brakarlovering

Woke at 0600 today, birds singing in another beautiful day. Aunty Pauline, provided an amazing breakfast: starting with yoghurt, a variety of fruits and Pronutro cereal and completed with a choice of scrambled eggs, bacon, borewors, and potato squares. So much choice. Absolutely brilliant start to another busy day. A visit to Mooinooi was our intention today. I was overcome with emotion when we reached the house, now 33 Karee st. not 183 as it was back then. I remembered it clearly despite the changes so evident now. Back then the grounds seemed so much larger than I found them today. Now our family home is overrun with scrap and pawned items. Ailine and my bedroom wall, backing on the lounge, has been opened up and is now an office, the kitchen seems unchanged, but there ... read more

It was raining cats and dogs, as my mother used to say, when we left OR TAMBO International Airport for the long drive to Rustenberg. Uncle Dave took the freeway so we could miss the traffic. We were treated with some amazing country side. Some of which was familiar and some so sad. Signs to Pretoria Hartbeesport dam, Brits, Mooinooi, Marikana all familiar. Then Dave and Pauline's home appears over the rise. Amazing view. Amazing decor. Amazing life. Peaceful, serene and idealic. After settling in for an hour or so, Aunty Pauline took us on a cook's tour of Rustenberg. We got to see our old church building, now the offices for a car sales yard; our Wimpy bar we frequented every Sunday, now a black African lair; and Grenville High School, now a primarily black ... read more

My father dropped Maria and I off at the Perth International Airport. We were greated by the least friendly check in server I have ever met. She was only starting her shift and was really grumpy. I can't believe the stress checking in today. Never realised I had to produce a full itinerary. Because I'd changed flights at the last minute I only had quick access to the flights over and not the return flights. Never again. Going through customs was interesting, they take the 100ml limit literally. So even if a 120ml container is half full you can'it throat through. So Maria lost her face cream! But on the positive side, as a Qantas Club member, Maria was able to get me a guest visit to sample their wares by 2130. It was quite luxurious ... read more

Its been 30 years since I immigrated with my parents and three sisters from South Africa to Australia. We have all grown up, married with children and have a great opportunity to return together. Planning this trip has been an enormous task, ably undertaken by my brother-in-law. He has somehow been able to sqeeze in every state in South Africa, all our birthtowns, our holiday spots and catching up with relatives, plus more. Concerning though is the planning around what physical preparation is required to visit South Africa. Are there immunisations, prophylactics and other precuations required? I lived there for 16 years and apart from the usual immunisations I was not sure I really needed anything. In comes the Travel Doctor! Always err on the side of caution when travelling anywhere. As a nurse I advise ... read more