Open Season!

Well, hello again!  I have not forgotten about you all, but have been rather challenged to put my fingers into gear! Sorry. We had Rick here for three weeks – and boy oh boy did he do some serious disciplining of the gnus, impala and jackals. You see – some of them insist in pooping in the roads! Well that is the excuse anyway…  In the three weeks, he bagged 32 animals, and virtually all of them were one shot kills… only one gnu needed a second shot! He really is quite the marksman! It is always sad to say goodbye, but hopefully we will have the pleasure of his company again later in the year!
He spent loads of time, teaching me how to do all of the “cross-fit” exercises. He makes an outstanding coach, and I am now thoroughly convinced that this is really a phenomenal way to exercise and start each day. Quick and effective work outs, and I have seen such amazing improvements in my own strength and flexibility, I intend to continue as long as possible! Well done Rick!
JohnD has bought himself a new “pre-loved” mountain bike - inspired by the Munnik Meercat Mountain Bike challenge held just up the road mid March. He loved it! Borrowed a bike from the Ivy's, and came home determined to buy his own. The ones he has been riding are not as user-friendly or comfortable as the one he now has! Micaela has also bought herself a new “also pre-loved” phone – thanks Herman!!! Her previous phone just couldn’t handle being dropped so much! She got her very first report last week from her first term, and her overall average was 69.5% for all of her subjects. We are so proud of her… that is with being absent from school for three weeks, as well as the huge adjustment from home schooling to public boarding school.  Well done our "Scallywags"!!!
I have hopefully got myself a new “in training” cook. My cook (Augustina) for the past 10 years has a very ill mother, and she has opted to stay home and care for her. This leaves me rather tied up, with having to train and spend LOTS more time in the kitchen, BUT that is not a bad thing. Over time – all systems need to be adjusted and improved, and my systems are no different.
My sister Jenny, visited from Zim last weekend with her family! So lovely to see them all again. The two boys (JohnD + Michael) completely wore out Monopoly, which was fun. I remember the Monopoly marathons when we were growing up! Kyra is growing up so fast, and is such a beauty.
We have Terry and Jo arriving tomorrow for the long weekend, and we currently have Matthew Greef in camp with his guest… so it has been pretty busy. They are bow hunting, and have bagged two nice animals in just two days, so that is great! Nicol and Karia will come through on Thursday with their two boys, so we will finally get to meet young Wynand!
Hope you and yours are all well, happy, healthy and keeping out of mischief! ;)
Big Hugs from us in this dry and rain deprived part of the bush xxx

Just have to share these lovely pictures that Uncle Ted took! Thank you so so so much! :)

Rick is here !

Rick arrived about a week ago, and what a joy to have him back! It's been over a year since his last visit, and considering he has been coming (almost) annualy since 1995... it was about time! He has already half filled the cooler, so he has not wasted any time! The Jackals have also had a knock in their numbers... which is good!
We are still very short on rain, and have noticed the change in the season. Already in late March, many of the leaves have turned, or fallen, and the chill in the air has announced the arrival of "autumn"... and fast approaching winter.
Micaela is home from Merensky for her Easter holiday, so it is really lovely having her home again!
Mom is doing really well after her operation, and we are all very proud of her. The healing does take time, and she is doing better than I remember her doing after her last operation in 2011.
Our little squirrel is called Murdock... he has survived really well so far, and has discovered how to find his way throughout the house! He just loves to cuddle and would far rather be tucked in bed with us, than in his own bed, so he is quite sneaky at bed time!
Send us your news - we would love to hear from you!
Big hugs from us all here in Bandolierkop!

A few photos that survived...

Micaela, JohnD, Jo and Rick... @ Epcot :)

Our last evening with the Ford family ...

Uncle Ted & Micaela at Paula Dean's restaurant...

Our newest little treasure...

It's the wrong continent Micaela... you can't look for any princes here in Charleston!!!

Thanks Uncle Ted, and Ralph! ;)

The Ball Family... Feb, 2012

Micaela with Rick.

Hugs to you all... please remember our email address has changed. shiawela@gmail.com

Another new BABY :) & Internet agony >(

Yes, a tiny little fury 4 legged creature is curled up sleeping close to my heart! We have a baby squirrel. Looks like a little male. He fell from his nest, and was completely COLD when I got him. So - it's two nights along, and he is doing great! Eyes open, and drinking well. I think he is about three weeks old already.
On a very frustrating / sad / infurating note - my 17 year old email account has been compromised. In the last week, I've been bombarded with over 2000 undelivered messages. I have sadly had to delete the mweb email account, and have opened a new one. It is effective immediately. Please update your records! My new email address for ALL correspondence is shiawela@gmail.com
I have yet to copy my address book accross and send you all an update, but I will try to get to this. I have so many critical email messages that need to be sent out and I am physically unable to get to them all immediately. Please bare with me. If you are waiting to hear from me with your itinerary and contract, please send me an email to my new address, as I can then reply to your message and it will automatically add you to my address book.
I look forward to hearing from you... and so sorry for any inconvenience to you about this problem.
Jo
shiawela@gmail.com

Home sweet home & a new precious life!

This is going to have to be headlines!!! Sorry folks, my rambling days will come again, but with so many emails needing to go out, this is all I can do right now...
Home safely, after 3 weeks away - what a joy to have shared this trip with the kids. Disney World was just amazing. THANK YOU RICK!!! It was awesome... Will load photos when I can.
Biz and Shawn's wedding was special beyond words. What a joy, honour and privilege to be a part of it all. My photos all seem blurred and it appears we were having too good a time to stand still for any focus... ! But I will share what I can when I have sorted through them all. She looked amazing - yes OUR BIZ IS MARRIED!!! Wow. I know I was not the only one with "Wedding Withdrawals" when it was all over. I cried so much - all with JOY! Thank you so much Ted and Rosemary - what an awesome and treasured time... memories forever!
The two weeks in Charleston FLEW, and many special friendships were rekindled - thank you ALL! We just love ya'll, and you know we will be back!
Dad and Mom are very well, and as always - our amazing support and back up. Thank you for everything!
Our dearest Champ had to have his back leg amputated, so we are nursing him now. It seems that his little foot was not functioning any more and with all of the dragging, it got infected, and would not heal.
We have another baby buffalo - a bull :) born about two weeks ago!
Nicol and Karia had another son today!!! Wynand Victor weighed 3.33 kgs and is 51 cm long. Another beautiful little baby!
Micaela was very excited to get back to her beloved school and friends. JohnD also back working - they both now have REALLY experienced jetlag, and it's quite funny
Conditions here still very very dry. :(
Big hugs to you all - the BALLS IN THE BUSH!

Brilliant Bush Bulletin!!!!!!

Ken and Micaela took a drive this afternoon. Ken was up one the kopjie (Fort Biff) and Micaela was sitting on the ball valve at the waterhole. The herd of buffalo came in to drink, and she very quickly got onto the truck. She saw first hand our newest little baby buffalo, whom she named "Merensky". This little lady did a wee in front of Micaela so we KNOW she is a girl!!!
GREAT EXCITEMENT!!!
Micaela came home from bording school again this weekend and she is just as happy as can be. She loves her new school and is adjusting well. THANK YOU LORD!
We leave for the USA on Saturday night, so just a few short days left. LOADS to get done, but we are all getting excited. The children will be joining us in the USA this year. We will spend our time in Charleston and Atlanta.
Biz is getting married the weekend before SEWE, so we can't wait to celebrate with the Ford family! - - - In haste! Love Jo xxx