a long weekend in the mountains

I bet you were wondering what had happened to me?  Well, I hope you missed me?? What a wonderful long weekend we had at Rusty Gate. It was almost a year ago that we spent a weekend there to celebrate Dalene's 50th and we needed no excuse for another weekend in the mountains.

The 51 year old Cretin and her Spawn in beanies
(pretty Cretin, pretty Spawn)

da Brudder and da Wif at da Fire that burned continuously for 3 days

Cousins (and Ally) chilling on the swing

Kelly and Ally chilling on the swing

They had a fire at Rusty Gate about 2 months ago.  You can see the devastation but

when walking it is so amazing to see all the new greenery coming through

Rolling hills and awesome clouds

Awesome hills and rolling clouds

and an unused swimming pool

It was far too cold to swim or use the foofy slide this year

(next time)

Rob and Nanna stepping out

Me and 2 of me three

(Me (and we) missed you Matthew)
(very muchly)

No work on Friday and I arrived back home on Monday at lunchtime. It has been non-stop action since then, this is the first time I have a moment to catch up on some blogging and taken a look at my photographs.  Nic left this morning for Pretoria (via Bob's farm and Kimberley for two nights).  He has been lucky to get an internship at a big law firm in Pretoria for two weeks.  Gareth leaves tomorrow morning for 3 weeks overseas for work, so for the first time ever, I am left "home alone" with the my usual "faraway child" Matthew now being the closest one to Cape Town.

A song for them.  Maybe a bit of a sad song but I am not sad.  It is just one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a long time.  Hope you like it.  (I know Hope will?)

When there's no one here in the tryouts 

Who will live through your first day's trial 

Of confusion when your faint and crooked smile 

Had to leave 

When you're painted like a warrior 

Though you know it's a raining war 

When the first who spoke, but wasn't really sure 

Was your heart 

Your fear of the leading light 

If they are with you and your heart won't fail 

To see through a fearless eye 

And know that danger finally goes away 

Still you're trying 

But there's no leaving now 

With your quiet devotion 

To be lost like your child again 

Claim forever is a close and honest friend 

To your ways 

Will there be time to harvest rivers 

That for so long refused to grow 

All the little things you need to build a home 

For your love 

Your fear of the leading light 

If they are with you and your heart won't fail 

To see through a fearless eye 

And know that danger finally goes away 

Still you're trying 

But there's no leaving now