From the shortest day to the longest day in two days

Looking out from the balcony of our Christmas & New Year housesit

We had a lovely, if short, visit to Charles, Caroline and Lucy. Lots of chat before we made an early getaway to avoid what we expected would be horrible traffic. Actually it was fine, but that was probably because we were early.

More packing faff on Saturday, splitting our clothes, just in case, secreting money in various places about our clothes and bags, dithering about what we’ve got, what we need, what would be nice. I hate packing, it expands to fill all the time available but you never think you’ve got it right! Anyway, we’ve got what we’ve got, and I’m sure it’ll be fine.

We had a 2.5 hour wait in Istanbul. What else were we going to do?

Sunday, finally off to the airport for our next big adventure, a whole new Continent! Flying with Turkish Air we had to change at Istanbul, which felt a long way out of our way, looking at their inflight map, it actually wasn’t as bad as we thought. Both flights were very good and we did manage to get some sleep on the second one. 

Monday still felt like a long day though, landed at 11.30 (09.30 UK time) collected our luggage. (Isn’t it horrible when one bag comes through really quickly and one takes forever?) Straight through security, stamped in for three months, local SIM card for a spare phone and off to queue for the hire car. We rejected the first car as the cigarette lighter socket didn’t work, not that we’ve taken up smoking, but we did buy a sat nav with South Africa on which isn’t much use if you can’t charge it! 

The swimming pool at Totos B&B. Sadly we didn't have time to try it

Having waited 20 minutes for that one they did manage to find us a replacement quite quickly and finally we were off. The driving lived up to its reputation. Where was the car reversing on the hard shoulder of the motorway going? Minibuses seem to just stop, wherever they want to, and there are some very beat up vehicles out there. The B&B was fine, though not as plush as it had looked on the web, though absolutely nothing wrong with it, and a lovely welcome from the hostess.

Don’t stop, don’t sit down, off to the supermarket, along with the crowds. Woolworths had been recommended, like M&S though sadly with M&S prices. We bought

Our first night stop, Totos B&B

breakfast stuff and a chicken and vegetables and a couple of bottles of wine, we won’t starve but it was all I could cope with. Straight up the hill to meet Cat, her parents and Willow cat our charge. One and two were successful but meeting Willow wasn’t. When we took on the Housesit Willow was a house cat, since then she has broken out, and is loving her outside life.

Back to the B&B via a chain seafood restaurant for a quick but yummy meal, for an early night.

Back to Cat by 09.00, a quick drive around to the local supermarkets, before the family left to Drive to the Pilanesburg nature reserve where they are spending Christmas. Back to the Spar supermarket to buy the bits we hadn’t got yesterday, bacon for the chicken, gin and tonic, crisps and cake. All the important things.... 

Our first South African wildlife sighting. No idea what it is

Willow was in when we arrived back, she didn’t run off but she didn’t want to be touched, and didn’t hang around for long enough to shut the window to keep her in for a few hours. Oh well, I’m sure she’ll be back. In the meantime we are loving the balcony and the view and just chilling.

We hope everyone has a lovely Christmas, I’m sure we will xx.

A panorama of the view from our housesit balcony. Johannesburg is down on the right, mostly obscured by the hill. There are safe walking paths up on that hill that give splendid views of the city apparently, we must try them out.   

Our first photo of Willow cat, just entering the garden in the bottom of the photo. She's certainly got a large playground, she appeared from someway off behind the fence

But she doesn't know who these strange people are in her house! Stop press: she's just walked in through the window and Jackies gone to try to win her round. I'm sure it won't take her long. More on that in the next blog....