Well there is a lot of catching up to do as I have only just got the USB modem to get onto wireless. It appears that our card reader in our computer is faulty so hence we had to buy the USB modem instead this time around. Nevermind, I will now endeavor to update you all.
Wednesday 31 March we headed out on a boat for a sunset cruise from the Waterfront towards Camps Bay. This was all part of the wedding pre celebrations. It was very windy (such a shame), but so many people to catch up with from all over the world. And a “new brother” for Leanne to meet as well – long story, but a lovely one. We then trundled along to Mitchells pub for a few drinks whilst waiting for the minibus to pick us up and take us to Millers Thumb for dinner. So many old faces it was fantastic catching up with the likes of Fi who I hadn’t seen for 4 years plus, Clive & Rachel (4 years), Muzza, Homer, the list goes on and on. Anyway all in all a great night out.
Thursday 01 April it was off to Leanne and James’s place for a lamb on the spit. Got to meet a heap of Leanne’s relations and also some of James’s as well. Once again more people had arrived from all over and a great night was had by all.
Friday 02 April we drove up to Worcester to collect our vehicle to take across to Tullbagh for the wedding weekend extravaganza!! We got our car which is about a foot longer now (we had it cut and stretched) and it looks great. Headed across to Tullbagh which is a lovely drive through a wine region. We stayed at Morgansvlei Country Estate which is a beautiful spot. Looking out from the front verandah at a lovely lake and the mountains in the background quite special. Got settled in and meet some friends of James from UK – so we all headed in to town to get some lunch. Had a fabulous lunch at a lovely little restaurant called Readers Restaurant and Curious Cats, in a quaint little street – Church Street which is where all the cafes etc are. We got back to Morgansvlei and relaxed until the evening where we were meant to be meeting up with most of the other guests at the Bush Pub down the road.Well it was just magic, like a huge overland reunion! Only down falls were they ran out of beer, then cider and to top it off Vodka!! Can you run out of Vodka I ask you. They also gave our meals away to someone else and so I had to go and see the kitchen and sort things out there. I just don’t think they were prepared for us, even though Leanne and several others had warned them well in advance. Oh well it was Easter Friday and nothing else open so I think that most people were drinking Milk Stout in the end as that was all they had left.
Saturday 03 April today is the big cricket match – Africa v’s Others. This was booked and paid for in advance and so you can imagine the reason James was so livered when he found the cricket pitch flooded. This was at Morgansvlei and apparently the groundsman had put on the sprinklers and forgot about them for 24 hours!! AWA (Africa wins again)! Anyway James got them all jumping around and they managed to get the pitch mostly dry or should I say drier than it was. A very entertaining match commenced at around 2pm and the very lovely Rochelle was the score person on the bank and a very wonderful job she did too. Meanwhile James Uncle John made a fabulous umpire. There were a few disputes over certain members of teams: e.g. Trevor born in SA and living in Aussie playing for others, but an entertaining game to boot. Martin, James’s brothers provided special t-shirts for both sides and kindly paid the bar tab at the end of the game – big thank yous and appreciation all round for that! The cricket pitch had a lovely little bank in front which was great enjoyment for all the kids who grabbed all the cardboard and proceeded to slide down it all afternoon. A great day was had by all and it was a wonderful buildup to the wedding. We all headed off down to the Bush Pub again for dinner and I am glad to say that they had bought in enough food and drink for everyone this time round.

I will try and get some photos on later. Love and hugs to all xxx

Well we have had a lovely day today. It has been around 30 degrees and we headed out towards the Constantia Valley for Andrew's party.

We left early and went to Steenberg Vineyard for a wine tasting and then a lovely lunch at their bistro. Very nice and lovely to taste some really good SA sparkling wine as well as a super Sav. Blanc. We got a case of each and also 2 each of some other wines.

We then headed to Kath & Richard's place for the party. Was great, lovely house and caught up with loads of people that I haven't seen for years. Mr & Mrs Bam (Kathy's parents) who I used to work for here in Cape Town, Trevor, Rochelle, Eleanor & Ruby who are over from Oz, Nicole & William over from UK, Wendy & Zach, Baz, Barbs & Ashley, and so many more I can't remember them all - sorry.

We had a lovely afternoon by the pool with lovely company - thanks so much to Kathy & Richard (and of course Andrew) for a lovely time.

Tomorrow we are heading up to Worcester and will probably stay a couple of nights. We have to start packing the trailer up and getting everything ready for our trek to Mozambique. We will possibly start on Tuesday 6 April after the wedding and also after the Easter break - hopefully there will be a little less traffic.

