Chris and myself are Godparents to three wonderful children - weighing in at 3,71 Kg and 53cm at birth - meet Morgan, the third and latest addition to our Godchildren. She turns all of one years old on 27 November 2015.
 
The last time I saw my 'adopted' sister, Margot, was last year when she came to Johannesburg on a training course for work - she's the admin manager of a clothing store in Bloemfontein and was barely a month or 3 pregnant when I last saw her. 

Knowing Morgan was turning one this month was part of my reasoning for travelling up to visit - I just had to meet her. What a precious little girl she is - she truly is her mommy's girl.

Even though Chris and myself will not see you as often as we do our other two Godchildren, you will always be close in our hearts and you are loved.

Happy Birthday my darling little Morgan, we can't wait to watch you grow up!

Until next time, 

​Rev  

As my week long road trip is starting to draw to a close, thought I'd put some of my thoughts down on the events that have taken place in the last few days. 

Firstly, my heart goes out to all those innocent souls who were mercilessly mowed down at their respective venues in Paris - whilst enjoying dinner or a concert - none of those people deserved to die so, so tragically. 

This had me thinking about what's happening in South Africa - yes, we have load shedding and water issues and mismanagement of state owned entities - but is it not better the devil we know, than the devil we don't know? That goes to all of our friends and family who have given up on our beautiful country for greener pastures - which is totally your own decision and you are all fully supported - but what irks me is this preconception that all is better on the First World side of things - when indeed the wheels are obviously starting to shake and wobble a bit. All I ask is that we don't have it shoved in our face that South Africa is a bad place, when it is plain to see that each and every country is battling it's own war; war on terrorism, war on inequalities, war on tyrannical leaders, war amongst each other - just because a country has public transport that runs efficiently, as a random example, doesn't make it the bees knees. 

Saying that, I really wonder why France - not that I particularly would ever want to visit that country - is being targeted? Is it just a decoy to throw authorities off the real target? My conspiracy theorist mind at play? I don't know but what happened in Paris could happen anywhere. I sincerely hope that all the heads of the world's various states are putting plans in place to step up security at all public venues, this includes softer targets, like schools where security is minimal - at best.

Again, France you're in my thoughts. 

Back to my trip - I usually don't travel without Chris but as he has been very busy with work - I needed to go this one alone. A whole week without him and the hounds. The longest we've ever been apart is when he left on a trip to Munich a few years back for 10 or 11 days. Bless him, he has been a trooper looking after the company and the house, not forgetting the hounds. Thank You, Chris. I miss you muchly!  

Speaking of being a trooper, I bravely set out from Durban to Bloemfontein without filling up completely (Note: I did check my tyres though!) See photo above for my petrol gauge as I drove into Bloemfontein. Shew! That was a close call! Maya (as in Maya the Bee - I drive a B Class - see where her name comes from? Maya the Bee, Maya the B Class?!). I started to stress 20Km outside of Bloemfontein but all for nothing. My little car bravely got us there.   

Chris has the Discovery Insure tracker attached to our cars - it monitors speed travelled, handling, braking, acceleration and phone motion - the better one drives, the more points are earned and knowing that your driving is being monitored - one is inclined to drive with more attention to detail such as following speed limits, avoiding harsh acceleration and the dreaded phone motion - luckily having bluetooth, handsfree in my car, I always score 100 / 100 for that but what intrigued me was that Chris was able to locate my car right to the street that I was parked on in Bloemfontein - I was visiting my Goddaughter, Morgan (more about her in an upcoming post) for the first time - she turns a whole 1 years old month-end). I was very impressed with that feature, not that he was checking up on me mind you but that should - heaven forbid - someone steal my adorable 'mom's taxi' I could potentially be able to locate it with minimal trouble. or if I get stuck someplace or have an accident and am unable to make contact via a phone, Chris will always be able to find me. Which is very comforting to know.

Plus, as it records all my trips, I have travelled 1287,5Km so far since Thursday last week. 

I'm now in Johannesburg, finishing up some business related tasks - I highly recommend staying at the Sandton City Lodge, just off Rivonia Road - brilliant service, food to die for and so, so, so centrally located. I even managed a 45min jog on the treadmill in the fitness room yesterday and this morning!

I have also been on the hunt for a decent tea pot and as I had to stop in Melville on business, I took a stroll down 7th Street and walked into a charity store (knowing that part of the proceeds go to charity also warms my heart) I found this gorgeous, vintage Pyrex 6 cup tea pot - I snapped it up! - I don't know it's age or the history of it but I have never seen one before. 

Looking forward to having my hair cut later today by Sandy, at Franco International Cresta - She's an awesome stylist - if you're on the look out for a new hairdresser in Johannesburg, go see her - tell her Rev recommended her. 

Looking forward to seeing Chris and the hounds tomorrow - missing my not-so-little family terribly. 

Until next time, 

​Rev