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.

The thirty best years of my life

There are no words to explain how the last 30 years have been and what they have meant to us - Ria & I. As a Dad, I am lost for words, the only thing I can do is re-type words of a song right here on our blog which I typed and framed many years ago, and if my memory serves me right I gave it to her when she turned 16. That was a big day in her life, then off to matric in high school . That behind her, she went off to TUKKIES - Pretoria University where she graduated with her degree in Marketing. Today many years later she does us proud, as she has done from the day she was born. With her outlook on life, her school days and achievements, her family bond, unconditional & enduring love for us, her brother Leon with Elizma and little Liam. She had a very soft spot for her Grand-dad, but sadly can hardly remember my Mom - She has very fond memories for her Oupa & Ouma Jonker - Ria's mom and dad.

Today she stands tall amongst many and we stand even taller,
towering above the rest.

Below is a few videos that I have taken snips of and compiled a collage of the years gone by. Enjoy it with us - as we have over the years.

Happy Birthday
" TANIA "
my
" MADAMPIE "
and
Mom's
" MEIS "
30 years old today
07-02-2009

"" DON'T CRY MY LITTLE CHILD - DON'T CRY ""

Don't cry my little child, Don't cry
My love will guide you where ever you roam, You won't ever be alone.

You don't know how we met my 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 at night and you'd cry
I would get up just to comfort you lady
and sing you some sweet lullaby.

Don't cry my little child, Don't cry
My love will guide you where ever you roam, You won't ever be alone.

You are growing up incredibly fast dear
and one day you'll be larger than life
You will spread your wings and you'll fly dear
and i guess you'll become someones wife.
While you are raising your own little baby
You'll realize there is no other love as strong
as the love you sing to your baby
is the same love you hear in our song.

Don't cry my little child, Don't cry
My love will guide you where ever you roam, You won't ever be alone.

Now I won't be around for always
but I'll stay as long as I can
I am hoping to see you get happy
if it fits into GOD's master plan.
You know somehow, I'll always be with you
for its my blood that flows in your veins
and the thoughts that you are thinking may be mine
and the memories of true love remains.

Don't cry my little child, Don't cry
My love will guide you where ever you roam, You won't ever be alone.

Don't cry my little "MADAMPIE" Don't cry

OUGROOTE - BILLY - DAD

07-02-2009

School days and other


Thank heavens for little girls
for without them, what would Dads do?

The one that got away


still to come: Dance Ballerina Dance

Let it snow - let it snow - let it snow

Wow, we are having the worst snow in 18-25years here, it is just amazing.

There will be plenty news on this one with lots of photos.RIA TAKES A STROLL IN THE SNOW

IN OUR FRONT GARDEN

Tania got this little Duck for Ria just two weeks ago, and all it was waiting for was some snow - well he got his wish today
here are some video's of the snow

OUR BACK YARD


FROLICK IN THE SNOW

for more photos of the snow CLICK HERE

It's me again

Hi, everybody. Just to let you know I am eating three meals a day now and I have my daily bath in the big bath, the same one that my dad uses. My 2 teeth are big now and Oupa says I can eat biltong soon.

PATO - PRESENTS - " MAME "

******* P-A-T-O *******

PRESENTS AN ALL STAR CAST VARIETY SHOW

***MAME***

Staring - The Patonaires
Produced by: Marinus
Music by: Marlene
Directed by: Jack
Stage production: Dennis
Lighting by: Bennie & Billy
Sound by: John
and starring in the show- the talented cast of
Mandy, Doris, Ockie, Ronnie, Frans, Jacques, Al, The Monarchs Band, Dolores, Hettie, Pam, Ria, Amanda, Groep Twee , Jane, Hennie, Neville, Frank, and many more


****** MAME ******

at Marlene's house - 1995
catching up on some old times

DIXIELAND-COTTON BLOSSOM- COME ON LETS GET HAPPY

Now there was Happy Days, all in our prime of youth, we would just get together around a piano and Marinus's house and sing the night or week-end away.
Practice every Monday night at President Primary school hall, putting the magic of song and dance together. PATO, as it was known was formed many many years ago before television was in South Africa, and this group got together and entertained people around the country.
Primrose Amateur Talent Organisation.

here are some of the programs and newspaper cuttings.
to be added soon.

and a slide show of photos

Sit back and enjoy it as much as Billy and Ria did because this is where we met.
On stage doing the musical show MAME in 1969

RIA IS A MEMBER OF THE RSPCA - UK

Ria has become a proud member of the RSPCA in the Uk and proudly presents her CERTIFICATE of Membership here under.

