Sun City

We left early to go sun city, and on our way stopped off at another lion park. This time we could play with the cubs for as long as we wanted, and the Cubs were smaller this time. There was 4 ages 2 months and 2 aged 5 months and the two older ones were a lot of fun. They randomly bit people on their legs which was funny, and one bit my knee. The was very playful and so cute. We left after about an hour and carrier on towards sun city. When we arrived there was abit of a squabble between dad and Jakcie. Dad went the wrong way and when Jackie told him the right way he didn't believe her, and when he discovered she was right he wouldn't admit he was wrong.... Typical man. We parked up and walked to the water park, valley of the waves. It was another hot day and we couldn't wait to get in the water and get a tan. We hired some towels and an umbrella and set up our things around the wave pool which was made to look like a beach. We spent most the time in the wave pool and sunbathing. We had Lunch later on and me and dad went to look around and we ended up going down a water slide which was good. We left at 5 to get showered and ready in the changing rooms. After getting ready we played in the arcade and Jackie put £10 in the casino machine and won £40.. Not bad :) we went to the car and made our way back to Rustenburg. Before goin back to the lodge we stopped off at a restaurant called Dros. The service and food was great and Morgan left with a lucky bad, a cool bottle and a projector watch! Which he loved. When we arrived back to the lodge we went to bed. We was all so tired from the sun and all the swimming but wad a lovey day.



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Rustenburg

We left mid-day to go Rustenburg, and the weather was lovely and hot (30 degrees). We had lunch at squires before arriving at our lodge. We had been given to rooms both single beds, so we went back and asked if we could change and they gave us a three bedroom lodge with a double room and 2 singles. It was a much better lodge with a lot of space. As the weather was hot we unpacked out on our swim suites and went straight to the pool. We ended up choosing the heated pool which was like a hot bath. We swam and sunbathed and went down the big water slide and then went back to the lodge and got ready to go get some food from the supermarket for our Braai we was going to be having. The Braai was very nice, dad done a Good job. We all soon after went to bed ready to go sun city in the morning.



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Party Time

We went shopping on Friday to go and spend our vouchers, and all ended up spending every last penny. We then got back home and slowly got ready for Jackie's birthday meal. The cab picked us up at 7pm and we got to the Brazilian restaurant at half past. Jackie's nerves suddenly kicked in as she was going to be seeing people she hadn't seen in around 20 years, but when everyone arrived she was fine and it she was pleased to see everyone again. The food was delicious! A seafood like starter, selection of meats for main and there was a big selection of desserts. There was entertainment later on which was very good. There was two ballroom dancers and then jackie and dad got on stage and danced..... Rather embarrassing i have to say, & then the place turned into abit of a club. Music blasting and the stage filled with people. Of course we all got up and boogied the night away. Execept from Morgan who was asleep on the chair and grandad who refused to get up. Then at about 1am we finally left to have more drinks back home with everyone. I didn't last the whole night, and went to bed shortly after returning home... But I wasn't the only one who was abit tipsy... Most people were and I'm sure everyone was looking forward to the nice hangover the next day.


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Return from Kruger

Our trip back to Johannesburg was long. We left at around 10am and got back at about 4pm. We did stop off at a fast-food restaurant in-between, called steers, which is a burger place. The food was nice but the service was shocking! We then got home and had a KFC with grandad which was very nice. That night there was a massive thunderstorm and we all hoped that the weather would be better the next day.....

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Braai & Lions

The weather didn't look so bad in the morning so we thought the day would be a good day. We left to go to the park at about 9:30am and after getting lost a couple of times we finally got there. A load of friends from the meal turned up and we all sat and had a lovely braai. In-between, we went and saw the baby cubs and got to go in and play with them for 5 minutes. They were So cute!! I wanted to put one in my bag and take it home! We also went and saw the lions, wild dogs and cheetahs get fed which was great to watch from up close and not behind a gate. When we got back to the Braai area, the food was ready and we all sat down to eat. Then half way through eating, the rain decided to come and we all packed up and carried the food to a sheltered area that had a bit undercover bouncy castle for Morgan and the other children. The rain didn't stop it just seemed to get heavier. After eating We all went up to the cafe and had tea, coffee,milo (hot chocolate) and ice cream. Then after that returned to our cars to drive back home. On our way out of the park Jackie found an ostrich egg in the middle of the road, so we stopped and she picked it up and we decided to keep it... Not knowing that the mum was only a few feet in front of us lol. We found out that the breeding area across the road was still open and went in. There was lion and tigers and bulls all In big pens so that they could mate. We left at about 6pm and arrived home at about 7pm. We had toasties that Jackie made us before going to bed.



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Happy Birthday.

Prawns & Tequila........

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dearest Jackie.
Happy birthday to you. Xxxxx
Everyone was up early today, Jackie opened her cards and presents. the BIG 40 another reason for coming out to SA.
Once ready we drove to Alice & Roman's house for the prawn Braai Alice had organised. Lana & Peter came along with Trevor making a nice size crowd, with the main party on Friday at Rodizio.
The prawns were huge, the drinks were flowing, the music was playing and the sun was out. what more could you ask for at a prawn Braai.

