FINAL COUNT DOWN

ME ,MY HAPPY SELF...............


OUR RICHARD BAY HOUSE ENTRANCE


THE POOL AREA

Many happy years were spent here and very good memories.........But it is sold. My memories will go with me and stay forever in my hart..
I am so happy as our house has been sold......................... There was absolute no prospect of this happening and on Saturday an estate agent who I had never met or contacted to sell the house sold the house within 1 hour form first contact.....

This is just wonderful and the final countdown now begin. The people who have bought the house are absolute crazy about it and very very excited. I am sure they will be very happy here.

I have 10 days left in Richards Bay. the removal company is starting with the pack and load on Monday....................It will take 4 days for them to pack up and load the house contents. I cannot do any packing (I am not too broken up about that...) as all the furniture is going to a storage facility and for the insurance purposes they have to do all the packing themselves...... The only thing I have to do is supervise and do the control and checking of contents.....

I cannot believe it has come so quickly. When I left Dubai I said at best I would like to be back in Dubai by Mid March permanently and all thing here sorted out.

There was absolutely no prospect for it to materialise. In fact just last week I said to Hannes that we might have to think of me now only returning to Dubai at end April.....

Well it has happened exactly like I asked. In fact I will be in Dubai by about 15 March give or take a few days.

My plan is to pack up and take a few days in Umdloti to make sure all with our flat is in order. I also have a lot of friends in Durban to say goodbye to. That will take about 4 days. Then I want to go to PE for 2 days to see Dian (my youngest son) and see that he is well and settled in University and in his flat. From there I plan to go to my friend Aloma who I have not seen in 3 years to say my goodbye. From there I fly to Johannesburg to spend 2 days with Rossouw (my middle son) and do the motherly checks and balances and then 2 days with JC (my eldest) and then I fly out to Dubai...........................

My days are crazy with all the sorting of the nitty gritty stuff but hey I am not complaining. It is now a pleasure to do all the jobbies I dreaded last week. My home staff have been given their same jobs by the new owners so I do not have to worry about them not finding another job. They were very relieved when I broke the news to them today. Shame they also have their worries about money and the hart breaking thing is that they know how difficult it is to find a job in normal circumstances and now with the economical crunch it will be even harder or in fact impossible.

On Friday I heard a very nice song on the radio. It is form Josh Groban and the song is You are loved. I then got it in my head to download songs from the Internet (like my kids) and keep my own personal taste music on my Laptop to listen at any time. OK so here the fun starts. I have absolutely no idea how to do it. So I phone Rossouw and ask How Now.... He tels me a few stuff I understand and a hellava lot of foreign stuff. I try to get it going but get stuck......... So next on my list is Dian and he very patiently is on the other end of the phone and tells me step by step how to....... I try it but does not work so lekker.... So I start to fiddle and play and after hours I get it right... It takes time to download the songs and transfer them to your own music library on the PC but I can do it now and have a short play list at the moment. So I am very proud of myself for achieving this and enjoy the music in the background while I am at the computer..... I am just so stupid with who the artist is and what the songs name is that I will have to keep a pen and paper with me at all time write it down and then later to come and search the song and download it. I am determined to have a very nice and BIG library of my type of music. As I explained in an earlier blog I live my thoughts and emotions in music and song.

I challenge all of you to and listen to "You are Loved' by Josh Groban. The words are magic and his voice is mesmerising..........It gave me all I needed on Friday and described my wants and feelings exactly.....

Just to let all of you know Promise lives and was cured the very next day with a smile on her face................................

Now today I made such a fool of myself..........I actually just burst out laughing. Worst of all is I set myself up for this....

As I do not have a vehicle I am making plans for when I have to go to Durban next week. So I phone the rental companies for a car and prices and such. I get the quotes and in chatting to the one girl at the rental company I made a joke and said gees I wonder if it won't be easier to fly to Durban.

She said oh yes there are charter companies who will take you with a fixed wing or a chopper. She also gave me a price of about R900.00 (she thinks but not sure)

She also gives me the numbers to phone. Well I think no harm in finding out....Well here the fun starts.

The fixed wing is not an option as I have to go with a trainee pilot from the flight school who needs flying hours. In the plane will be Trainee Pilot, instructor and myself. Now I have done flying flying lessons myself many moons ago....and know exactly what this plane looks like inside, and I will be lucky if I get some space to sit. It is a 2 seater with a "bucket" area in the back. I shelve that number very quickly. It will also be weather dependant........ So it will be and "Inshallah" flight

I did not ask the price.

