late summer escape

A week away with Jan and Ellen in Noetzie is drawing to a close. I think it has probably been 10 years now that we have had the privilege of being invited to this magical place.  After our first invitation I was told, in no uncertain terms that I would not be invited back unless I started playing golf.  That never happened but I proved to be a pretty nifty insect and bug catcher (and drinking companion) so we have been back, many times. Lucky us!

So here I sit, on the deck, in my favorite Adirondack chair, on the last night of our holiday, iPad on my lap (with it's battery rapidly running down), wine glass perched next to me, writing a quick blog to share my pictures and wonderful holiday with you (sharing pictures proving a problem). I am testing the iPad and plan to post this when we reach the top of the hill tomorrow and get cell phone reception.

No electricity, phones or television (or hair dryer). Gas lights, candles and rain water tanks (and kinky hair). A canoe for transport across the lagoon to the sea. Noetzie has been deserted and besides seeing some tourists on the beach we feel as though we have had the whole reserve to ourselves (OK, not so, a troop of inquisitive monkeys have paid us daily visits). We have seen Loeries and Kingfishers, Crows and Cormorants.  Ellen knows her birds.

The sea has been awesome this week.  Great waves and the water the perfect temperature. We had two days of drizzle which provided welcome relief from the hot sun but spoiled the game of golf planned for Michael and Ellen. A lovely lunch at Enrico's was a good substitute (for me anyway).

We ate like kings, drank gins at lunchtime and played cards or just chatted at night. We had afternoon sleeps and still had relatively early nights.  No curtains required so it is like sleeping under the stars.   I finished a book and a half, did crossword puzzles and read the latest magazine.

Our bodies are tanned - mine probably too much. I love the feeling of prickly skin under the hot shower.  A red and peeling nose and forehead on a 55 year old however is not very attractive. So what, I've been on holiday.

So tomorrow morning we will have our last swim, pack up and head home.  A special time in a special place with two very special friends.  Thanks Jan and Ellen.

We found out on Friday morning that our house had been burgled on Thursday.  The power was cut and the house ransacked.  Everything in our bedroom had been turned upside down and pulled out of cupboards and drawers. Gareth's fancy laptop and computer equipment has been taken but our television and other stuff all seems to be there (unless they have come back!!). So it is probably jewelry and cash that they were looking for and Michael is a great one to hide cash in his sock drawer.

They better have left my pile of birthday presents alone!

Back to life, back to reality we go!!