Trains, planes..... no automobiles

(Does anybody remember the movies Trains, planes and automobiles?)

Beautiful clouds from the plane

On short notice, we decided to take the chance to visit the grandparents in Port Elizabeth. When I looked at flights (not wanting to take the 2200 km per car with possible sleepovers) there were none to be found at an even reasonable cost - and I am talking expensive! In the area of R3000,00 per person. Not a possibility in the slightest for us . So the long in our minds idea of taking a train trip some time or another became the idea to do it now. It seems like a good idea. Overnight in a little bed in two compartments and in Port Elizabeth in the morning. So we booked on the Shosaloza Meyl to depart last Friday. All set and ready, I phoned on Thursday to confirm the bedding booking, only to be told that in fact, the PE train was not running on Friday. Due to a derailment of  a goods train on Wednesday night the tracks were damaged close to Cradok and the train will only run the next Wednesday. We were offered a full refund or a reschedule. There was no way we could reschedule as  we would have no time in PE. Before considering a car journey, I had a quick look at flights and lo and behold, good priced flights were to be found on Mango - but only on Monday morning and returning of Saturday. But we booked and we are here. It's great to be at the sea although it is freezing and the wind pumping. It was 13 degrees yesterday with an icy wind blowing but we stopped at our favorite Schoenmakerskop and made the most of it.

And above all it's great to see the family. Because that is what it's all about. To see L and Oups enjoying their shared love of sport. To have tea with Ouma and talk books. To lie in my ned last night and hear H and his dad talking till late. To see the joy and love on the faces of the kids and the Oupa and Ouma. Just to be here. It's great!

That is Hunter, taking a swim!