Next one the chopper. The gentleman handling my call is very sweet and starts talking in flying hours. The conversation goes like this: OK so X minutes there will all precheck and stuff and then he has X minutes back so that adds X hours. Now this he does in talking mode to me. I am sort of bored with this and just want him to get on with the price (I mean I have a rough idea of what it is going to cost..........who gives a damm about the maths.) he then drops the price to me in a calm collected voice. Holy Cow R5500.00 rand. I could not help myself I just burst out laughing on the phone and said to him are you freaking nuts......for that I can fly to Dubai and have drinks and snacks and movies all the way.... . He still very polite says no problem if you change your mind just give me call again.....

What was I thinking to try and fly to Durban by chopper. I really think at times I am very nuts. Slightly does not even come into the frame............

Hannes is off for 3 days and is going to Muscat in Oman to visit friends for 2 days. Glad he is getting out and not just sitting at home. he is over the moon with house sale as well and with the prospect of me joining him in Dubai in about 4 weeks permanently. It will also be very good for me to get there as I do not sleep at night as I am too scared........... This house is big and with our crime rate stats and maybe it is known that I am alone here, I just cannot fall sleep.And all the alarms are set. So I fall asleep at about 05h30 when it gets light and wake when the staff arrive at 07h00 (maybe that is why I do these crazy things..........)
Sound very crazy to look forward to Dubai to have a good sleep....................OK also Hannes and Starbuck's and krispy Kreme doughnuts......

OK now I am blabbering.....

Enough

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE ! ? ! ?

HANNES AND MYSELF

Just for the record I miss him so much..................... This photo was taken on our last holiday to my most special place........................MAURITIUS. This was before we even knew about this relocation and Dubai.
The whole Dubai number happened shortly after this holiday. Even now looking back I am still pleased with the Dubai move although it is tough at times, and tough on both of us in different aspects. Common ground is both of us are alone and hate it...... but it is in the last straight now.


RITA (ON THE LEFT) AND PROMISE ON THE RIGHT

These are my 2 house keepers. Rita does the house work and promise is the gardener. I had such a giggle today and I will miss that so much. Promise speaks only Zulu. How on earth we understand and communicate to each other is a mystery but some how we get the message through. Promise is also very "old school" and keeps to all the old traditions. For instance she never addresses me directly. She works through the "Numzaan" in Zulu that is "boss" Rita is regarded as the boss of the workers. So Rita comes to me today and says Promise want tablets for her stomach. I ask what the problem is, thinking cramps or gastro etc. promise informs Rita her stomach is "itching" !!!!!!!!!!! Now I beg of anyone not from Africa to understand this number...Itching, I mean hello, should I get the allergy creams? Maybe tell her to scratch it? ....However I ask the next question "Is her stomach running (thinking gastro) I am told (with a dead pan face and serious expression) no the legs have not grown yet and only itching......
I now knew I had lost the plot completely as I wanted to keel over and laugh myself sick.......but did not want to embarass Promise or Rita as this is said with the utmost respect....
I turned on my heels and went to the medicine cabinet. (In this house it is a drawer with lots of bits and bobs of medicine.....) I selected the combination I thought suited the situation....
Promise will not be nauseous, have pain, fart, burp or have a stool for the next week...... I covered all the bases. I also (just to make sure) gave her some multi vite's ( They just had a good colour and are foul tasting....) Makes the muti stronger hey.................
Only in Africa as they say..........................

GESI AND BOBBY

This photo is actually for Bobby...He is our "PRADO" advisor. Thanks Bob great car BUT he also in a very quiet way looks after me in many ways. He phoned to hear if maybe I want to let the house to fishing friends who will be down for a big competition for a few days.....Thanks so much Bob for looking out for me. Unfortunately i cannot accept this as I think I might be packing if all goes as I wish... here I am being very positive as I do not have anything signed sealed and delivered......
he makes the best "tea"...pink in colour and boy oh boy it makes you feel so good. You are special Bob and I am very lucky to call you a true friend........ He will not like this in the blog as he does not like attention BUT hey it's my blog I can do as I please......................

CLYDENE


ERMANNO

These two might come down and visit over the weekend..... I thought of going to Umdloti for the weekend BUT ............CHUBB got in the way.

Chubb and I are not the best of friends at the moment............in fact I told them to get out of my life............