That was pretty much the whole day, A few people quite tipsy, a few people very tipsy and some people very tired. Daddy Mac had a role in the flower bed and Alice was testing the theory that if you drop glass it breaks, which also tested Roman's patience!

Great day with great people, with my middle aged wife.






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Safari

This is what I had been waiting to do the most. The safari. I couldn't wait to see all the wild animals, most of all my favourite animal an Elephant! So we left around 9am and finally entered the national Kruger park. Which we almost didn't get into because if you wasn't from SA you had to show ID... Which we didn't have on us, but luckily Jackie blagged our way through saying we were south Africans. Lucky!
Then, off we went. Was a long trip round taking about 8 hours to get round not even Quarter of the park, but we ended up seeing loads of animals...
Lions
Elephants
Rhinos
Hippos
Giraffes
Zebras
Impala
Crocodile
Monkeys- baboons
Kudu
Wilde beasts
King fisher
African darter
Tortoises
Turtle
Mongooses
Warthogs

The fact that they are all wild was just amazing! And I have to say it was one of the best experiences I have had. Elephants are my favourite animals like I said, but when your parked beside one and it's not enclosed it is pretty scary. Morgan was especially scared and screamed his head off, bless him. The baboons were probably the best part, there was loads! They was on the roof of peoples cars including ours and they was just so funny to watch. The whole day was just amazing.
We returned to the lodge & picked Alice up who had spent the day relaxing. We went to a lovely restaurant. The food was gorgeous and we had a good night :-) shame about the weather... cold and rainy.
Got back to the lodge about 8/9 pm and was all so tired from our trip so went to bed as we have a long trip back home to grandees in the morning.

Elle



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Road Trip

Fairly early start today after dropping off daddy Mac at the KIA garage to collect his car we then picked up Alice and headed off.
Very straight forward to get to the Kruger National Park just follow the N4 from Johannesburg. I say straight forward, but three quarters of the way we followed the GPS and ended up driving through a township! Not a good idea in a brand new CRV.
Luckily we survived and live to tell another tale.
Finally we arrived at the lodge set on the edge of the National Park, Zebra on the porch with wild bore and impala in the garden.
We had dinner at a local pub restaurant, then early to bed as an early start tomorrow looking for The Big 5.



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Theme Parks & Thunder Storms

Leave your gun at the door ..............

Today we went to Eastgate shopping centre to spend the voucher we got given from grandad Ian. Morgan brought a remote control car and the rest of us left with nothing.
After that we left to go to Gold reef city, a theme park. We arrived at around 1:30pm and had until 6pm to get around it. Walking through the gates we read the sign that said no drinks, no food, no firearms ect. And then behind us was a little hut with a sign reading, drop guns here. So people could collect their guns afterwards. How mad is that!
Anyway, inside we managed to drag Morgan on the rapids and Go on a few rides. The high limit for most rides was 1.3ft and morgan was 1.2ft.... That was a let down. Before leaving, dad and I went on the golden loop which he decided to record the second time round on his phone. Very brave.
We left and went back home where we had KFC and then all settled down in the living room until bedtime.

Elle






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Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year everyone.
I think time and lack of sleep on the plane finally caught up with us last night and with valiant efforts by all to stay up for New Year we Finally surrendered to our tiredness.
Heavy rain last night with strong winds, even still all of us slept well.

This morning we went to Derek & Diane's, was great to see Derek again as not seen him for about 7 years. Since then he has got married and had 2 beautiful children. Will be catching up with them all again later before we go.

We then went to Spur for lunch, great food and service and a nice play area for Morgan and Elle to play in, loving the trampoline.

When we got back Alice and Roman came round to see us, not seen Alice who is Jackie's friend from nursery, for years, so again great to catch up and also to meet Roman. They have borrowed us their sat nav and Roman is sorting out wifi which means we will be Internet free from tomorrow. :-)

Jackie's birthday tomorrow and we are spending it at Alice & Roman's house, having a prawn Braai. Should be a great day.




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Arrival

So we eventually got on the plane at 7:30pm and took off at 8:10pm.
Didn't get much sleep during the journey as the plane had really bad turbulence throughout the flight. Morgan on the other hand slept like a baby!
The plane landed safely at 8:45am meaning we were finally in Johannesburg! :-) We collected out luggage which came through pretty quick and we then set off to find the car rental company.... Which didn't really go to plan.
The place we booked with didn't have our booking and they offered us a Toyota Yaris haha Which we obviously said no to as 4 of us + a load of luggage wasn't going to squeeze into that. In the end we managed to get a nice Honda CRV which is perfect for our trip.

We arrived at Grandad Ian's shortly after. It was lovely to finally meet him & I think he was a bit shocked at the size of Morgan as he last saw him when he was 1!

We then popped out to get some groceries. I got my favourite drink (grape fanta) & billtong (which is dry beef) Mmmm :-) we all struggled to walk around the shops as we was all so shattered! We came home soon after and got changed and relaxed In the sun. Grandad Ian cooked a lovely Braai (BBQ) Which we scoffed down. I think dad ate too much as he ended up collapsing on the floor braking all four legs of the chair! Hahahaha. I fell asleep on the sofa with dad afterwards, while Jackie bathed and Morgan played with the dogs.

We are all now on the sofa watching tv waiting for the new years to come!

Have a happy new year everyone.
Elle




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