The US of A

Yep again, been AWOL but with good excuse ! Moved onto new compound, didn't have internet for 'an age' which wasn't until almost when it was time to leave for our vacation out of the searing heat of Saudi ! Anyway, when I return next week I will download loads of pics and try to get back up to date with things as soon as possible.

Back to the vacation, we spent a couple of weeks in the UK with family and doing the obligatory 'shopping' ! Then onto the Big Old USA ! I will tell more soon with pics but in short, it was fantastic !

I loved California especially Marble Mountain Ranch and Mount Shasta but I'll leave it there for now although you can have a look at the link below for a preview on The Marble Mountain Ranch:

http://www.marblemountainranch.com/

Photo's courtesy of Katie !

Absences

Sorry for the long absence, but we've been busy on hoiday to Jordan and then Egypt and then busy packing and unpacking from our move to our new 'Super Compound'. Unfortunately internet is even worse than on our old compound and we are awaiting Mobily to set up their mast so we can have access for a more permanent amount of time. At the moment I have been able to snag a 'dongle' just to do a few emergency things like checking my emails and of course to check my blog. While I have a little bit of internet time I thought I'd explain my absence and even try to get a posting published.

I might be back in a short while with an update on the holiday and the move and maybe even some pictures.

Bye for now, Sharon

South Africa

Well we are back and the kids are back at school and life is returning to normal again...apart from the fact that its Ramadam and very hot !

Our holiday was just fantastic and I'm really suffering after being away and having such a wonderful time and returning to Saudi to doing very little at all !

Still stop moaning and get on with the reporting :

We spent the first 10 days in the UK catching up with family and friends and I had that all important 'curry night out with the girls' at the Nepalese Restaurant in Portsmouth. I even managed to have a temporary membership at Roko and got to several 'Spinning' classes...which now seem pretty pointless as I did nothing since once we got on with the holiday and back to Saudi...I will start my exercise regime again... promise ! I need to after all the food !

Then we were off, South Africa...12 hour flight in 'economy' ... urgghhhh ! But it was worth it. We were met at Jo'berg airport by Tracey from 'Get-About Tours and Safari's' whom we booked the holiday with.

We had just the best time in South Africa and went from Jo'berg to Kruger Park, to Moholoholo Game Lodge, to Nkhuru and then onto Cape Town.

The kids loved our visit to the De Wilt animal rehab centre where we met a special character, 'Ambassador Byron'...a cheater that allowed us to pat him and have some pics taken.Another cheater from the 'De Wilt' Cheater Sanctuary

On one of the trips, to the Hippo Hut in Moholohola we were treated to a hunt and capture of a South African Rock Python by our guide..the fantastic Eric who really made this such an exciting place to visit with his speciality subject of snakes.
We also spent our 20th Wedding Anniversary at the Moholoholo Lodge where on a return safari trip we had a wonderful surprise of a beautiful spread of leaves and candles and an iced bucket containing a bottle of Champers ! We sat outside listening to the nocturnal animals munching and chomping around us...the kids were inside in their camping beds!

There really are just so many pictures from this holiday so I'll post just a few at a time.

And YES we saw the 'BIG 5' !

Special thanks goes to our tour guides, Tracey and Clinton from, 'GETABOUT TOURS AND SAFARIS', who put this fantastic holiday package together for us.
Website: http://www.getabout-tours.co.za/

We will be returning to South Africa again for sure.