Then here is a loving message to all my freinds - Love U-Lots

Snow 5th January 2009 in Surrey UK

just a few days to late for a white Christmas
-4 deg outside so its 2 pairs of socks on today

ONCE UPON A TIME..............................

ONCE UPON A TIME, LONG LONG AGO......................................

Leon and Billy had a difference of opinion and it had to be settled the mans way. You decide who was the victor and who had to bow to pressure and strength.

Shoooooooooooo don't speak to loud as someone might call for a rematch...........

Na, I am not to worried I have a label on my back "FRAGILE" and here in the UK the law and enforcement there-of is very good when it comes to ABUSING DADS.

The yesteryears - Ria's 50th dinner party 1992

Ria's sister Sarah invites Ria's family over for a awesome dinner to celebrate her 50th. The was Mammie, Sarah and her children, Santie, Renette & Ken, Albert & Leonie, Linda and of course the Birthday Girl with Billy, Leon & Tania.
It was a day to remember and well worth its place on the blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIA - TO THE NEXT 50

Part 1 - the welcome and warm up to dinner

Part 2 - eat up and be merry - Dankie Sessie

APOLOGIES FROM THE EDITOR FOR ALBERT & LEON,
but they are family and I could not edit them out.

Auld Lang Syne

OLD PHOTOS, just to give you an idea of what I am looking for here is a peak preview of some old photos of Ria's Mom and Dad - Sannie en Koos Jonker, and others, plus a few of Leon when he was a baby or is it when LIAM was a bit older - now you see what I am getting at. Let the younger ones see what we used to look like and I bet a few comparisons will be made and a few of the tears of joy will also be shed - LETS GO SCANNING

lets get the new year of to a cracking start by looking back

It turns out that "Auld Lang Syne" is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s. Robert Burns is the person whose transcription got the most attention, so the song is associated with him.

A good translation of the words "auld lang syne" is "times gone by." So (incorporating a couple of other translations) when we sing this song, we are saying,

"We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for TIMES GONE BY."

LOOKING BACK OVER MY LIFE

CHRISTMAS EVE AND THEN LUNCH & AN OUTING

Christmas Eve at Leon & Elizma's with us, Tania & Willie and LIAM, started of on a nice crisp and cold night with a glass of muscadel. Then the excitement of Liam opening his presents on his first , then we opened ours and ended the night with a smashing Cheese and wine with snacks and a white chocolate mousse pudding made by Tania - mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Christmas day was lunch at our house. Everybody chipped in with the preparations. Elizma made a succulent roast leg of lamb and roast potatoes, Tania the Hors d'ouvres, Ria the rice/veggies/yorkshire puddings and Willie made the sago/tapiaco pudding. Billy poured the wine and Leon ate the food. What a lovely and memorable day it was. Christmas in the UK is just like the movies. Freezing cold with scarfs and overcoats being the order of the day with family get-togethers.

The food had a strong "RETIEF" flavour, the veggies and roast patatoes from Elizma's mom and the sago pudding from Willie's mom. Cheers to them.

Then on Saturday night Tania, Ria & Billy got on a train, then the London tube and went to Shepperd's Bush - The Westfield Centre for a site-seeing trip and a bite to eat, lovely and cold but very enjoyable. The lights and the lighting effects are outstanding, well worth a visit if you are in the area.

WESTFIELD CENTER

Its me again - LIAM'S 1st Christmas 2008

The first of many more to come, now this was something to experience. To be blessed with someone like this is just beyond the wildest dream.

Merry Christmas - 2008
Mamma en Pappa, Ouma Zet en Oupa Danie, Tania and Ouma Ria en Oupa Billy
from Liam

its me again - my 1st Xmas
************************************************************************************
see you later on Christmas day video

XMAS '97 - SOETDORING TOWN HOUSE

T'was the year of '97, both kids spent Christmas with us from Varsity koshuis and friends.
Ria & Tania cooked up a lovely Roast Lamb dinner and then we opened our presents,
Billy gave his famous speech, Ria amazingly, did not fold up the present paper and
Tania got a PIZZA.
Well Leon, he just wanted to eat as he was hungry - AGAIN,
at least he admired the table decorations.

