Spotted - is this "a sign"? YES!

For you Dad and Mom H... the Cape is calling...

Normal Temps Indoors - this has not been staged

Now that we're into early winter here, I thought you should have an idea of what that means for us...and who doesn't love talking about the weather and comparing temps?! Here's a sample of what Jim and I look like to keep warm in our apartment (no, there's no such thing as indoor heating here):

And here's Jim's alarm clock, registering the temp inside. My new favorite daily habit is looking at it about six times a day and exclaiming, "I can't believe how cold it is in here!" These days it ranges from 59-62 degrees Fahrenheit inside, even while the temps outside are still in the 50s, though rainy and windy.

Jim and Jan Griffin, trying to stay warm (taken when we were together at Goudini Spa).

THUS, the necessary purchase: a new halogen heater for our flat. It was an exciting moment, as you can see documented below. (Unfortunately it only heats the immediate surrounding area and doesn't do much to affec the overall temp in the flat.) But it is comforting and much appreciated!! So, the summary is this - please pray that we stay healthy this winter! Oh, and don't you want to come visit?

Goudini Spa with the Griffin family

We're going to see the Griffins, the Griffins, the Griffins...
(they live about 1 hr 20 min away to the northeast, and below is a shot of the mountains that we drive through to get there. Beautiful! As long as we don't run over any baboons in the road along the way.)

This was a special visit with the Griffins (working with YWAM, and Wheaton grads from the late 80s), as we got to spend an overnight with them at nearby "Goudini Spa". It's a family resort centered around warm mineral springs, and YWAMers have a special relationship with the owner (i.e. get a discount!). Here are Greg and Heidi braaing ('braai' = grill or barbeque) a humongous steak for our dinner.

Of course, the tramp was a highlight!! (Jul displayed serious skill from her Brogden Middle School PE days. Yeah right. Jim and I were both really sore the next day. Are we that old already?)

Above, the Griffin kids in the warmest, natural pool (38 degrees Celcius = 100 degrees Fahrenheit): Natalie, age 13; Heidi, age 11; Matt, age 15. We had a great time together!! We girls even got in a few rounds of 9-hole golf, with Heidi the victor.

In the morning, Jim and I and Matt hiked up the hill behind the resort, to get a view of the valley. In the foreground of the photo you can see the 'rondavels' that we stayed in, and in the distance are wine farms and more mountains. Thanks, Griffins - we had a blast!!

On Rachel's Birthday, I made these

Thanks, Mom, for the inspiration! The naan (and the curry we ate with it) was delicious - I was pretty proud of myself. (And happy B to Rach on 9 Jun)

Walk to Work

We are fortunate to be within walking distance of the UCT campus, and since we both work in that area (Jim in ‘upper campus’ in the Center for Open Learning, and Jul next to ‘middle campus’ at 2 Way Travel), we are privileged – as we see it! – to enjoy the 15-20 walking commute.

Here are a couple of photos from some sights along the way: our street (Alma Road) and what we see when we step out our front gate and head out in the morning:

the new “Alma Café” down the road...

our neighborhood metro train stop – we go through the tunnel under the tracks and continue up the hill to campus...

at Lower Campus, Jim gets on the campus shuttle and rides up the hill to his office (saves about 15 min of walking). Jul keeps walking though, up to the 2 Way Travel Office on Middle Campus...