An unusual Sunday…because Nick wasn’t preaching at all today, he and Harry decided it would be a good idea to have a braai at Sandy Bay. Jenny and I weren’t so sure, considering the logistics…you can’t drive all the way down to the beach anymore, so anything has to be carried a good 700m or so from the cars to the braai area. They were insistent though, so plans were made. We met up with them at the Sandy Bay Chapel at 10.30, passing some of our parishioners on the way who had just come from church where Vincent preached. Then we drove as far as we could, reaching a section of the dirt road which was just thick mud covered in water. There was some debate as to whether we could take the cars over the flooded section of the road. Nick was all for trying, but the rest of us ma
naged to dissuade him. So we had to unpack the cars and take up our burdens for the trek through the mountains. We had braai grills, charcoal, salads, meat, cooldrinks, snacks, toys, one camping chair, picnic blanket, towels, fishing rod, bait box, cutlery, plates, and more…lots to carry! Nick and Harry got the braai going as soon as we got there, once enough firewood had been gathered – the boys were helpful with this. Jenny and I explored the beach on our own, and Peter was coming and going, mostly with the boys. The weather, by the way, was not really outdoor, braai weather…it was overcast and windy and slightly on the chilly side because of the wind. We all dressed warmly though, even hats, and so we were okay. The boys had a great time playing and exploring on their own, and also managed a few games of ‘go fish’ with Uncle Peter. We were on a long stretch of stony/sandy ground, which led to a stream flowing into the sea. If you followed the water upstream, inland, you would go under a bridge, and once through the bridge (treading carefully so as not to fall into the stream), you would be in a huge area with a gravel road leading up a hillock, at the top of which was a lone canon. Peter and the boys scaled the 
stony hillock to the top, while Jennifer and I decided that we’d walked enough, so sat chatting on the side of the road. Caleb is like a mountain goat – very confident, but very capable too and quite responsible. He got a bit carried away though, and tripped and fell once, skinning his knee. He was okay though. Lunch was finally ready at about 1 o’clock, and our appetites were good. Sitting out in the open air, smelling the good smells and waiting for the food really makes the stomach ‘lus’ for it. The t-bones that Jenny provided were so tender and juicy, and I had done chicken kebabs. I also did a potato salad, and Jenny had made savoury rice. It was goooood food. 
After lunch Jenny and I washed the plates and cutlery and empty dishes in the little stream – I commented to her that I felt like I was on a ‘survivor’ show, although we had the luxury of long-drop toilets at our disposal. We were in the middle of a game of Boulles when Herr Doktor arrived on his motorcycle – he was really just taking his newly-acquired bike for a ride, and figured that Sandy Bay would be a good place to go. I feel sorry for him in that his wife and daughter are in Germany (they holidayed here briefly over Easter-time), 
and so he is alone. I asked if he’d had lunch, and he looked sheepish and said he was about to go home and get lunch, so we invited him to stay, since there was still plenty left over. He was very happy to join in our little party, and it was good that he didn’t have to go home to an empty house and miss a good old South African braai! By the time he left at 3 pm, we were feeling like we were ready to go too, so quickly packed up and reversed the journey; there was quite a long uphill section this time that hadn’t been there before! The boys fell asleep in the car on the way home.
naged to dissuade him. So we had to unpack the cars and take up our burdens for the trek through the mountains. We had braai grills, charcoal, salads, meat, cooldrinks, snacks, toys, one camping chair, picnic blanket, towels, fishing rod, bait box, cutlery, plates, and more…lots to carry! Nick and Harry got the braai going as soon as we got there, once enough firewood had been gathered – the boys were helpful with this. Jenny and I explored the beach on our own, and Peter was coming and going, mostly with the boys. The weather, by the way, was not really outdoor, braai weather…it was overcast and windy and slightly on the chilly side because of the wind. We all dressed warmly though, even hats, and so we were okay. The boys had a great time playing and exploring on their own, and also managed a few games of ‘go fish’ with Uncle Peter. We were on a long stretch of stony/sandy ground, which led to a stream flowing into the sea. If you followed the water upstream, inland, you would go under a bridge, and once through the bridge (treading carefully so as not to fall into the stream), you would be in a huge area with a gravel road leading up a hillock, at the top of which was a lone canon. Peter and the boys scaled the 
stony hillock to the top, while Jennifer and I decided that we’d walked enough, so sat chatting on the side of the road. Caleb is like a mountain goat – very confident, but very capable too and quite responsible. He got a bit carried away though, and tripped and fell once, skinning his knee. He was okay though. Lunch was finally ready at about 1 o’clock, and our appetites were good. Sitting out in the open air, smelling the good smells and waiting for the food really makes the stomach ‘lus’ for it. The t-bones that Jenny provided were so tender and juicy, and I had done chicken kebabs. I also did a potato salad, and Jenny had made savoury rice. It was goooood food. 
After lunch Jenny and I washed the plates and cutlery and empty dishes in the little stream – I commented to her that I felt like I was on a ‘survivor’ show, although we had the luxury of long-drop toilets at our disposal. We were in the middle of a game of Boulles when Herr Doktor arrived on his motorcycle – he was really just taking his newly-acquired bike for a ride, and figured that Sandy Bay would be a good place to go. I feel sorry for him in that his wife and daughter are in Germany (they holidayed here briefly over Easter-time), 
and so he is alone. I asked if he’d had lunch, and he looked sheepish and said he was about to go home and get lunch, so we invited him to stay, since there was still plenty left over. He was very happy to join in our little party, and it was good that he didn’t have to go home to an empty house and miss a good old South African braai! By the time he left at 3 pm, we were feeling like we were ready to go too, so quickly packed up and reversed the journey; there was quite a long uphill section this time that hadn’t been there before! The boys fell asleep in the car on the way home. 
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