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| Durban Marina |
Richard's Bay to Durban was an overnight trip with great sailing for the first half but, due to lack of wind later, the iron genny was switched on for the remainder. The wind picked up as we arrived outside Durban Harbour but by then, we were right among the huge tankers so preferred to slalom our way through them under motor.
Christmas was a real treat this year. We spent it with long-time friends down at their summer home south of Durban. For us, this was the first occasion in many a year that Christmas included a houseful of children. Our friends, Richard and Hazel, have managed to produce five grandchildren in our absence, all 12 years old and younger, 4 boys and one girl. I think they thought we'd be horrified at the prospect of all the noise (and there was plenty of that!) but far from it. It took us back to previous Christmas holidays when our daughter and her cousins were very young and we watched the excitement a visit from Santa Claus would bring.
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| Kate, Brent, Hazel, Malachi and Seth |
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| Kate and Sebastian |
Their house was in constant action as only a house full of nine adults, five kids and two dogs could conjure up: trips to the beach to swim, to fish, to fly kites: making havoc in their swimming pool, and the general chaos created by trying to cater for this lot especially as, several times, the entire region was without water for 24 hours or more.
On the subject of catering, I have NEVER eaten so much, so often and so well for as long as I can remember. I KNOW I've gained a couple of kilos! I don't think the constant supply of wine, champers and liqueurs helped either, but you didn't hear anyone complaining, not seriously anyway.
One interesting phenomena we came across was swarms of swallows. We went off to Marina Beach to visit other friends as they had told us of the thousands upon thousands of swallows that settle down to nest in the reeds each and every night, and they weren't exaggerating. Just as dusk was approaching, massive swarms appeared in the sky then starting swooping down past us to find their homes for the night in the grassy reeds. The photo cannot possibly do it justice - it was quite a sight to see.
It really was super catching up on all the years we've been away. A lot has changed here in South Africa in that time, some of it very good, some definitely not so good, but there is still a lot of love for the country and a wonderful life to be had albeit with a little more caution attached. Our non-stop chats gave us a good insight into life here and each day, each conversation helped to put us in the current picture.
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| Hazel and I sharing memories |
Finally 2017 rolled in without much of a bang from our side. After the usual day of fresh air, a hearty meal and a few celebratory libations, our beds beckoned. Llet us take this opportunity to wish you all, cruisers and landlubbers alike, a very happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2017. To the entire Norris family, a million thanks for such a wonderful time.
PHOTO GALLERY:
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| Richard and daughter, Kate |
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| Storm brewing |
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| Sundowners on the beach |
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| The Boyz and friend |
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| Brent and kite |
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| Jamie, Adam and Carli visit Calypso |
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Christmas was a real treat this year. We spent it with long-time friends down at their summer home south of Durban. For us, this was the first occasion in many a year that Christmas included a houseful of children. Our friends, Richard and Hazel, have managed to produce five grandchildren in our absence, all 12 years old and younger, 4 boys and one girl. I think they thought we'd be horrified at the prospect of all the noise (and there was plenty of that!) but far from it. It took us back to previous Christmas holidays when our daughter and her cousins were very young and we watched the excitement a visit from Santa Claus would bring.
On the subject of catering, I have NEVER eaten so much, so often and so well for as long as I can remember. I KNOW I've gained a couple of kilos! I don't think the constant supply of wine, champers and liqueurs helped either, but you didn't hear anyone complaining, not seriously anyway.
One interesting phenomena we came across was swarms of swallows. We went off to Marina Beach to visit other friends as they had told us of the thousands upon thousands of swallows that settle down to nest in the reeds each and every night, and they weren't exaggerating. Just as dusk was approaching, massive swarms appeared in the sky then starting swooping down past us to find their homes for the night in the grassy reeds. The photo cannot possibly do it justice - it was quite a sight to see.
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