The world is our oyster

Oh my gawd!  I just submitted my Expression of Interest and, if selected, will submit application for permanent residency for NZ.

It has been another rollercoaster to get here. I tell ya, things are not as straightforward as it may seem, lol.

So, I thought everything I needed had fallen into place, but my emotions and mind took me on another spiralling ride to, I don't know where, before throwing me down in a mangled blubbering heap.

Cape Town's South Easter

Haha...I remember those days so well...the South Easterly winds in Cape Town.

The building I worked in used to sway quite alarmingly.

It's also called the Cape Doctor as it would blow away any smog.

Views from Boyes Drive, Cape Town, South Africa

 

Boyes Drive is a scenic road that climbs the lower slopes of Muizenberg Mountain, providing an elevated route above the shoreline of False Bay that offers panoramic views over Muizenberg beach and the Cape Flats. On a clear day, views include great vistas over False Bay with the Hottentot's Holland Mountain range in the distance.  

This coastal road always reminds me of the Med with its windswept pines.

Painful manifestation of my emotions

I felt out of sorts on the flight out to Cape Town. Nothing I could put my finger on, but assumed it was just part of the excitement about seeing everyone.

I didn't feel much like eating, so didn't, cos as you probably know, airline food is nothing to get excited about.

Gorgeous mountainous beauty

After spending Sunday with my in-laws, my mum and I drove up to Swellendam where she and my stepdad live.

Back home - happy and very relaxed

Mom's holiday shack

I flew back into Heathrow from Cape Town this morning after ten days in the Western Cape, South Africa, my darling hubby collecting me at some ungodly hour.

I am happy to be back in my own home, but sad at leaving family behind.

A decisive decision

I woke up Friday morning with a firm conviction that I need to fly out to South Africa. No more dithering, sitting around waiting and feeling a bit like an indecisive wet rag.

Warriors

As you might or might not know, war has been a part of my life for a while. Living in South Africa and Namibia as a youngster, we were in a ‘state of war’, surrounded by soldiers. This perception was fed by the propaganda of the South African government.  All young men were conscripted as soon as they left school at the tender age of 17 (or given dispensation to study for a degree and then conscripted once they’d finished). So every South African male was a warrior, whether in the army, navy or air force.

Holiday in South Africa

We have returned to Cape Town on holiday three times since we emigrated to the UK - Christmas 1998, Christmas 1999 and the last time in December 2005.

Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Boulders Beach - "There are few places in the world where you can get this close to a breeding colony of penguins, swim close to them in the sea and enjoy their private sandy beach."

Aquila Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Aquila Private Game Reserve

When we returned to South Africa on holiday to visit family and friends during 2005, we spent time at this reserve.