leon, Elizma, Liam and Elizma's folks.
23-09-1949 to 2009 - 60 years

William John - Bill Cowle

Still Beautiful

&

I LOVE YOU ALL

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Part 1 - The beginning.........

Part 2.........My Book of Life

some pictures out of the Family Tree, titles to be added later, plus 3 video

Oh What a Night 15/08/2009 - 67 years young

THE CLOCHE HAT RESTAURANT - CHOBHAM - SURREY

It was not late December '63 but middle August 2009, Oh what a night!. Ria's Birthday and Leon pulls out all the stops to make the evening special and spoils us real proper.

Leon and the Birthday Girl

click here for a peek into the restaurant we went to

No drinking and driving is very much part of the culture here in the UK, so when you go out you either take a taxi, or get someone to take you and pick you up, - this affords you to relax and have a glass or two or even three maybe four. Its all arranged, I am taking Ria out for supper on her birthday to a restaurant recommended by Leon & Elizma. So we powder our noses and paint our faces, put on our best dress and wait for Leon to pick us up and take us to the restaurant.

WOW, 7pm sharp he knocks on the door, dressed in black, white shirt and dickie tie. Our own personal chauffeur. We walk outside and here he opens a door for Ria - its a shiny - pitch black AUDI. Totally in style Ria gets in, then the other door is opened for Billy and off we go. On route the driver says, in a very professional manor and tone of voice. " MAAM/SIR may I make some suggestions for dinner tonight from the menu.......... We listen with intent and surprise of what and how Leon is doing this - Totally amazed...... Firstly for starters, the Warm griddled goats cheese salad (v) Red pepper chutney, apple & chive dressing is amazing and has a very light taste to the palate, and the Sautéed tiger prawns, Garlic & chilli butter come highly recommended. For main course I would strongly recommend the Chateaubriand (serves two) Heart of the fillet roasted, carved at the table, Béarnaise sauce, and for deserts please refer to the menu according to your fancy. For some side dishes, the cauliflower, buttered carrots, saute potatoes and green beans will only compliment your meal.

With this all said and done he drops us off at the restaurant, like special VIP's we get out the car, feeling like a Queen and a King we go in doors. The rest is history. OH WHAT A NIGHT, the recommendations made by the chauffeur were perfect and mouth watering, before we knew it the night was over, the belt around the waste was pushed to it limits and our personal chauffeur arrived to pick us up and take us home -

OH WHAT A NIGHT......... What a lady - what a night

Have a look at the bar (click here), where we had drinks and looked at the menu before we were taken to our table and click here for a look at the formal lounge

The pictures are copyright and taken from the web site of the restuarant, so you can goto http://www.clochehat.co.uk/index.html to see the complete insight to a beautifull evening.

but sit back and enjoy the short video with me of Ria's 67th birthday

15th August 2009 - plus?

more video to follow tommorow night

What not to do on a Sunday Night at 10pm

Leon and Elizma are building an extension on at the back of their house - an enlarged dinning room/TV room and a much bigger kitchen. Leon sends me this skype message on Sunday night.

Three stories up is the Main bedroom and a 2 seater sofa can not fit through the staircase corners 3 floors up. The new extension roof is going to be installed Monday morning.

here is the skype message and after that the photo's

COOL You there?
[21:25:19] Skype Leon and Elizma: Still awake?
[21:25:35] Skype Leon and Elizma: Can I come fetch the rope that I asked about to lift the sofa into the loft.
[21:27:19] Oupa Bill and Ouma Ria: yip if you want to, but I think I must bring some more from work tomorrow night
[21:28:49] Skype Leon and Elizma: I need to lift it NOW as the roof is going on tomorrow!
[21:29:24] Oupa Bill and Ouma Ria: you will never do it on your own
[21:29:32] Skype Leon and Elizma: I've got a strong woman! :D
[21:29:48] Oupa Bill and Ouma Ria: not enough, I will come help
[21:30:02] Skype Leon and Elizma: (Dis EK wat heeltemal vergeet het, Elizma het my 100000 keer herinner!)
[21:30:19] Oupa Bill and Ouma Ria: ok let me convince mom
[21:30:31] Skype Leon and Elizma: I wasn't ASKING for help, really!!!!!!!
[21:30:42] Skype Leon and Elizma: (I mean I wasn't hinting for you to volunteer!!)
(I REALLY DON'T EXPECT YOU TO JUMP WHEN I CALL!!!)
[21:31:20] Skype Leon and Elizma: (Please tell Mommy this too!!!)
[21:31:22] Oupa Bill and Ouma Ria: I am on my way with the rope see you in 5 minutes

it is now 22h00 Sunday evening, thank goodness it is still just light enough - sun is finally setting.

almost ready to hoist it up

lets just make sure that this extension ( thats the rope) is tight. Ask an electrician to bring rope and he brings an extension lead - what else !

lets get this sofa up there NOW

Elizma - you take the pictures while we pull it up

this is going to be fun

well it is almost up - 3 floors up and on the balcony

Pull the bloddy thing leon, its getting heavy - and its in the bedroom

Job Done and dusted - GOOD NIGHT

Summer time is braai time 24th May 2009

The sun sets on a day in the garden with Billy-Ria and Tania,
oh yes Murphy ( Tania's little dog) was here as well.

