And we're back...

Arrived back from our trip yesterday late afternoon. What a great experience... Will post pics of the two destinations seperately so it makes more sense...

Mapungubwe... we stayed in SAN Parks camp (South African National Parks) that is about a kilomtre from the border (of Botswana). It's also a world heritage site because a civilisation lived there until the 1300's or so I think. There's even a little museum (that has won architectural awards) showing artifacts including a famous gold rhino that were found on top of the hill.
Saw a LOT of animals, and even had a Elephant scare. One of the afternoons my sis and our hubby's were on the way back from a drive and we were coming down a steep rocky hill. We were just turning a corner when we were greeted with a bunch of elephants crossing the road! When one of the saw us it started coming towards us with ears flapping and kicking up dust. We promptly reversed but couldn't make it all the way up the hill. The elephant started relaxing a bit but there was no way we could go forward, and we were a bit nervous to just wait it out.So we made a 8-point turn and got out of there! Quite a rush!
The camp we stayed in (Vhembe Trails Camp) was great, with it's own little hill where we could view game in private while sitting in a little pool if you so desired!

Botswana... the accomodation was completely different, we stayed in an old farmhouse, very colonial! We went for game drives twice a day too. Didn't see as much animals, but more variety and some interesing ones like crocs, wild cats and jackals. Had another almost scary incident with eleplants... came accross a few of them drinking but there was a TINY calf among them and the mom started freaking out a bit and trumpeted at us. Baby elly was so cute though, did get a picture! Also saw (from afar luckily) a massive herd of them RUNNING towards the river. Was an unforgettable sight. They ran for kilometres while making a huge noise. It was fantastic.

Back at work, was a proper long day today!!! At least next weekend is the school reunion, which should be pretty good.

2 sleeps...

Then my sis and her hubby get here! Then another sleep before be leave for Mapungubwe and Botswana !!!!!!!!!!! Last time I was in that area was 10 years ago and it was fantastic. Very excited. Not sure what the weather is going to be doing, but think hot days and cold nights are a safe bet. Will start Malaria pills tomorrow night. Already started packing as well. Now just to survive 2 days at work....

Rib paid seems to be basically gone no thank goodness. Let's hope it stays that way... Untill after the trip then :-)

P.S. Have another very very very exciting trip coming up later this year... watch this space!

Injury

I've managed to obscurely randomly injure an old scar. No idea how or what I did, but on Monday I started feeling pain where one of my old drainage pipes were when I got my transplant. On Tuesday the pain was worse and by Wednesday quite swollen and a bit red. Thought I'd maybe broken a rib or something so went to the Dr. Of course my Dr would be overseas at the moment (Murphy!) so had to see his partner. Had x-rays done, nothing broken. So don't really know what it is, but gotTrans Act patches for the pain and they seem to be helping. Apparently it might be scar tissue that got hurt or a cracked rib. Who knows, feeling pretty blond.

Only 5 sleeps before it's holiday time :-) Can't wait.

Bad things always happen in 3's...

So this week the CF community lost 3 of it's angels... Judette (28), Dominique (22) and Schamone (19). Dominique and Schamone were both waiting for lungs. It's really terribly sad and could have possibly been prevented if more people were donors. I cannot imagine what their families must be going through :-( Thoughts are with them... really SUCKS

Easter weekend has been quiet. Went to church, did a bit of gardening for the last time before winter. Sorted out some stuff in the house, went to gym, caught up on admin etc. My parents are back from their trip down to my grandparents today so we'll be havng lunch at their place. Also playing squash this afternoon. So all in all a productive weekend I guess.

In 2 weeks and a bit we're setting off on a family holiday to Mapungubwe and Botswana for 6 days! Really starting to get excited for it. Will also be the first time my sis and her husband come along as a "married couple" - going to be great spending some time with them too. Will have to take malaria tablets for our trip just to be on the safe side... luckily it's not a high risk area and won't be summer either.

Autumn!

It's autumn! Leaves are starting to change, there's a definite chill in the air... soon it'll be just plain cold :-( Although it will be a nice change, feels like it's been summer forever, probably also because when we went overseas last winter it was summer there...

Speaking of which, been very nostalgic about our Sweden/England holiday last year... wish we could have that holiday all over again! And next year the Games are obviously here in SA, so I would guess our next trip abroad will be for the 2015 games... which feels IMPOSSIBLY far away! Oh well, time flies when you're having fun at least!

Dullstroom weekend away

Had a great weekend break-away to a farm outside a small town called Dullstroom. Didn't do much... slept a lot, made great food, drove into town on Sat fo lunch, went for a walk etc. All in all nice and relaxing! Some pics below...

Check Up

First Drs check-ups for the year done, next one in May! Saw dermatologist and tx docs this week... Dermatologist burnt a few warts-thingy's off again (side effect of my pills, so what's new!).

Transplant/Lung check-up went great, lung function the same at 99% FEV1 (Forced Vital Capacity like 109%!), x-rays great, ALL bloods normal, even the sugar-related ones! So all's good :-) Praise the Lord!

Next is gynae on 18 May.... more that 2 months break at least. Have a great weekend!

Holiday report-back

OK OK I know we've been back for a week already! At least I posted photo's :-) Our week off was very nice... Jansenville was nostalgic. I took Chris to my grandparents old farm, where we spend many a weekend as children. It was probably my last time on the farm too, as it's been sold now :-( Took a lot of pics, that I'll still post later.

Storms River Mouth was heaven as always. Still my favourite place in the world. Just the smell there makes me relax instantly. If only I could bottle it and take a sniff every time a Dr wants to take my blood pressure. Did a lot of hiking and relaxing, the two days went WAY too fast!

On Thursday we went to PE for the wedding. That evening we had a kitchen tea/bachelorette party for Chrislie. Was lots of fun, and she got some great gifts!!!! Friday was BUSY BUSY BUSY, picking up flowers, taking stuff to the hotel, having our nails done, driving between malls looking for a specific lipstick, helping with the flower arrangements, supper with family... On the Saturday we were up at 5h30, had to be at the hairdressers by 7AM, had make-up done there too. The ceremony started at 11AM, followed by photo's, and lunch was served at 14h00. Was a great afternoon, I think we only left the venue after 19h00. Went out for a pizza with Antoinette afterwards and collapsed in bed! On Sunday we caught up with some friends and sorted out my sister and her new hubby's flat for them a bit. Drove back to JHB on Monday...

Work was fine at least last week, 4-day weeks are great! This coming week's going to be full-steam rat-race again. Seeing dermatologist on Monday, and having my 3-monthly lung check up on Wednesday. Then Thursday and Friday at work is going to be crazy due to month end. So by next weekend I will have forgotten I even HAD a holiday :-)

Mr & Mrs Pretorius!!!

Storms River