The build up to a cracker of a dinner

The opening of presents

2008 Will once again be a SPECIAL OCCASION, the 1st one with Liam

UP - UP and away, what goes up must come down

One Saturday morning, the 17th June 1995,

Leon came home for the week-end from varsity, he was abnormally home before 7am, he normally slept till 11am but was home already. He said he wanted to take us out for the day, that's why he is early. Well, into the car and off we go, 1hour later we arrive at Wonderboom Airport, Leon says- for something to eat and drink. Then he comes out with it. We are here to see him parachuting, he has completed the training course, done 3 jumps already and today he is jumping for the first time on his own, the previous jumps were assisted rip chord jumps. Wow we were totally flabbergasted and speechless, anyway, we are here now lets see what happens.

.

With all his adrenalin activities which include - this sky diving, riding the rapids of the Zambesi River at the Victoria Falls, deep sea diving with the sharks of the Natal coast, chasing girls, studying hard, and mowing the lawn, Sky diving is the only one I caught on video.

IT'S ME AGAIN

Hey this is great, visiting Ouma and Oupa, they came to visit me this morning but I was having my morning nap, so they turned around disgusted and went home. Never mind, when I woke up Mommy had everything ready, she gave me food ( yummy food), changed my nappy and got me all dressed up and of we went to Ouma & Oupa's house, WOW did we have fun, and Oupa had this funny black thing pointing at me the whole time, one day he will explain to me what it is, and maybe I can also play with it, anyway I enjoyed myself and by the looks of things
Ouma & Oupa aswell.

11/12/2008 visiting Ouma en Oupa

WOW but its great to be a OUMA & OUPA

You raise me up- to walk on stormy seas

I just loved this when I saw it, while busy this afternoon transferring video's to my PC, I could not resist the temptation to put it on the blog with the back ground music - it came to me in a flash while watching and so I must share it NOW, opportunities come ago and this flash of genius had to be taken and preserved.

Leon-Tania and Billy @ Die OOG - HOLIDAY RESORT- Nylstroom SA

Please note: Billy did it in one go but Leon had to have two goes,,,,, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

1983 and it was Xmas with Ria's Mom and Dad

Yip, just as it is on the 8cowles blog, that Christmas of 1983 was the first time I used a video camera, a hired one. I filmed both our parents that Xmas and we can not say how treasured that special video tape on betamax is. Now transfered onto digital format on DVD and here on both blogs to share with you all.

My Mom and Ria's Dad both passed away during 1984 and this was an event captured on tape that could never be repeated.

Dedicated to both our parents, especially with Christmas coming up and when all the family gets together.

We will be making some time this winter to huddle up in front of the TV and watch some
"DAYS GONE BY"
video tapes.

OUPA KOOS EN OUMA SANNIE JONKER
with Leon 10 and Tania 4 years old

Ria and Billy were...... lets just say "YOUNGER"

For the movie of My Mom ( the only time I caught her on tape) just "CLICK HERE" to jump over to the 8COWLES BLOG

As time allows, I will be adding numerous video clips of the our family with the Jonkers, Pretorius and our two kids Leon and Tania, growing up - and of course Ria and I.
Any movies of the 8cowles and their respective families will be on the 8cowles blog

So, just sit back and enjoy
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
with us

plus any present day adventures we have

Babysitting 30th November & Wisley Gardens

Just a peak into the "DAY IN THE LIFE" of Ouma & Oupa baby sitting while Mom & Dad go to the movies and sadly say a bite to eat at NANDO's, why would someone do that for pleasure. It was a great afternoon and we spent hours playing "Housie Housie"
and can't wait for the next time

YOU'VE GOT THE CUTEST LITTLE BABY FACE


Liam with his play station 3.1

He went to sleep 5 minutes after we got there and we had a boring 1 hour wait, flipping through TV channels trying to pass the time, waiting for the inevitable cry/moan of
HEY I AM AWAKE, COME AND GET ME
then it happened and we started baby-sitting


Ouma en Oupa with LIAM part 1 of 2


Ouma en Oupa with LIAM part 2 of 2

Having a couple of days of from work, we will be doing a couple of outings, one was going out to Wisley Gardens today, about 20minutes from home. We all braved the cold weather and downed our wollies. This being one of Elizma's favourite places to visit in the area, to which she takes all her Friends and Family, she has some beautiful pictures on their blog of the gardens in the Summer & Autumn.
Liam was so wrapped up - warm and cuddly that you can hardly see him. We went into the heated Glass-House as it was bitter cold outside. Such a beautiful site with all the tropical plants and amazing colours.
We can't wait for the summer when the gardens come to life again for our next visit.

come on Summer, come on

until the next time - for sure

a new item to the menu on the right

I have added a link on the menu to the right.............. just type your email address in this block and you will automatically receive an email when the blog is updated. this will save you looking and there is no update, when you receive an email, then you know there is an update. 8cowles has the same so put your email address in both. You only have to do this once.

