4^th June 2017

On the 24^th May we went through to Benoni to see Grandpa & Annette.

We found them to be upbeat and quite well. They both have problems that people of that age generally battle with, but they muddle through. They were well enough for us to take them out for lunch, which I think they enjoyed very much.

On the 27^th May, we attended the wedding of Juan and Thalia (now Steenkamp) at B’Sorah. We witnessed their covenant to each other before God and in the presence of many friends. It was a blessed time.

On the 30^th May we took our leave from San Cha Len Resort in Warmbaths and headed towards Scottburgh. San Cha Len is the best caravan park we have had the privilege of staying at. The management and staff were really conscientious and friendly, the facilities excellent, the ablutions spotless and security first class. We also enjoyed “long stay” and pensioners discounts so it was very good value for money.

The trip to our first overnight venue at Montrose suffered a setback when we got caught in a traffic jam (caused by an accident) on the highway through Pretoria. After an hour of stop-start, bumper to bumper traffic we started to move again, only to experience the same scenario while passing Johannesburg. The second holdup was not as severe as the first. After that it was easy going to Montrose (The Shell Ultra City at Swinburne).

A dear friend who owns the place had provided secure parking for the car and caravan, and booked us into the premier suite of the Protea Hotel for dinner bed and breakfast. Are we blessed or what??

The next morning we proceeded to “the Windmills” at Nottingham Road where we met with Gill Dyer (the lady who had blessed us with the stay-over at Montrose). We enjoyed breakfast with her. She is a real joy and shines with the joy of the Lord.

While we were having breakfast, a guy came over to speak to Gill. He told her that he had just come from Durban and that there was chaos because the taxis had blockaded the highway from Pinetown to Prospecton in protest about something. With this knowledge, we were able to bypass all the trouble by using the road via Umbumbulu which turned out to be challenging but ok. Without that information, we could have been caught in the middle of that demonstration for the whole day. Are we blessed or what??

On arrival at Scottburgh Caravan Park, we found it to be about 98% full. Compared to the camp we had just come from it is cramped and quite shoddy. The attraction is what it always has been, the proximity to the beach & the beauty of the sea.

Our site (which we chose on a map from the few that were available) is not a good one. It was difficult to access and equally difficult to get the van levelled. There is a bank between us and the sea (which I thought might protect us from the wind) and we look straight into the ablution block on the other side.

The weather has been perfect since we arrived with the days being hot and the nights cool. There has been no wind to speak of.

This morning we went to church. While we were away, the wind came up and we returned to find that the neighbours all around us had worked very hard to stop our tent from blowing away. What chaos!

I was able to get it all tied down a bit better. I have never been good at anything to do with a rope. I see that I am not much better with a tent peg. They seem to come out as quickly as I put them in. This is a skill I will have to learn in a hurry.

The tent doesn’t look pretty now but I think it is secure.

Until we write again, may you all be blessed. Lots of love,

Tom & Lynette.