I’m sitting out on the veranda at Mick’s house and listening to the weaver birds as they build their amazing nests in the trees in the front. It’s the view I always think about, and the sounds (they are very noisy) I hear when I think of being here.

And now, here I am!

It was a grueling trip! Even with the break in Abu Dhabi. The flight to AUH was almost full and almost ended up jammed in 4-across. But luckily, as I was watching closely while people were boarding, there was an extra seat up ahead but only enough room to spread out a bit, not lie down. So 16 hours…

I watched all 8 episodes of the Netflix series, Unbelievable, which Mardelle had told me about and that was very good. So basically no sleep and arrived in the late evening. I was blown away by the smog in the city. Everything was shrouded in a mist so that the building, all lit up, glowed! Spectacular but unexpected!

If I had known ahead of time, I would have stayed out by the airport at the - basically - airport hotel. But ended up taking a taxi (no hotel shuttle, which was the reason I had picked this particular hotel!). The taxi driver did a brief tour of the city so I saw the Grand Mosque in the distance and various other areas. The hotel itself was very shiny! Lots of gold and shiny objects!

The next morning, bright and very early, I got the flight to Jo’burg, which wasn’t as crowded, and half the length of time. With a very short connection time, I was anxious about being late, but fortunately, we were early and I made the connection - barely - to Durban.

What a welcome sight to see Mick and Debbie! By this time, my head was really mushy but I did remember to pick up my sim card for my NEW iPhone 11 Pro Max that I got the day before I left!

So now it’s been a few days, and my sleeping routine is settling down and I feel (almost) normal.(No comments, please.)

Today, we spent the morning at the Shongweni Farmers Market, a favorite of mine. Good coffee, first thing and then a bite for breakfast. I swore I wouldn’t buy anything but…I found the key ring I had looked for 3 years ago.

So far, because I haven’t really been out and about much, I haven’t formed any opinion on the country as it is now. I think it’s going to take a while. I get my car the day after tomorrow, so will be able to explore and really get the feel of things.

But I am not rushing into anything. No major decisions about anything for a while.

In the meantime, I have an idea for an article for Country Life, that I did so much work for, way back then. And a pitch to write for an article based in up north east of here.

Tonight, I’m enjoying the Tapanga Rum I got last time I was here, while sitting out on the veranda.

Life is good.