birdman

another interesting man we met on our cycle ride ...

see Braeden in the background, running up to have a look at the birds - he is passionate about animals of any kind

and was so delighted when this man allowed one of his birds to sit on his shoulder

check all the droppings on his shirt!
Patrick says he should have a shirt specially printed with bird droppings on it - so that you can't tell the real thing from the printed thing!

jamie

jamie is usually so busy, that we don't often get the opportunity to take too many photographs of him.

most of the time he is cycling/walking/running/eating much faster than any of us, and because he is usually moving so quickly, it is difficult to get an 'in-focus' photo :o)
but this day, he slowed just enough for us to get these photos of him

fearless, intrepid, bold, courageous, tenacious, life-filled boy (not to mention gorgeous!)

we met a fascinating man on our cycle today ...

for 8 years he has been coming into this fenced off area next to the beach, and feeding the cats.

After the first two years, he discovered that it was not only the cats who were coming for the food ....

There were two river mongoose as well!

After many years, they have become quite tame (only towards him), and they now have two babies!

This cat is in such good condition. Its name is Smidgen - and it loves Neil so much.

He also feeds a rooster which was rescued from being slaughtered on the beach early one morning in a religious ritual - and we managed to spot him too - looking very shiny and proud of himself

Neil says he has tried to introduce some hens for his rooster, but the mongoose ate them!

I've been loaned a bike!!

My very generous sister-in-law has offered me the use of her extra mountain bike

We picked it up today, and I had to try it out straight away!

So we packed the rest of the bikes on the car and set off for the Sun Coast promenade

Patrick gave it a try too

It is amazing!! Thank you Cathy!!

Inspired by my friend Ruth ...

we went out for a special treat to say thank you to the boys for working so hard around the house, and with such willing hearts

Braeden was so intent on posing for the camera he didn't notice the theft

I had a delicious bringal and tomato bake

then it was off to the sweet shop!

Braeden needed to ask quite a few people what their favourite colour was, in order to complete his graph ...

and kind Sipho was so willing to oblige

'school' photos

we thought it was probably a good idea to get an 'official' school photo doneand we couldn't leave the ugly mutt out

it is hard to believe

that we have a son who is old enough to start learning to drive

emerging

music is emerging from within the soul of this little boy

often he will hear himself play a particular chord and exclaim "I love it!"

when he practices, he does so for long periods, losing himself in the sounds he is creating

he is so privileged to be taught by a teacher of such high standing

she has a deep understanding of how to encourage this emerging talent

and we have the privilege of hearing him discover this beautiful instrument

and discover something within himself too

solid

we went on a holiday to the 'Berg at the beginning of the year, and had great fun making rock sculptures in the rivers for other people to discover