The summer is here and we are having some of the most amazing sunny days and the forecast for the rest of the English summer looks very promising.

Tania popped over for the day and out came the braai, Ria and Tania put some mouth watering dishes together and we had a ball.

Summer time is great - When the sun shines!, and the garden is coming to life with all the colours of the rainbow

Its show time in the garden and my seedlings start flowering

"mmmmmmmmmmmm" Looks good, Chicken, sosaties, wors and fresh asparagus

and they say its a dogs life, NOT

Freshly braaied prawns - now that was mouthwatering "MORE PLEASE"

BLUE MONDAY - DIE BLOU BULLETJIE

Oupa Bull-alias Bill had to get the grass cut and ready.

Monday was a holiday in the UK, and Liam came to visit, the sun was shining and he dressed for the occasion. The rest of them tagged along, Leon, Elizma, Ouma Zet and Oupa Danie.

We had a smashing afternoon, rolling around on the grass and watching the little fella get up to all sorts of tricks.

I just could not resist the temptation of the background music, considering that the Bulls beat the Hurricanes at Loftus in the semi-finals and are now in the finals against the Crusaders next Saturday.

OP DIE BULLE, en maak dir Bulle almal Bokke.

MY OWN LITTLE BLOU BULLETJIE

A small task in the garden - Liam's play area

Well with all the stress of the last month behind us and Leon well on the road to recovery, we had to get stuck in and do some garden work. While Leon was relaxing in Hospital, Elizma spent Sunday 26th April with us for a braai and Liam helped me with the garden work. Tania did the braai work and Ria made the salads, and mommy had to feed somebody in between.

The garden project I had started when it was rudely interrupted with a hernia, can now be completed. Build up the steps, do some rock-plaster, lift some slabs and plant the grass seeds, Takes 10days to germinate, so you can hear it grow. We are heading for summer and the spring air is wonderful, all the shrubs are shooting and the colours are amazing. The front garden is really looking good, once the petunia's and the other seedlings planted go into bloom, I am sure you will agree - paradise, all it needs is TLC and sunshine. Come-on Summer.

A Garden project - smashing - a lawn in the back yard for Liam

Wales - March 2009 - its Spring Time

Nothing goes well if its not planned properly, this was Ria's task and here she is in her element.

Where to go and how long for, well the choice was easy after looking at the web-sites of beautiful WALES.

After much soul searching it was over and done, bags were packed and we were on our way.

We had picked a lovely cottage overlooking a small river with a lake, viewed from our wooden
deck.
.

We are off to SNOWDONIA - NORTH WALES

To see the photos just CLICK HERE, The Welsh countryside is to beautiful and the stone work is awesome, with all the walls in the roads and fields, with sheep dotted all over the place.
But first we had to get a good nights sleep, hopefully with pleasant dreams of what was to come.

Now there are plenty of videos as well to be added, so keep watching.
And Ria will type in a shortened version of her holiday diary.

I am sailing - Tjonkie

Well who would believe it, its me again, but here I am in Sunny South Africa with mom and dad visiting Ouma Zet & Oupa Danie Retief. We are all spending 2 weeks soaking up some sea, sand and sun. We don't get much in the UK. Wow but Margate and the south coast is a great place to be. Mom & Dad bought me this sailing car to have fun in and sail the world. Check me out and watch me sailing.

Pity Ouma and Oupa Cowle are going to Wales for the whole of next week because I wanted to send some more pictures of our holiday, but I suppose it can wait till they get back.

Ouma Ria and Oupa Peanut, Enjoy your trip to Wales and see you when we get back from SA

Come on Summer

Yip its spring in the air, time to start getting the garden ready for the summer of 2009.
It's amazing how weeds don't need fertilizer or water to grow in abundance and flourish.

We moved in to our house in August 2008, and I had to start the garden as there was not much time left before the winter set in. So it was lifting the slab paving blocks and the base concrete - whoops overdid it and gave myself a hernia.

Well that's all done and dusted now and time to get back to work. The days are getting longer every day and soon we will be setting the clocks back by one hour. So here is a preview of what the garden looked like and where it is today. Can't wait to get back from our outing in Wales to get the seedlings and shrubs planted.



video to be added here

It's ME again - Un-Happy Chappy - Blou Bulletjie

Hi to all the Cowles and all my cousins, Ouma came and visited me the other day while Mom and Dad went to town, pity Oupa was working. Ouma and I had stacks of fun and in between I had to entertain her, looks like she enjoyed it, So when Mom and Dad got back, they had to catch me on camera showing how much we had enjoyed ourselves while they were out.

now let me see how this Mobile phone works!

Oh, by the way, don't get confused with my shirt I am wearing, I have no choice at the moment, but there will come a time when I am going to put my foot down and refuse to wear this WP rugby coloured shirt - Oupa says it must be Pure BLUE and no shirt should have white stripes in it never mind blue or even red stripes.

Parents these days have no dress sense, but thank goodness I did not go out today into the public eye, just stayed home with Ouma. Now that was a stroke of luck.






Now lets think about this one, No, I am not happy at all with this, hence the "Bad look" on my face. Oupa will have to sort this out with Mom and Dad as soon as possible. never mind that orange "H" on my blue bib, that's just another error on my folks behalf.