And just below it I have added a followers block, so dont forget to click on that aswell on both blogs. again you only have to doo that once.

cheers

Billy

My first Email with Liam

Allow me to put this on record...... LIAM'S FIRST EMAIL, via his moms email address because he does not qualify yet, for his own personal email address, but, be sure it's comming soon.

The two emails went as follows - a direct copy from billsparky@gmail.com in-box and out-box

Friday 28th November 2008 ( 3 days before his 6month-old birthday)

To Liam (VIA- leoncowle@gmail.com)

Hello big fella, Last night when I got home, well actually when Ouma picked me up at the station, she was overjoyed and couldn't wait to tell me about her day out with you and your mom. She didn't know where to begin or in what order to talk, she was so excited. So I heard a very long and detailed story of the outing to Long Acres. This is just to say thanks for the invitation and taking Ouma along, she really enjoyed that. Now, I have got some catching up to do, and just to let you know, I am on leave Monday and Tuesday and then the whole of the next week 8 - 12 Dec, and also the week 22-26 Dec, so we can spend time together, Ouma did mention that Mom said, subject to the weather we all might go out on a little trip to Weasley gardens or something like that, so great you had better make sure we have some good weather, then the outing is on, Ok then, I don't think I am working this week end, maybe we could squeeze in something over the week-end as well.

Cheers

Oupa Billy.

ps, when do you get you own email address

Then, his reply a few hours later went like this.............................
****************************************************************
Hallo Oupa!

Ja, dit was lekker om Ouma saam met ons te he. Dit was vreeslik lekker om met haar in die coffee shop te speel en sy het my al die liggies gewys. Sjoe! So baie liggies!

In elk geval, Mamma het voorgestel dat ons 4 Wisley Gardens toe gaan so kom ons hou duimvas vir die weer. Anders doen ons net iets anders! Sal 'n bietjie moet dink, maar ek is seker ons sal met iets opkom.

Ek het more-oggend weer 'n swemles en dan gaan ons Reading toe om vir my doeke by Costco te koop en ook saam met Tannas te gaan middagete eet. So dalk maak ons Sondag 'n plan? Anders is daar darem nog Maandag en Dinsdag ook ;-)

Hoop Oupa voel nie te sleg nie en dat Oupa 'n lekker Vrydag het.

Liam

*************************************************************

So now that this has been recorded and made public, who can beat that one with one of your grand or should may I say GRAND KID, isn't he just great, a typical and proud bearer of the "Cowle" name, into the future generations.

"STILL BEAUTIFUL" - THE LEGEND LIVES ON

"THANKS MOM" - Elizma, for helping him with the typing - Oupa Billy-Peanut

Another day in the life of Billy at work

Once again I just want to share some interesting items of ............ The day in the life of ................

Turn the dial and the fan runs faster - if it works -that is

We have some 1958 variable speed starters/controllers for the air extract fans of our building and they work just like a food mixer or drilling machine - controlling the speed of the motor. Well one of them packed up, no drawings available and the tendency is to scrap this old age technology and replace it with some nice new plastic expensive rubbish. These old 1958 models are built solid with cast iron boxes and are as heavy as hell. Me and myself strip it down-out with the old multi-meter and test, draw a diagram and sort the problem out.

now- do some fault finding and head scratching - mmmm, what was I taught in 1966

Done and dusted and repaired for about £ 15-00, this comes from my very young days as a appy, having served my time and a journeyman/artisan who taught me the finer things of the job. it is just like the top of an old ladies kitchen cupboard - full homemade canned fruit and jam in glass twist top bottles - a sadly dying trade. In my line of business fixing is also on its way out - condemn and replace is the order of the day, today.

The skills have gone and so have the teachers.
never mind it is up and running again - for the next fifty years

then its someone else's problem

and some pics of some of the modern plant and machines / boilers


OK that's me - now back to work...................................

LIAM COMES TO VISIT 23/11/2008

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN.

The 3Cowle's came to visit Ouma & Oupa today and Liam was up to all kinds of tricks so out popped the video camera for you all to share in our very blessed grandson and need I mention the proud Mom & Dad.

