Oldies and young 'uns

Again, it seemed like we'd never been away, even though our last visit to South Africa was nearly three years ago. As we drove up to Mossel Bay, past bare, harvested wheatfields baking beneath the late summer sun and the green Riviersonderend mountains shimmering in the distance, it really felt like a time warp.

Cousins comparing tans

At Santos Haven, a residential village on the outskirts of Mossel Bay, Rich's grandparents from two sides of the family, Grandpa Tom and Granny Pat, had both recently moved into Frail Care rooms. We spent the next three days visiting Grandpa, who has limited mobility due to a stroke, in his room every morning and evening. He was in good health and excellent spirits, and had hundreds of questions about our trip.

Family reunion

Our base was the traditional family haunt, The Island at Great Brak, where aunt Sheila and family had rented a house for a couple of weeks. Cousin Shaun and family were visiting from Denver, Colorado; we met their second child Nathan for the first time and shared in his first birthday party on 24 March. Inbetween visits to Santos Haven, we filled our days and evenings with barbeques, trips to the beach, and plenty of chat!

What a marvellous opportunity to catch up with everyone. Certainly the timing for our visit couldn't have been better. Seeing Shaun, Soly and family was a real bonus.

Grandpa Tom in his favourite chair

Ida and Nathan