Rocky Horror, Scottish Independence and excersise...

'Fun Seekers Johannesburg' has been our best discovery to date. There are 2,470 members and 120 organised events in the coming few months. Yesterday we went on a walking tour of Kensington, one of the old suburbs, with about 30 others, and last weekend it was a 9k hike with a similar size group with lunch after.

What a great way to meet people and to stretch your legs safely. If we hadn't found this group we'd have had to invent it. A walk in the countryside here just isn't safe for two, or even four. In England, it might seem crazy going for a walk with 50 others, but here it's a bloody good idea and one of the only ways you'll ever meet new people.

I miss the '6 Nations', what a game yesterday between England and Ireland. Now with the top 4 all on 4 points, we can look forward to the final two games without a clue who will top the table.

In two weeks time we have…

Ireland    v  Italy

Scotland v  France

England  v  Wales

A sure win for Ireland and France, but will the Welsh topple the English?

A week later…

Italy    v England

Wales v Scotland

France v Ireland

Wins for England and Wales you would think, but if the Irish can win in Paris, the title is theirs! I think this will go the the very last game.

Went to see the Rocky Horror show for the very first time a couple of weeks ago, not really knowing what to expect. On our left sat a lovely couple, Oliver and Chantel, and on our right, a couple who didn't want to be there. Well I was blown away by the whole thing and to cap it all, the star of the show came out front to meet the audience on the way out. Frank N Furter, thank you! This is a must before you die, and if you die during it, believe me the show will go on!

For the past 3 weeks I've been editing my film on Final Cut Pro, which has to be handed in before 24th May so that I can graduate in July. Imagine watching a film once, and then having to watch every frame, backwards and forwards dozens of times, using video and audio filters, chopping bits,

adding effects, an endless list of manoeuvrings until you get 'your final baby', that you are proud of, but hate! Almost complete, I've submitted a copy to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, who have suggested minor changes, but overall are delighted to commend it. Another 2 weeks now should see the paperwork complete, then I'll sit back and wonder what I used to do before I started that!

Things have really picked up on the business side down here, after meetings last week. All I can say is, it involves a royal family, a company based in Switzerland and a member of the ANC. In South Africa, you have to be prepared to change horses by the hour and don't ever think you know what's coming the other way. My Dad once said, "When your life becomes predictable, change it". Well he actually said, "end it", but I'm a little more optimistic than he was. Thanks Dad, nothing predictable going on here!

Speaking as an Irish Republican :-) The English continue to do an amazing media job, guaranteeing they will never have to share Scotland's oil reserves with the Scottish. While people in Ukraine look to have finally grasped control of their own destiny, the Scottish poodle continues to cry for bones at the backdoor of Downing Street. Sad to see the people singing their hearts out at Murrayfield…"Oh flower of Scotland, when will we see yer likes again…" The answer of course being, 'Never!' Until you're brave enough, "To be a nation again" you'll remain like Essex, a county of England.

How long is looooooooooong??

We went to the post office today, it's always an experience but a classic example of how, 'nothing is ever rushed in Africa!' There's a poster at the counter saying, 'How did we do today?' You wouldn't dare tell them! Another poster gives you a detailed list on how to complain if the service doesn't meet your expectations; but of course, it always meets your expectations!

There's about 12 service points but never more than 3 opened. The queue is usually out the door, but you can be lucky as we were today. We just wanted to post a birthday card to James, Beverley's eldest son. I explained at the counter that I wanted to post this letter, first class airmail to England. The teller explained that there was a postal strike on, so not to bother posting it. I told him that it wouldn't arrive in time anyway, so we wouldn't mind if it was delayed. He said it would be a loooong strike. I'd heard this before. When African's say 'long', it is a relatively short time compared to 'loooong', and if it's 'loooooooooooong', then that's very, very long. I said we'd post it anyway and at least it would get there one day! He laughed and said, "No, it will never get there, you are wasting your money" and refused to take the letter, nodding to the next person to step forward. As I left, the South African guy who I'd been talking to earlier in the queue explained in more detail. 

Apparently at the end of a loooooooong postal strike, they simply incinerate the backlog as it would take too long to catch up!! I'd hate to think the hospitals might strike one day!