Creatures!

Well I said that I'd submit you all to the critter pics from South Africa, so here are the highlights!
Next will be the wedding pics, be scared, very scared....

Heart Jumping!

Funniest thing... opened the door last night to let Miss Yo Yo do her in and out thing and she wouldn't go out. Sat at the door peering out, which I thought was rather weird. So went to investigate and I hear this heavy breathing, oh oh I thought. There's someone either next door doing something they shouldn't, or there's a fox sniffing round or even one of the legendary type big cats waiting to bushwack Miss Yo Yo when she heads out.
So I did the brave thing and investigated. Cautiously stepping out, heart beating hard and fast, trying not to freak myself out, peering into the dark and guess what I saw?!
There were two hedgehogs in the garden snuffling round for slugs, snails etc etc and it was them making this loud heaving breathing!
I had a right giggle to myself at that, though Miss Yo Yo didn't seem to see the funny side!

Things that Make you Giggle!

Went to my first Ab Attack class at the gym today. Eleven ladies and the trainer, not a man in sight! All of the ladies were shorter than I, except the trainer, so guess who had to have a different ball to all the others!?! First time I've met that many ladies all at once shorter than me! Set me giggling every time I thought about it the rest of the day.
Have to say that it was a great class, though I know that my stomach muscles are going to be rather sore tomorrow. Though after a month of no exercise except walking that's not surprising!
The Xpress Spin class I did yesterday had pretty much the same effect on my legs today! Xpress Spin is definitely the right title for it. 25 mins of fast peddling, standing on peddles, up and down and peddling even faster, sweating buckets and drinking a whole bottle of water!
Knackering whislt doing though such a buzz when done! Though looking redder than a beetroot afters is not the best look in the office!!

Get ready to be bored!

Just a few selections of the five film's worth of photos that I took on my visit to South Africa...
I've tried to be kind...
The adorable, and not so adorable animal shots will come soon...

Plus & Minus...

... in regards to still having a camera which one has to buy film, put it in, take photos, use up the film, take to a processor when film finished, pay a reasonable amount for prints (and of course a CD with the images on so you don't have to bother about scanning them in), get them out the packet and then either go yay, groan or even cry when you see the results!
Am getting pressure to go digital... only trouble is that I know I will never get the shots printed out, will end up deleting the memory stick (which did happen to Mr S (a different Mr S for those wondering) on holiday - had all their photos on it and no back up) and then just have my dodgey memory to go on!
I do so enjoy getting the developed photos back though... pleasantly surprised this time with the first batch as there were some shots from Longleat Safari Park, autumn at Winkworth Aboretum and winter snow in the garden. Which I have kindly put up to bore you with!

Woah!

Big change in the working role...
Our CEO's EPA left abruptly and guess who's going to be looking after him? Yup, me! As well as two more Directors!
Going to be one little energiser bunny from now on... well at least I won't have any slack time at work. Going to have to check emails etc from home now!
Not sure whether it's a good thing or not...
Bring it on!

Catch-Up

Well thought it was about time I let you know the goings on before folks thought aliens had finally beamed me up!
Have just spent an amazing two weeks in South Africa - what a country of contrasts. From the one room shacks made from just about anything to the million rand houses with electrified fences and maids! Though as a third world country of course I should have expected this.
Started off in Cape Town, doing the touristy Table Mountain, Stellenbosh, V&A Waterfront, Robben Island etc etc etc. Gorgeous scenery, great people and wonderful food - even managed to have an ostrich burger!
A huge thank you to Miss M who looked after us so well, so great to have a familar face in a foreign land, as well as Daisy and Queenie. Still finding some of their fur here and there!
It was then off on the Garden Route (mostly along the coast with beautiful coastal scenery), and including some of Route 62 (the longest wine route in the world). Visited the Cango Caves, a picturesque bungy bridge, and more scenerey! Stayed in Mossel Bay, Knysna (went round the lagoon in a paddle steamer), Jeffrey's Bay (saw dolphins) and then headed up to Zebula, a five star country club & spar that also happens to be in 1400 hectare reserve!
Went on a gamedrive and managed to see an elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, various types of antelope, warthogs and many different types of birds! They also had cheetahs (what beautiful cats they are), tiger cubs (I was able to scritch one of their chins and rubs it's ears), and lion cubs (one of which decided to bite me and scratch me when I was patting it - guess that means I can say I've been mauled by a lion?!).
Of course the reason we were all there was the marrige of Miss M and Mr S... a lovely ceremony on the golf course under two trees, with own vows and several tears. Then it was off to champagne by a waterhole (must have looked well funny with all these ladies in cocktail dresses and three inch heels clambering up on trucks) to have photos taken and some more game watching, Kudu this time. The comment made that they were as good to eat as look at! We then headed off to a delicious buffet dinner, where I tried crocodile, some emotional speeches were said and lots of happy chatting and drinking with people I didn't know, and some I did!
Then is was back to the UK.... ah well, such is life!

Here's a few sites that may or may not be of interest:
http://www.robben-island.org.za/
http://www.cangocaves.co.za/
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma/
http://www.mabalingwecountryclub.co.za/gamereserve.html
http://www.gardenroute.co.za/
http://www.route62.co.za/