Happiness...

There are moments in life that define you.  They're so monumental to you, that you can close your eyes and remember every tiny detail so vividly, it's as though you were right there in that moment again. Today is Jake's 14th birthday.  Can you believe it?  I really can't.  The time has simply just disappeared...

There's nothing that can prepare you properly for that moment.  The one where they place your tiny, warm, wet bundle of joy onto your chest and he looks up at you with little blurry eyes for the very first time.  It's all consuming and it's a moment I'll never every forget.

I was due with Jake on the 9th of May, but he was late.  My little snuggle buggle.  I had an appointment with the doctor booked for Monday, 17 May (my birthday), but had already warned that there was no ways that I was pushing a baby out on my birthday.  Thankfully, Jake had the same idea.  It was a warm Saturday evening, just before my birthday and Jacques and I had been out for a lovely pizza dinner.  I always used to order a SMOG (salami, mushroom, onion and garlic).  Jacques usually had something with bacon and fresh tomato and chili.  We had a glass of wine (yes, just one!) and went home to try sleep.  You can't sleep too well when you feel like a whale!  Just after mid-night, I rushed to the bathroom and my waters broke.  I woke Jacques and we phoned the hospital to let them know we were on our way.  We also phoned home to let our families know that our baby was on his way!!  We were so excited.  Little did I know what a long day it was still going to be.

We checked in and I was given a private ward, so that I could try sleep, but we were too excited to think about sleeping.  We tried to watch some TV, but kept talking about the day that lay ahead and about the exciting new step in our lives.  At 8am on a gorgeous Sunday morning, my doctor came in to see how I was doing and I requested an epidural for later in the day.  Being a Sunday, the anesthetist had to be called in.  I decided to have a bath and sent Jacques home to shower and change.  He came back wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with a silhouette of a bull with ginormous testicles on it.  Appropriate.   By the time he got back, it was just after 11am.  The anesthetist arrived around 11:30am and I was very happy to see him.  I wasn't very far into my labour, only about 4cm, but that was enough for me.  When was this baby going to arrive??  Thankfully, the epidural allowed me to get some sleep while Jacques went out to get himself some lunch and a newspaper.  About 2 hours later, I woke up in so much pain that they called the anesthetist to come back and top up my epidural.  I had another hour or so's rest before the pain kicked in again.  The epidural wasn't working, but it was too late for them to top me up again.  It was time to push - Jake was ready to make his grand entrance!

Back at home, Jacques' parents and family had joined my parents for breakfast and landed up spending the whole day together in the garden eating crayfish and drinking.  They were all so excited about becoming grandparents and aunties - my family for the first time.  At 17:40, we welcomed our beautiful baby boy into our family.  We were completely in love from the very first moment that they put him in our arms.  As soon as the tests were over and we'd had a couple of photos, Jacques phoned his mom and I phoned mine.  Jacques couldn't talk for tears, but I managed to get out "Hi Mom, I'm holding the most beautiful little boy in my arms".  She went hysterical and started screaming "It's a boy, it's a boy" so loudly that the neighbours knew that our son had arrived.  Blue ribbons were tied around the lamppost on the pavement, so that everyone knew that we had a little boy!  And then it was crazy mad panic stations on their side to get to the hospital in time for visiting hour from 7 - 8pm.

Jake was taken away to be bathed and Jacques went with him, while they cleaned me up and got me ready to move back into the ward from the delivery room.  My family arrived before that though and were told that they weren't allowed to go into the delivery room, but as soon as the nurse had turned her back, they all rushed in to see me.  It was so wonderful for me to have them all with me to share in our excitement.

I wasn't allowed out of bed because of the epidural, despite it not actually having worked properly.  I could move and feel my legs and tummy properly, so I was a bit irritated that I couldn't be with Jake when our families saw him for the very first time.  That night was the first time that we met Paul, Jo's now husband.  It was the one and only time he met Jacques and while I looked a total mess, I'm so glad that he was there.  By the time our families had reached the hospital, they'd already told everyone that Jake was here, so his name was decided for us - we were still tossing up between Jake and Ryan.  I'm glad they chose Jake, I like it so much more and it suits our boy so well!