If anybody reading this blog could please send out invitations to Leon and Elizma to come across to your place for Supper or Sunday Afternoon tea, We will gladly baby-sit,
SO get those invitations out fast and furious..........................

3 cooked meals a day, plenty of rest, sleeps through the night since birth and in a weeks time he will be 6months old - something to celebrate I would say. So Leon and Elizma can go out and have the celebration, we will painfully sit back, babysit and miss out on all the fun - ANYTIME

Any day now he will be running down the road to visit all on his own.

LIAM IS BACK - me again

HI ONE AND ALL, Well back in circulation and best of all LIAM is back from his holiday visiting Ouma & OUPA Retief in South Africa, so we will be posting a few photo's or videos of him soon. Or if you want to beat the system and Billy then go to Leon & Elizma's blog - click here- there you will see plenty

watch this space

Snowing 28th Oct @ 22h30

Yip, just had an Eskimo Pie ice cream and went outside at 22H30 - its snowing, I skype Leon and tell him, suspiciously he replies REALLY!, he looks outside and skypes me back "WOW" he says, its all white outside. Well the last time it snowed here was 6th April 2008, at the end of last winter, now it snows at the beginning of winter, brrrrrrrrrrrrrr its going to be a cold one.

who knows - A WHITE CHRISTMAS ??????????

When we woke up this morning everything was " as white as snow" but freezing cold, then at around 11am after the clear skies and sun shinning, i wondered outside to video the wonderful Autumn garden with the left-over snow on the plants, was a beautiful site to see in the bright sunshine.

The BBC has a website where you can send in a news item, they check it out and if ok and good they use it. Well my video above was on the 8 O'clock BBC World news, so that makes me a famous celebrity and YOU KNOW ME, isn't that great.

TOUR DE FRANCE - OCTOBER 2008

A Holiday in the Countryside of Northern France, near a small village called Willencourt.

Up at 4am 11th October 2008 and travelled from Woking to Dover, just under 2 hours to catch the ferry over to Calais in France. Tania was joining us just for the week-end and Leon-Elizma & Liam joined us from Saturday -Tuesday. We all met at Dover in the car park, Tania parked her car and went on the ferry by foot, Leon & I drove our cars on. Wow, what a size of a ferry, then the amazing view of the White cliffs as we pulled out of the docks into the English Channel, ( a better view of the cliffs is on our way back).

Bonjour - Bonsoir - Merci (beaucoup)

Ferry from Dover to Calais - France

Then arriving at Calais, the fun/holiday gets off to a big bang, Driving on the wrong side of the road. I must say, this time I was in our own car and the only thing to adapt to was the wrong side of the road, last time we were in Italy and we hired a car. Everything is on the wrong side, the steering wheel, the rear view mirror, the gear lever, the hand break, the indicator switch and even the wife was on the wrong side. This time I was much more comfortable and relaxed and adapted very quickly. Off we went, first stop a Supermarket to get some supplies and then onto the motorway and small country roads to the cottage - about an hour and a half away. Arriving there we were greeted by this quaint little wooden cottage. A nice bowl of fresh flowers on the table and a cold bottle of French wine in the fridge (yummy).

ARRIVE AT COTTAGE

We arrive at the cottage in the French Countryside, pack out the baggage and get off to a cracking start with a Braai .( barbeque) . We sit around with a good bottle of wine, a wide variety of cheese & biscuits and talk the evening away. The next day (Sunday 12th Oct) we are off to ARRAS a town about an hour away, Mr White ( the village caretaker, what a nice guy) told us about an Annual market that takes place and it is worth a visit, they close the town square down for this. We arrive but NO MARKET - wrong date, we walk around and then find a smashing sea-food restaurant for lunch - MUSSELS and SNAILS a speciality. We all tuck in and enjoy it immensely, then sadly Tania must bid her farewells and I take her back to Calais to catch the ferry as she must work on Monday morning. "Au revoir" Tania and Bon Voyage.

SUNDAY LUNCH in "ARRAS"

Then Monday off we went to a sea-side holiday resort " Le Touquet" a very picturesque town with plenty of pretty boutiques, not to mention the 1000's of restaurants and cafe's. the most important being " CREPES " yip Ria had a field day with this. Although the weather was not on our side we all enjoyed the outing. A high-lite of the trip was OUPA playing with Liam on the back seat, for the one hour trip. While Mom and Dad upfront were moaning and groaning the he must go to sleep. Oupa & Liam won that round SIX-LOVE.

