Day 1 of Month 9

Christmas decorations and special festive goodies have appeared in the shops, and we’ve just started the 9th month of our African adventure.

We marked the occasion with brekkie at one of our favourite local haunts, the always-fabulous “Silver Orange”.

This past month we’ve had a special house guest, we’ve hosted family lunches dinners, we’ve attended concerts, and (as you by now know) we received the remainder of our goods from Australia. It’s been quite a ride, folks!

One of the highlights of our South African stay so far was my sister’s visit. Lucy lives about four hours away in Newcastle, a steel town like all the others of that name around the world. This visit was all the more special because Lucy seldom travels, and very rarely for as long as the 10 days she spent with us.

Amongst other things, we visited the Hunters Rest hotel in Rustenburg. While there we did a little family sleuthing and visited the graves of my great-grandfather, George Wellington Rex, and my great-grandmother, Sarah, born Collins.

**At the grave of George Wellington Rex**

We also just hung out, doing silly stuff and sharing many laughs!

Music is a vital part of our lives. Here we don’t have the wide choice of live events we had in Melbourne, but in all fairness, I really don’t think any other place compares. When we do come across a live performance, we’re there with bells on!

This past month we went along to hear “Die Vyftigers” (“The Fiftyers”) perform their unique style of rather avant garde Afrikaans music. The group was brought into being by Neil Sandilands, an acclaimed international actor-turned-muso.

**Schalk Joubert, Neil Sandilands, Abel Kraamsaal, Gian Groen**

I interviewed Neil a couple of years ago while he was shooting “Sweetmouth 2” and we’ve remained in touch every since. It was wonderfully rowdy, and fab to finally meet Neil in the flesh!

On a completely different note, we had the privilege of attending a live recording of the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra at the SABC.

**Soloist, Kyeong Ham did the obo proud!**

Remember those 86 cartons, etc that arrived on 15 October?

They’ve been unpacked and their contents are now proudly part of our household once more. I have a proper, fit-for-purpose kitchen again, we have our beloved glass and ceramics collections, and so much more. Time for an official housewarming methinks!