A few months ago we had a burglary at home.....Chubb was the security response company.... We learned the next day that 5 of their clients had the exact same "modus opperandi" burglaries.... We told Chubb it is an inside job, cancelled our contract with them and Hannes wrote an article in the local newspaper. The manager then came and asked very nicely to reconsider as we have been clients for 12 years blah die blah die blah........ We then stayed with conditions that we can cancel the contract in 1 months notice (normally you need 3 months) and we told chubb what service we expect. We were promised the sun moon and stars....................

Since Thursday last week I realised that every time the alarm is activated I have NO response from Chubb. It went like that over the weekend as well. On Monday morning bright and early ( as I do not sleep well and am a little scared on my own.....) I phoned the manger personally who made all those promises and stated my problem. he checked my "file or system"and reported back that they do not receive any signals from me since the 21st of January............

He said he will send a technician to rectify the problem. I stressed that I am very scared and alone at home very often and reminded him of our history with chubb. He remembered this all too clearly and even said his own wife is also very scared when she is alone at home and he completely understands and promised to give it urgent attention blah die blah die blah bullshit....

OK so hear starts the drama.... At 19h30 last night my "pressure gauge" was "off the charts" for empty promises, another night of can't sleep and fear.......

I sent him and his MD of Chubb South Africa an e-mail and a fax to terminate my relationship with the company with immediate effect.................

The MD of Chubb South Africa replied to my e-mail in about 10 words. He just stated that he will forward this to Chubb manger Richards bay to handle.........So much for caring about a customer complaint hey..............................

Chubb Richards bay had a sweet voiced female staff member phone me and she asks...Mrs van Dijk I believe you need a technician............. She has not heard of Attila the Hun has she!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told her sternly but politely to go away ..... next call a very polite man and asks again if I need a technician.....................I little more firmly but still polite!!!!!!!I told him to take a hike......... At 17h00 a call from the manger to apologise for his negligence and to ask me to basically give them another chance......................... I had such a fun time in telling him personally (but still politely) to go to hell and I am sure he will enjoy the ride and take photo's along the way. I had a few very smart quirks which I told him..... I think I would have been an excellent defence lawyer............

OK so why do I then let this keep me from going to Umdloti. I think that Chubb might be involved in planning the next burglary and "they" are seeing if there is some one home and with the alarm going off 3 or 4 times per night "the baddies" want to see if I get tired of re setting the alarm............. I have news for them..............I cannot sleep and it keeps me occupied...... I have very interesting "toys" to "amuse" any one who enters this house.....

Enough of them.....

I had a removal company come in today for the first of 4 quotes to pack and store the house furniture and stuff....... That I think will be a pleasant surprise.....

It is so freaking hot in Zululand and the humidity is killing me........... This house is also so open plan and big that the air cons do not make a dent in the heat.

I had to call an electrician in today as the study light switch made a very beautiful spark and lots of smoke and died........... Luckily it was only a loose wire and was fixed very quickly ...... I do not have any patience to fix anything here...................... I am being tested.......

Dedre ( Hannes's brother daughter) had a little boy today... 4,030kg WOW a big baby.... She sent me and MMS just after her was delivered by Cesarean..... technology is just fantastic.

Dian has settled well and seems happy. He bought a desk today as he will need big space for all his drawings and projects.

JC phoned and was just having a off day......... No good reason he was just NAFI.....

Rossouw is doing Rugby trials tomorrow and the next day and he seems to be very excited...

The economy is hitting everybody hard... Richards Bay families who left for Australia have been told to return as their visa's are being withdrawn due to mining closures and job losses.....Their furniture has not even arrived and they have to leave again....That must be terrible. Dubai construction companies are doing the same as new projects are being "put on ice"

Ok enough from me

L

HOME ALONE !!!!

DIAN ALL PACKED IN HIS OWN CAR


JUST SO REARING TO GO

Well my last chicken has flown the nest.....................

Dian has been accepted at Port Elizabeth University to study architecture. His dream come true. When we came back from Dubai we went for the interview and he was accepted. I found fantastic accommodation for him in an hour. On the beach front, close to the university and he shares with other architect students.....

We had a hectic week before he left on Saturday. We had to register his car, have it serviced PUT IN SOUND (which to him was the most important) and get him packed and ready. he did most of that all by himself. Wish you can see how well this boy can pack a car.....................If it was me you would have had to had a flat bed truck to get it all in PE.

Now this Corsa is slightly round so I can just imagine it go expanding like a balloon that you blow up and down when he listens to his music in the car............ But he is extremely happy.

