Recent photo from England

Thank you Angela. I received this photo today. Looks like there is one unhappy face!!! Nowthat she is getting big send a pic of her by herself.

Pretoria

I visited the Klapperkop Fort in Pretoria today. It is one of 4 forts that were built in the area during the Anglo Boer War. It was completed in 1897. I published a picture of one of the other forts in a previous blog. It was cold today, the icicles are from a leaking water tank. I took this photo at 11h15.

Man Eaters

I saw the lions but not the owner. Not really funny!!! These lions were in the news last month for killing and eating their owner.
They are on a nature reserve in Krugersdorp. Only a wire fence separated me from them.

Mothers Day

I was lucky enough to have a brief visit to Durban/Shelly Beach this weekend. I met up with Jenny for a "Mothers Day" breakfast. Here is evidence of what a good mother she is.

Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker monument is situated on Proclamation Hill in Pretoria. It was built to commemorate the "Groot Trek" of 1835 - 1854. Building started in 1937 and it was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 by DF Malan. 250 000 people were there for the opening!! The amphitheatre is close to the monument. The design allows a ray of sunlight from an opening of the dome above to land on the cenotaph (empty grave) on the 16th December. The last picture is of Fort Schanskop.

My English Grand Children

Baby Jake

Just to give an idea of how short Baby Jakes the Boxer is. With us is Japan the TV2 soap star.

Francios Pienaar

The "paintathon" I started organising turned out to be an "Extreme Makeover" of a school in Pretoria. Money collected will be donated to Francois "Make a Difference Foundation"

The Campbells

I also went to see 'The Campbells' who are popular Afrikaans singers. The crowd (from Roodepoort area) lapped them up!! They were at a local shopping centre.

Union Buildings

I've had an education in "Afrikaans" culture over the last few days. I visited the Union Buildings (look at the fine photo) This building houses the Presidents offices. Built from Sandstone and designed by Sir Herbert Baker. The 2 wings are symbolic of the English and Afrikaans languages. It was completed in 1913. Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president here on 10 May 1994.