After the trip, we went to Annie and Norman's (friends of Ian and Nikki) house for tea and Christmas cake. Talk about "Out of Africa". I thought I'd been thrust into a novel. The spacious house was built by Annie's grandmother in the late 40s. Thatched roof - Anglo-African. It is situated on a ridge in Haenertzburg with the most magnificent views of their 100+ hectares and the mountains beyond. Pool, tennis courts, stables, and English gardens as far as the eye can see. It is breathtaking. Annie and her husband grow avocado trees and evergreens for lumber...and they raise horses. Her parents have just taken a string of racehorses to Singapore!!!
This is the view from the terrace where we had tea.
Hydrangeas (not native) thrive here - one sees them everywhere, even on the side of the road - gorgeous range of colors. Azaleas (also introduced) are a magnificent sight when in bloom. The weather up here is much cooler, so much so that Annie's pool is painted black to retain the heat!
We were so tired from the fresh air that we barely made it through a light supper. Bed at 8:30!
Dearest Elaine, So love to read about your wonderful adventures with your South African relatives. Our Christmas was much tamer; but so wonderful for us. As we do not often get to see and be with Jon, we had a wonderful Christmas celebration with him. We got up kind of late. Jon made cinnamon rolls and coffee and tea. We sat around the livingroom with the fireplace going. Angie's little boy, Christopher, was star of the day. After opening our gifts, we just kind or chilled out. I did some food prep in the late morning; our gift to Angie was to prepare the Christmas dinner. I cooked a nice tenderloin; which in Florida, is like gold...$27.99 per pound!!! Bill made his world-famous spinach souffle and some pretty mean red bliss and chive mashed potatoes. Of course, as Christmas Day is also Bill's birthday, we had a lovely chocolate birthday cake. The cake had "Happy Birthday, Bill" written on it; we decided not to put "69" on it. Argh!!!! Next year will be the big 70!!! We enjoyed our Christmas dinner outside on the lanai; a most enjoyable experience. The weather here is so mild. Got to chat by phone with Nan and Margie and Dick. Yesterday, the 26th, was a fun day....we visited a humongous Flea Market; this is really a gigantic marketplace in Sanford that sells everything from fresh produce to car parts; sort of reminds me of the one Bill and I visited in Florence Italy last March. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner out at a Kobe Steakhouse. Today, Bill and I hung all of the Jon's artworks (and there are many). Remember, they just moved in on December 1st; so there were a lot of things around the house that had to be done. It was pretty special for me to see all of the wonderful paintings that Grandpa Erl and Grandma Jan had,over the years, given to Jon. It really took almost the whole day to do that job. As Bill and I were pretty pooped by the end of today, we really enjoyed going out to diner this evening. Tomorrow, we plan to do some more chores to help the kids get settled into their new digs. There home is a mere 3000 sq. feet. Oh my god, I would'nt know what to do with all that space. In addition, they have a beautiful lanai with pool and jacuzzi. We'll be here through New Year's Eve; then we head south for Naples. I talked with our landlady yesterday; she says we can check into our condo in Naples at about noon on New Year's Day. We'll probably leave Jon's in Casselberry around 8:00 am and get to Naples by 12:30. We have one free day, January 2, to get settled in before Kris and Alan arrive on the 3rd. Continue to enjoy your time with your relatives; it sounds as if you are having the time of your life! Your photos are wonderful and your narratives so vivid. It all does sound like "Out of Africa" By the way, do you have a "Leecence for your Minke?" Bill enjoyed one of his Davidoff's on Christmas Day. Thank you for the call. So great to hear your voice. Love and miss you big time. Ciao, Bill and Julie
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