I cried my eyes out on Saturday after he left. Don't get me wrong I enjoy to see my kids go out and handle the world for themselves BUT it left me all alone. He has been such a help and a pillar of strength in this time of relocating that I cried out of total selfish reasons.

He slept with my dear friend Gesi in Durban on Saturday night. She made him "padkos" and he enjoyed the burgers you made. Thanks Gesi.

I just hope he is going to be very happy and successful.

He had to do the 14 hour trip alone and it was the first time he did such a long trip and on totally unfamiliar roads. he arrived in PE safe and sound last night and did his registering at the varsity today. So lets tick another to do off the list.....Dian done.

On Sunday I pulled a vegetative state on myself and just sat on the couch jumping TV channels.... drinking copious amount of coffee.......

I did however plan my diary for the week to come and it is rather hectic. There is so much little stuff to handle like cancelling DSTV, the phone line, address changes etc etc etc.

I called every available agent in town today and now they have to find a tenant as it seems this house is not going to sell now with this economic climate, so it is move to plan B.

With me alone now I am very very scared with the crime situation. I have the alarm BUT on Friday night it went off at 02h00 and on Saturday night the same. Sunday I had 3 alarm triggers. My big issue is CHUBB did not even respond with a phone call. had them on the line today and was promised they would send a technician out to sort the problem as they are not receiving the signal. It is now 19hoo and needless to say no chubb technician was here today...I am cancelling there response tomorrow with immediate effect and let them try and play hard ball with me.......It will be the same as having a crap in front of a lions cage........(with an open gate)

Last night I could not sleep and starting sorting cupboards. Well I did not get far as I came across a box of letters that Hannes and I wrote to each other just before our wedding when he was on the border in Angola. I sat on my bed and started reading.. It was so good to see that all we wrote then still stands today. We really love each other and can trust each other. We desperately miss each other and feel like lost farts in this separate state. It was good to have confirmation that the rules of our relationship has not changed. I could have written any one of those letters today and would have said exactly the same.

He skyped today just to say how much he misses me....and how lonely he is. remember in the beginning of the blog I told you all I am his entertainment and I tend to colour his life where he gives me the boundaries and the dependability. If you think of a colouring in book he is the dark outlines and me the box of crayons. Together we make a good picture.....generally.

Jinny phoned today and we had a lekker chat and catch up.. Clydene gave me a call last night . SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to have such caring people in my life.

My mind races from place to place. I worry about my boys in so far from us and will they be OK. I am not too comfortable with Rossouw at the moment as I just think he is taking strain with this relocation of the ballies and he is very distant. I phoned him last night and had a decent chat to him and told him he must make more effort with contact. He assures me he is OK.....Time will tell.

He is doing rugby trials on Thursday and he seems to be enjoying it. Next week he has to start the classes and studying again.

JC is very good in keeping contact. he phones or e-mail very regularly. He is coping very well with handling himself and seems to be OK with the relocation. Just his financial situation is always hectic. Shame his car now needs a small service. Another lesson in life to be learned for him.

Laurika who stayed with me recently has left for the Netherlands. She is going to try and settle there. I can just hope she is happy.

It is so freaking hot and humid at the moment...........that I need to get into the pool on an hourly basis in the day.

Tomorrow I have appointments with our broker and more estate agents... I also do not have a car so everybody has to come to me...... To do grocery shopping or needs for the house is an issue......

I do not want to hire a car permanently as I do not need it every day....I now have a choice...rental car once a week OR falcon taxi's. Now I always have a story about Dubai taxi's BUT there you can just flag one down and you know what to expect (A pakistani kaniverstani crossed with Michael Schumacher) Here the taxi drivers were recruited from the old age home...and you have to phone for a taxi. My other choice is the Zulu taxi's......there I can have a disco ball in the taxi with blaring music for the same price or even less. AHHHHH the decisions... but it at least keeps life very interesting. never a dull moment here.

I will keep you posted on this taxi issue.......................

My staff at home are not so pleased to see me I think as when I am not here they sort of take a slow and negligent attitude to the work. With me here I see everything and tell them to clean here do that etc. They might just be glad to see the last of me yet......

If all plans go well I hope to be back in Dubai by Mid or end March.......... Lets keep positive and work to that goal.

I find myself missing Pierre and my Dad more and more each day......I hope those two are having a ball.....

Face book is so fantastic............I am picking up contact with old old friends again, and just a short hullo and message every now and then is great.

OK now I am rambling.....

L