Bits & bobs

Today we broke routine. These nights are such fun. This mornings episode was somehow the fog horn that wanted to warn someone that we were finally sleeping nicely. Thanks for that. 03h40 frikking alarm. Last week I had set the alarm to wake us so that we would be on time for our flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. Clever me forgot to turn it off, so according to orders the alarm clock went off. Nice that my phone was downstairs. Back to bed and it took a little while to fall asleep again. Another broken night and I was glad when I awoke at 05h45. Out of bed and how about that cup of coffee? 

In Holland we would say that the plan for today was "wisseldag". Usually a saturday in the holiday period bookings for accomodation are from Saturday to Saturday and then party A leaves and is swapped With Patry B. Cleaning and setting up is the order of the day. We had decided that today would be our "wisseldag". Bit of spit and polish and the changing of the bedding and washing as we were almost out of clean clothes. 

We were not going to throw our routine overboard completely, but do other things between. Bet that bed is going to feel extra lekker tonight!. Yoga after coffee is a must. Ingrid says that I am progresing, but I do not think so, perhaps a little. I still feel that my body is tight, but maybe it has decided to protest less. I do not know what I think of Yoga yet, but Rome was not built in a day. I think I might like it soon. Trust the process!

Jason from Carbonology Sport sent an app that the loan ski was going to arrive here today. He had managed to find someone to bring it down to Cape St Francis from PE. I was a bit nervous as I had brought some "soft roofracks" with me from Holland. Not tried and tested by me, so I was sceptical. Shout out to Andrew who brought the ski. Time to put the soft tops to the test. Thankfully the wind was not blowing a gale, All tied on and off we go. No expectations (see previous post). I was expecting the worst, but was very pleasantly surpised at how well the soft roofracks were working. I can appreciate that at high speed or strong wind it would not be ideal, but for the short trip to the beach or down to the canals at St Francis they will do quite nicely. Shout out to the developer of the soft roofrack.

Just before this we had decided to do the lighthouse walk. It was only a 35 minute round trip and that fitted in perfectly with the timing of having to go and meet Andrew to pick up the surfski. Whilst I was doing the pick up, Ingrid was busy in the house. It was quite cute to come home and there she was hanging up the freshly washed things on the washing line outside in the fresh air. No tumble driers here! 

Time to decide what we were going to have for dinner. In the car and off to the village. We had decided to visit our local baker Barry once more whose Ciabatta turned out to be top notch! We purchased a vegetable lasagne and a seed loaf bread and some health option rusks. Next stop was the grocery store for bits and bobs. Whilst I was getting another little bag of droe wors, Ingrid popped into the boutique shop across the passage. "I only saw this", was her statement. Eish, into the packet and it came home with us.

Back home it was afternooner time. Once again trying to catch up for a restless nights sleep, but hey, we are on holiday! Cuppa tea and down to Kingy's beach for a swim. Ingrid took another giant leap for mankind and we tried to catch waves. Back for more, once again, one more, another one and so it went. It is wonderful to see her progress in the ocean. Slowly catches the worm! Well done Ingy!

TIme for the time trial. I was off to St Fancis bay canals with the surfski for my 1st Wednesday evening time trial. A times 5km (or 10km) paddle throught the tidal canals. I arrived at 17h28 and had to still set up my foot boards to my leg length and get my surfski into the water and to the starting line. Ready, steady, GO!  I was still not setup properly and had to watch the paddles disappear around the first bend before I got off paddling. I was worried about not knowing where to go, as it was kind of like a maze. Fortunately after the second bend I could see some paddlers in the distance. Catching people in a surfski is like 2 trucks overtaking eachother on the highway. It takes forever, or so it feels. Slowly catches the worm. by the end of the 5km, I was happy that I had chosen to do the 5km course and not the 10km (2 rounds). Partly because I was unsure as to the route, and partly because I started with a handicap and put in quite a bit of effort to get to the back markers and try to progress up the field. Including the handicap I was in under half an hour. I do not know if this is good or not so good, but next week I plan to be on time or early at the start. 10.7 km/hour I will take. 

The vegetable lasagne had been in the fridge the whole day and was still frozen. Patience people. Patience! Yes, patience was rewarded. Baker Barry had done a marvelous job! Yum. There is more for tomorrow! 

Boy did our Mother treat us to a gorgeous sunset. Actually the whole day had been absolutely marvelous! I can feel a little touched by the sun on my nose and neck. Just enough. Talking of the weather, we have taken a peek at the forecast for the coming weekend. The plan is usually that the family comes over, but Friday night is going to be a belter. Stormy winds and lots of rain! F... the bunker, we are off to PE to go braai and sleep at my brothers house. There the forecast is a lot favourable.