Fond Farewells and Return to the Chilly North

This should really be a last entry on this blog as we are no longer living in the Fairest Cape, sniff, sniff.

I thought I"d share just a few highlights of our last few weeks and leave myself the option to report on other adventures in the future.

So, parties, feasting, and feting were the name of the game. As well as crazy packing, squabbling and fretting over what to ship, what to take, what to store and what to plant! Having done this a few times now I can attest that moving is one of life's most stressful experiences.

We took pictures with friends and had many farewell meals, all delicious.
and we were sad to go but promised ourselves we shall return within the year.

and perhaps I'll start a new blog for our Cape town friends to keep abreast of our Vermont life!

Two weeks to go and a Book Club Farewell

It is now just over two weeks until Michael and I return to live in Vermont. We are sad to be leaving this amazing city and the good friends we have made here but know we will come back. It is not a place to leave behind.

On the other hand we are happy to be returning to our families and friends in the US and Canada. The distances between these two places is too far and not many have been able to make that journey. But for those that have, we thank you for coming to see us and for being a part of our adventure here in South Africa.

Rather than try to catch up on everything we've been doing since June! I'll just start here-


I give many thanks to the Book Club women who welcomed me into their long standing group. Over the past two years they have provided stimulating conversations and discussions over the many novels and non-fictions books they read. I have become a more consistent reader here under the influence of these thoughtful and passionate women. And fortunately they have told me I will always remain a honourary member!

Michael's 2010 Birthday Festivities - day one

There will be at least seven events in the celebrating of this significant birthday but it all started with a walk in the park. Well, one of our local walking spots, a field called Bel Ombre Meadow. Michael had the first treat of this new year - discovering where the edible mushrooms grow. He is always hunting for them on walks and normally finds none or old, unappetizing ones. Today was different. I donated my sweater for the collection of these 'shrooms which Michael found under some poplar trees and pine trees. He calls them boletus or poplar cepe, which his mom called butterpils and pappelpils. We sliced and dried some of them and they are waiting to be added to the next Mushroom Risotto.