Love & hugs to all xx

Well I unfortunately ate something which didn't agree with me and have a dodgy tummy for a few days now!! Bit of a pain as there is so much lovely food to choose from in Cape Town.

Nevermind I will live and we have been having lovely weather here so far. Went out and saw the car and trailer on Tuesday and it looks really good. It has been cut and stretched, so an extra 18 inches behind the front seats which now makes for a very comfortable ride in the back. So if anyone wants to join us for awhile it will not be a horrificly cramped up experience.

We had Leanne's Hen Night last night which was great fun. Barbs arranged everything and we all meet at Lea's place for drinks and snacks. Then a belly dancer arrived and entertained all of us ladies. Then it was our turn we all had a lesson in belly dancing - very good fun and so funny.

We then all went off to the Saffron Lounge in Camps Bay for more drinks and a bit to eat. Was lovely catching up with everyone and a lovely setting to boot.

Martin went out with James and a few of the boys for drinks on a boat at the waterfront and then on to dinner. They then ended up at a night club where no on could hear - so he duly left and got home around midnight. I arrived home at 1.30am.

Tomorrow is Andrew's 1st birthday (Richard & Kath's little boy) so will go over to them in Constantia for a few hours in the afternoon.

Monday we will make our way up to Worcester and probably stay for 2 nights. We have to start packing the trailer up and getting everything ready for the next part of our adventure. Thanks Yvette for your little comment; hope you are having lovely weather in UK.

Well hope you are all well, sending big hugs and kisses to all xxx

Well for those of you who didn't know we are now starting our adventure again. We flew out of Heathrow on 20 March with BA.... which could have been a huge mistake as their 3-4 day strike began that day. As it was we got to Heathrow in great time and Terminal 5 was empty. I had tried to checkin online for an hour at home, but was unsuccessful. So went up to one lady on a bag drop counter to ask where to go. She said they weren't busy and would check us in.

She then said that an earlier flight has been reinstated and asked if we would like to take it. Of course we said yes, would rather have 2 hours extra in Cape Town than waiting around Heathrow. There were only 30 people in total on the flight, 5 of us on the upper deck and 25 downstairs. There were 14 crew plus the pilots. So heaps of room and plenty of very happy attentive crew to attend to us.

We also had a full service even though originally we were told there would be no hot meals. We had a fantastic dinner and breakfast. I also managed to sleep some of the way which was fabulous.

A car was at the airport to pick us up and take us to our hotel (V & A Hotel) and when we got there they had upgraded us to their Dock House which is across the road on a hill overlooking the waterfront. Fabulous views and really nice, only 6 rooms and with a swimming pool.

We had a lovely lunch and a walk around the waterfront, before deciding to read for awhile (sleep actually is what this amounts to)! We went to Sevruga for dinner which was just perfect and then got home to get a good nights sleep.

Got up around 9am and went down to breakfast which was great and then I had a waxing appointment at the spa. We then met Lizzie and Andy for lunch. We briefly saw Wendy and Zach before lunch was lovely to catch up. Had a lovely relaxing lunch and caught up on all of Andy & Lizzie's gossip. Then bought them back to the Dock House as Lizzie has never been here before.

Now just relaxing on the verandah reading as a film crew are all around us filming not sure what throughout our hotel. Tonight we are having dinner with Leanne & James, can't wait to catch up with them.

Hope all is well with everyone take care - big hugs & kisses to all Dee & Martin xx

Well for those of you who don't know we are now back in the UK. We arrived back on Monday morning early to a beautiful day - which was great. We ended up flying BA as they were the only ones who had any seats available. Martin slept from the time he put his head down till the time we landed (I think)!!

As for myself well it was a totally different story - there was alot of turbulence and I didn't manage to catch any sleep at all, but I did watch 5 movies!!!! Nevermind Andy was there to pick us up which was great and we got home about 11am.

Wizzy was over the moon to see us and she is looking a much slimmer version than when I left in January. Tristram has done a great job looking after her, so I now have to keep myself from feeding her little titbits as it is not good for her... smack on the hand Dee!!!

It is lovely to be back home and the weather yesterday was lovely, except for one heavy shower which almost caught Martin & his Dad out. I managed to weed and prune the rose garden which looks much better for it. Apparently there has been loads of rain here throughout July and August - so everything has grown heaps including the weeds.

Well hope you are all fit and well as we are. I have been in the gym every morning for an hour since we got home (yes I know only 2 mornings have gone by, but at least it's a start).

Loads of hugs and kisses to you all xxx

Our hut after the first day - not far to go then.....

On the trail - Day 1 (I think)