Getting Settled

Wow time goes so quickly! Its the end of our third weekend and we have had a very busy week.

Firstly, we have finally got our insurance and the car as we suggested on Facebook. We picked up Whiney on Sunday, and she is a very very nice little car. Diesel motor and everything works, except for that terrible whine! The good news is that we popped into a workshop between Newport and Yarmouth, and arranged to have the wheel bearings replaced. Sam took the time to look around a very nice farm style food store there and bought some Tomato and Chilli relish which we have been scoffing with Camembert and anything else we feel like mixing it with. So on Thursday which was very cool and wet, Sam spent the day doing housework and I took the car to be repaired. And whilst we will still call her Whiney, she is running quietly and silky smooth! Excellent.

 

 

Here she is! Whiney the Seat Cordoba Diesel Estate TDi SXE (xyz?) Perfect for the weather and roads

Also on Thursday we had the chap from Sky come in and install our satellite so we now have 1000 channels at home including a host of HD channels. And the irony is like back home in SA, we spent Thursday evening flicking through channels with nothing to watch! It does however allow me to watch Super 15 rugby, MotoGP, Formula 1, Cricket and other real sports without having to watch too much Football in between. Sam is pleased because it has wall to wall Mentalist, CSI: SoCrappy Miami, LA, NY and other crime series to keep her interested.

We have got used to walking down into Cowes to do our shopping, and we can chose a variety of different routes to go. Just down the road from us is Northwood Park, which is just super (said with proper English accent) to walk through and also house St Marys church, which is hundreds of years old. It is really fun, and maybe a bit weird, to go through the cemetery looking at all the grave stones, some as old as the late 1700s. The park is very pretty with flowers and Cedar of Lebanon tree's (which are huge!) and I have put some scenes from the park below.

Northwood Park, yup that's are back yard essentially. Tough hey....?

Sammy browsing a flag stone with information map. Not defaced, not stolen, and up to date. Nice...

Lots of these oriental type trees on the island. Have yet to ask Google what they are, but if any one knows, feel free to comment

Small building adjacent to St Marys and just as old and interesting

There are also millions of daffodils on the island at the moment, most are yellow but there are also hundreds of variants

Very pretty! Taken in Jodi's garden in Ryde

Variant pictured in Northwood Park

We have learnt where to shop for the best bargains, and where to go when you want to buy in bulk. We do currently favour the Tesco's in Ryde, mostly because the drive there is just so stunning. We will stop alongside the road this week when it is quiet to take some pictures. On Friday we took the car across to the mainland as I had to go and see Motorola in Basingstoke. It went very well and I hope to start work with my current company, but on the Motorola account in the next few weeks. Afterwards we raced up the hill from Basingstoke to Woking to see our boys. We stop at the services outside Basingstoke, kind of like an Engen One Stop, just much bigger so that I could change out of my suit and tie into something more suitable to see the cats. The toilet facilities are erm, a little small in the UK, and usually very grubby. This one was clean but I had to change in a cubicle, which would be fine for a Hobbit, but it took some serious flexing and balance to get it done!

As we have mentioned before we are very happy with the location and facilities the cats are in. We found them fast asleep on their heated beds, and we spent an hour and a half with them, including eating our lunch so they could settle in and enjoy our company. Jinx is still extremely cheesed off with both of us and played both hard to get, grumpy and irritable and also sweet and pleased to see us....ok I made up the last bit, he is still seriously sulking. Tigger on the other hand was only too pleased to see us and to enjoy our company. He did have a moan as we arrived but then quickly gave in to the love and attention he was getting (and some chocolate which he loves).

"The left ear flattened is a good sign that I am still cross with you!"

"I am pleased you are here, but I am still not talking to you"

Tigger having a good look at the roof, plotting a potential jail break.

"Ok I am actually really happy to see you, especially when you tickle me!"

 

 

Mommy's boy

We returned to the island on the ferry later on Friday afternoon. Leaving the harbour we got a chance to see the new P&O Cruises Azura. It is simply a mammoth ship, the biggest I have ever seen. Looks really flash to with lots of balconies for the rich and famous. We took a number of pics. Just look at the cars and people on the ship to get an idea of sheer scale!

Taken from the Red Funnel ferry dock in Southampton

Have a look at the cars on the pier......

The ant-like people on the top right hand side give an idea of size as well. 

Every weekend we have had a braai with the Conan and Kerri, Mark and Jodi and their kids. Its been great to socialise and they have really made us feel welcome and at home. This weekend it was Mark and Jodi who hosted the crowd, and their home is just lovely. But the view from their back garden, is just unreal!

Hard to see but there is a barn on the other side. Actually pics don't do it justice!

Yip that is the sun again!

Zoomed in view of the field.

Sunset, again, camera just does not do it justice!

On the subject of braaing, its a bit of an art form here, because the English are not so good at making quality brikettes, although they are champions at charging a fortune for them! So it can be tricky to keep the heat of the fire going. Another thing is that mostly braai's consist of sausages

Sausages on the BBQ. Note Sam's vegetarian option being cooked in foil, to keep them erm, kosher?

In Mark's defence, he had cooked up some fantastic pork complete with crackling before we did the sausages. It was a great afternoon, and I have put some pics below of the kids etc. Conan and Kerri took their kids home at around 7, and we stayed on for a last drink, which ended at midnight. It was a great evening and Sam drove us home safely as the designated driver.

Mark. Super chap!

Sam with Connor and Jules

Yes its busy and like this the whole time!

Jules, Conan and Kerri's youngest

The CLASSIC Conan Kinnear pose!!

Sammy smashing her allocated one glass of wine for the day. Note the happiness!

Jules looking cool in some shades

Noah, Mark and Jodi's little dude. He is the sweetest little guy

Connor, Conan and Kerri's eldest boy, and as naughty as his Dad! But a sweet little guy too. Abby (Kerri's daughter) was not available for pictures yesterday, but her agent promises one or two next time.

Today as advertised we did go and buy our Wellies, and then took a walk in the Firestone Copse (no not the tires, its the real name!) just outside Havenstreet, with Conan and family. Before that, Sam and I went for lunch at a real English pub, complete with the postcard views we are getting used to here on Isle of Wight!

Posing outside the pub

Fabulous pub between Newport and Ryde. Toothpick is going to love this place!!!

The view from the pub. Postcard stuff and not a parking lot in sight!

A great pic of Sammy

That is Sammy's "enough with the pics face"

Firestone Copse

Walking with the the Kinnears.

Going onto the muddy paths that lead down to the tidal river at the bottom of the Copse

Looks cold, but in fact not too bad at all

Kinnear at the tidal river

Looking down the river towards Wooten

Artsy bit for Denise. Hope you like this one!

My beautiful wife!

Sammy walking in her polka dot Wellies

The lads

More flowers

Not the hardest thing to do, walking in the Copse!

So ja! Its been a great week and we are really getting settled in. This week should bring some good weather, finality to the job scene and some good walks exploring the Isle. We can't wait!