Saturday 15 December 2018

One Daily Positive - Week 50 Leaving South Africa and mum comes to Dubai

With me flying home on the 10th and arriving on the 11th and mum flying over on the 11th and arriving on the 12th, I've got a little confused with what is actually going on.

An emotional week, I really didn't want to leave South Africa, it was the first time Peter and I had been back there together since we left 4 years ago next week. It is also my first Christmas with my mum for 9 years. She came to Dubai in December 2016 for 2 weeks but couldn't leave my dad for Christmas itself.

343 Sunday We went on a safari drive after breakfast. Didn't see any of the Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo and Leopard) but we did see plenty of Giraffe, Zebras, Impala and a Jackal, only the 2nd time I've seen one of those. We lazed around in the afternoon, there was an amazing thunder storm and in the evening we went out to another lodge to eat as the restaurant where we were staying closed at 5pm and they didn't think to tell us until 3pm.

344 Monday Left before breakfast, called in at my friend to collect my police clearance certificate I'd being trying to get processed for 4 years. We spent the day at the Mall of Africa, had lunch and called in at Peter's old office on the way to the airport. A night flight, didn't get much sleep. Peter is staying on for a week, delivering a training course and seeing friends on the weekend.

345 Tuesday I got home at 7am, I had a bath and went to bed for an hour and slept, unpacked, washed, did a food shop, had coffee out and cleaned the house through for Mum's visit. Caught up with TV recordings, lazed around and left for the airport at midnight to collect my mum. Was pleased to see how well the new grass is growing.

346 Wednesday Mum was up early and we collected the cat and dog from boarding and dropped off a couple of gifts, grabbing a coffee on our way. A lazy afternoon and pub quiz in the evening.
Mum arrived at 1.30am, looking fresh and relaxed.

347 Thursday Took mum to the Marina Mall, she has lost her bearings, on her last visit we were the other side of the city. We ran out of gas so had beans on toast for dinner and walked Bob round the estate. I was in bed and asleep by 8pm (4pm UK time)

348 Friday Up early to walk Bob as he's had a dodgy tummy after having a bone 2 days ago and has had a few accidents in the house. We then went to Oasis Mall for some shopping, coffee and to look at the Christmas decorations. Home late afternoon, watched TV, had dinner and walked Bob again. Mum has no concept of the size of the mall she is in and is insisting the Christmas tree is small.

349 Saturday Went to the beach in the morning and Ibn Battuta Mall in the afternoon, had a lazy evening watching Christmas movies.

On the blog this week:

Christmas Jumper Day
Preparing the Garden for Winter
Colourful shacks in South Africa
You don't need to survive Christmas




14 comments:

  1. Lovely photos this week. Love the photo of the giraffe. Hope your mum is enjoying her visit.

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    1. Mum is having a fab time and it's not even been a week yet

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  2. How lovely for you and Peter to share some memories and visit old haunts together.
    I bet your mum is looking forward to spending time with you and I have to say I have a chuckle most days at your exploits out with the poor woman....bad daughter!!!! lol
    Great colours in those boats.

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    1. it was lovely to catch up with our friends together. Mum is fuelling the situation and winding me up for sure lol

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  3. Aww! What a very emotional week!
    How amazing to see all those animals and fantastic to have your mum visiting! Have a lovely time together x

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  4. Thank you for the giraffe updates. It must have been hard to leave SA again, I can't believe you moved 4 years ago, that's scary. Hope you are having some fun with your Mum #365

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    1. I think time goes faster the older i get and it seems to work differently when you live abroad

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  5. Must be lovely having your mum visiting! The tree does look small in the picture compared to the building! Hope Bob's stomach is sorted now!

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    1. having a great time with mum, i don't think we'll find a tree big enough for her

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  6. What an emotional week for you. How lovely to have Mum with you for Christmas. The safari sounds very exciting, I'd love to see a giraffe. The Christmas tree looks a bit lost in that huge shopping mall.

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    1. the tree does look a bit lost in that mall, but mum still doesn't get just how big the tree is still lol

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  7. I would love to go on safari! The colours of the mall's roof are incredible! #project365

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