Walk around Le Touquet and of course eat "Crepes"

in the video there is a picture I got from Carol of a "Rainbow on fire" - amazing

Leon & Elizma left on Tuesday lunchtime and sadly taking Liam with them. Now we were on our own and Billy got down to some serious cooking, the video says it all.

YUMMY YUMMY - ESCARGOT _ SNAILS

to come

at the cottage

travelling around the French countryside

eating French "Crepes" , "Mussels" and "Escargot snails" mmmmmmmm ,with some more wine

back to Dover on the ferry

Baby sitting the BIG FELLA

On Wednesday 1/10/2008 it was Elizma's Birthday so to enable Leon to spoil her and eat-out, so we did some baby sitting, Now I have always wanted to to this for a very-very long time and the expectations were overwhelming and exciting to say the least.

WHAT A LET DOWN - WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT

Elizma and Leon are to organised to be "a new Mom & Dad", the little bugger was all bathed, wrapped up and fast asleep when we got there, one last check by Elizma in his room where he lay fast asleep in his cot, and off they went for a night out.

The little bugger did not make a sound NOT A PEEP, we just sat and watched TV, with ears pierced- we listened for that inevitable expected cry - or even a whimper - but NOTHING, when they got back at about 11h30, he did not even move then.

Off we went home, miserable OUMA & OUPA, tails between our legs and disappointed that baby-sitting this guy is a waste of time, could have stayed home and watched TV for what it was worth.

WOW - WHAT A PRIVILEGE THIS IS -

TO BABYSIT YOUR GRANDCHILD - WOW

Below is a collage of photo's, "LIAM @ 4 Months old", to view them in all their glory just

click here to jump over to Leon & Elizma's Blog - amazing and beautiful.

Oh by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIAM'S MOMMY-ELIZMA

click here to go to LeoLizma's Blog

LIAM COMES TO VISIT OUMA AND OUPA

WELL, THE VIDEO SAYS IT ALL

AND THEN OF COURSE - THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

Billy in the garden after a long hard week-end

Now that was, as they say A Task & A Half, lifting all the 450 x 450 concrete slabs, lifting the base concrete, and wheel-barrowing it away. Then I cut the shape of the front path with an angle grinder with dust everywhere. Levelled off the ground and put in 30 x 25l bags of topsoil, planted the lawn seed and gave it water & fertilizer.

Tania arrived for a vist, she light the barbecue fire and cooked the meat. All washed up, we sat down to a good glass of wine, cracker of a braai with salads and finished of with home made waffles-syrup and cream. All in between watching the Monza F1 GP. Ria is glad the week-end has come and gone, as I was just full of mud and dust and kept on calling for coffee and coke to drink, she had no peace all day long.

It was an amazing week-end of fantastic weather-lots of sun shine and even caught a bit of a tan.

Just happened this way while I was in the garden, two planes flew bye in the sky ( now here else would they fly bye??). Here in the UK with the cold air at high altitude, all the planes leave a white tail trail and these two made a cross in the heavens and sentimental me had to take a photo and say

Now that cross is a symbol of the 8cowles family love for one another.

Ria takes a shower

England has a strange water supply system, but Leon spent some time with me to explain it. The street water mains do not have a lot of pressure in them, due to the fact that the infrastructure was installed hundreds of years ago, so each house has a water tank in the ceiling, and this fills up just like a cistern of your toilet, when you use water the ball valve opens and fills the tank again. So you have no real pressure only a gravity feed from your tank in the ceiling. There are modern ways of improving this system at a great cost, so we will leave this one to another date. But what I did was install an approved dual hot/cold water pressure pump after the tank. not allowed on the mains supply before the tank. The result is Fantastic pressure in the shower and water flows much better and faster at the taps aswell installation complete and the pump is in.
so now the pressure is 2 Bar throughout the house , up from a 1/2 bar.

.

Pity Ria had the curtains closed when she was showering or you could have seen the water flow pressure.

Ria goes to a French Market in Woking

Last Saturday and Sunday we had a continental market in our Village Mall, during the year there are different themes and cultures, this week-end was FRENCH, we ate a Crepe with sugar on while we browsed through the picturesque stalls, very colourful and Oh so appetising.

WOW, so many varieties of Olives to choose from
Not to mention the SWEETIES, Ria said she has never seen so many sweets in one place and al so tempting, she had to buy some



Armed with her bag of nummies of we go home - broke