Jan
31
This is the first time in the 7 months that we have been here that I will be blogging for a two week period in one sitting. I travelled back to South Africa last week to attend my nephew’s wedding. I had doubts before I went as to whether or not I should go, but as the time grew nearer I realised that there simply was really no question in it, and looking back now I know that I could have made no better decision. 
The shock of the hot weather in South Africa, after weeks of sub-zero temperatures over here, was startling. I could simply not believe the impact it had on my body. I hired a car and spent a truly incredible week at the beautiful Blue Lagoon Hotel on the Nahoon River. I enjoyed the most memorable beach walks, beautiful African sunsets, soft, warm, sea sand beneath my feet, real SA’n braai’s, quiet lazy dinners on the patio of my hotel room, and not to forget at least one awesome evening at the Ocean Basket. Being with my brothers family as fantastic. Morné (my nephew and the groom) is usually in Ireland, so being back in SA with him was a real treat. 
Morné married Joanne and will soon be returning to Ireland with her. The wedding was undoubtedly the best wedding I have ever attended. For a wedding that was planned and executed within 1 month, it was elegant and sophisticated, it was tasteful and emotional, and it was filled with the most amazing people and moments. I was the MC for the evening (I think I would prefer “madam of ceremonies”), but whatever you want to call it, it was one of the most memorable things I have ever done for someone else. Morné’s groom speech was also the most heartfelt, most sincere speech I have ever heard at a wedding. I could never have been more proud of him. [Michael, you can stop thanking me now for travelling back to be with you guys. It was my absolute pleasure and I would do it again in a heart-beat.] Most of my week was taken up with wedding things, but the rest of my time in South Africa was filled to the brim with some “me time” and many many moments that I will remember forever. Thank you!
South Africa is in the grip of World Cup fever. The theme is everywhere. Prices have escalated beyond belief (R50.00 for a toasted sandwich??), there are exciting new construction projects everywhere, new malls, new hotels, new berths set aside in harbours for cruise ships, there is a sense of excitement amongst the people that is almost palpable, but the stories in the news will still turn your stomach and you cannot deny that behind all this beauty, behind all this sense of excitement there lies another truth about a country which has a long difficult road ahead.
On Wednesday evening when I arrived back in the UK, Mitchell asked me where I felt “HOME” was. I had to swallow hard and try to compose myself as I looked him in the eye to say that when I am in SA it feels like home, but when I am in the UK, it too feels like home. I think I am carrying “HOME” around in my heart, just like someone recently said. It makes it easier to deal with the feeling of being homesick, if you know that “HOME” really can be where you are at the time.
On the same day that I was at Morné’s wedding in SA, Mike, Jenna and Mitchell attended Ian and Margo’s wedding in Hampton Court. Ian is Mike’s cousin and one of the most genuine, awesome guys I have ever met. Best wishes to you guys too and see you soon. It’s a promise.
Mitchell also played a hockey match while I was away and after months of asking him to score a goal “with my name on it” he successfully did it – while I was on the other side of the world. Maybe that’s the way it was meant to be, my boy. Either way, I am very proud of you.
Mitchell also started cricket practice for the first time in England this week. He is playing at the Judd indoor sports centre for the Bidborough Colts team. He fitted in with the rest of the team and with the coaches like a glove. If there is one area where I think England could learn from SA, it would certainly be in the way children are introduced to sport in schools. In some cases in SA I do think that some schools place too much emphasis on sport, but when you can get the balance right between academics and sport then children can certainly thrive and it is one thing that I miss over here – real school sport.
Arriving back in England this week was a surprise for me. It’s amazing what a difference 1 week can make. I came back to a feast of indicators that perhaps spring is just around the corner. There are new little shoots on plants, longer days, and warmer temperatures. The seasons here are so very different and distinct and when you spot the onset of a new season you can be sure that it won’t take long until you are met with a feast of change. We arrived in the summer and loved the transition through the autumn, we are currently passing through the winter, and already finding the first signs of spring, I am personally looking so forward to the bright new colour palette, but before it arrives I have to ask…. What happened to it? Where is it? This terrible, dark, miserable, gloomy, “you’ll-only-survive-one”, English winter, that everyone warned us about? Although I know its not quite over yet, the question still remains…. Was that it? Really
