The long drive down from Joburg is starting to feel a bit shorter. Still took 8 hours with stops, at Mufasa speed! Thankfully we know all the truck stops now so we can feed Mufasa at a good price, he gets very hungry. By the time we reached Underberg our thoughts of 'what are we doing' and 'have we made a huge mistake' had gone and we were glad to be home. With the keys in hand we went to explore. Nothing had changed since our last visit. No rain, dry garden, and dead roses that we had planted a few weeks ago.
First on the to do list was sort the electric and water. Easy, no? Before all that we needed an address, post box at the post office. No keys for three weeks though. Water we could turn on at the top of the drive, electric we needed a man with a key to switch our feed on. Eventually two days later with huge help from Faye, our estate agent and new friend, we had power. Boy the cold showers were not fun without it. The water people have our details now, the electric, well still waiting for them to phone us back!
Our next must do was submit the plans for the changes to the house. Easily done and should have them processed by 29th of September, approved hopefully! Following that was meet the builder to get quotes. Done, waiting for the figures, gulp. Just wish the exchange rate would improve. Last job, get someone to take a look at our inherited stove. A No.3 Rayburn. We would love to get it restored and keep it, but depends on how much it will cost and if we can find somewhere to put it. The people in the know are coming tomorrow so fingers crossed.
Other than the above we have been hard at work in the garden. So much to do and only two weeks here to get a start on it. Digging, raking, cutting, sweating! It has been extremely hot during the days. At night the temp drops. Had ice on Mufasa's bonnet Sunday morning! We spent the first few nights in the tent but have now moved in doors with our tent bed on the floor, indoor camping! It has however warmed up at night now though, well for the moment.
The people in the village seem very friendly, but that brings about our biggest nightmare, remembering names. We have started a list! Our aim is not to be hidden away in our house but to get involved in the goings on in the village. We had dinner last Thursday with Faye, her husband James, and her father Roy. Half price pizza at The Grind, and walking distance. Today we joined the Underberg Garden Club and went to our first meeting. Get to meet people, oh and nice coffee and cake! It does seem though that we are the ones not in the know, as the village telegraph has delivered around the news of our arrival. At the excellent plant nursery just out of town, they had heard of us!
Oh well, back to the to do list. Ok, perhaps tomorrow, its evening now, time for dinner and a glass of wine.