Once our family had left, Jacques walked with me down to the nursery (in those days the baby stayed in the nursery at night so that mommies could sleep - how lucky was I?).  It was so special standing over that crib, with Jacques' arm around me as we just stared and stared quietly at our little miracle. He was (and still is) so perfect.

The next day was my birthday and I turned 27.  I have never ever had so many visitors before and was so spoiled with flowers and gifts.  Just about everyone I knew came to meet our precious boy.

Jake's growing up so quickly now and I wish that I could press pause for a few moments.  The days go too fast and we seem to be busy all the time.  We've had our challenges along the way, but being his mom has been the most rewarding privilege I could ever have hoped for.  He's a good kid and he has his feet firmly on the ground.  He's brave and funny and thoughtful and kind.  He's got a naughty sense of humour and still loves snuggling up with a good series.  He is an X-Box fanatic and he has some really amazing friends.  It's not easy finding your place in the world, especially as a teenager, but he's doing great.  He's learning how to stand up for himself and for that I am very proud.  This year has seen Jake switch from rugby to hockey and he is absolutely loving it.  It's the first time he's found a sport that he really enjoys.  And I'm still allowed to go and watch and cheer!  Jake loves his photography and is actually starting to take better photos than me!  He loves a good laugh and having his back tickled.  He loves Dexter.  He loves Nike too.  He still really loves going into the bush on holiday and he still wants to be a wildlife vet.  It's our time in the bush that I treasure the most - they are our happy memories!

OK, lastly to my sweet boy , keep on doing what you're doing.  You're perfect just the way you are and you are so special to so many people.  Don't ever forget that!!  You have some really awesome friends, so always look after them and ignore the ones that give you a hard time.  Don't take them too seriously.  You have taught me so much about life and about being a parent.  You continue to teach me!!  I am so pleased that we have the relationship that we have - never ever be afraid to come to me with your problems.  I might not have a solution, but my mother always told me that a problem shared is a problem halved.  Make good choices in life and stay true to yourself.  Don't give in to peer pressure.  I love you for all that you are and I am so proud to be your mom.

Lots of love

Sue XXX

Mana from heaven...

 

 Another of my favourite stops and our last on adventure, Mana Pools in Northern Zimbabwe.  Oh gosh, it's beautiful and the campsites that are along the Zambezi River, are so tranquil.

We were forced to leave Nic's car with the locals at the school where we'd camped, for the rental company to pick up and squished into the 3 remaining cars.  Fortunately, our vehicle had come with an extra tent, so Nic and his family had to sleep in that.  We were a good group for making the best out of a bad situation and fortunately had a few extra days, so managed to still stay in Mana Pools for a 3rd night.  

Arriving in Mana Pools, we were welcomed by a host of animals drinking in the open at a waterhole not too far from camp...

Including an ellie family...

 A big mud-covered ellie next to the road...

 We'd taken a slight wrong turn from reception into the campsite, but were treated to a very special sighting of an ellie strolling through the camp...

 Mana Pools is famous for their elephants that roam through the campsites, however this was our only sighting of one...

 The views from our campsite were magnificent and the photos simply don't do it justice.  Across the river is Zambia...

 In the fading sun, it was just perfect...

 I have dreamt of visiting Mana Pools, but never imagined it would ever be possible...

 The next morning we were up early for a 2 hour walk in the bush.  I really love walking in the wild - it gives you the opportunity to see details that you wouldn't see from your car.  Plus, there's the thrill of never knowing what lies around the next corner...

 Imapla in the forest...

 Would you believe that this is actually a hippo and croc filled dam?

 A grey heron in the morning sun...

 Looking across through the forest - Mana Pools is also well known for it's elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach fruit in trees, but we sadly missed that - a good excuse to visit again...

 A herd of impala, acutely aware of us...

 Massive army ants...

 Fresh lion spoor...

 Water hyacinth...

 Jake and Nic with our guide, Steven...

 And me with the ladies...

 The roads in Mana Pools were better then some others and Jake took advantage of driving me around as much as possible.  We found this mommy and tiny elephant...

 A little herd...

 The baby was so little and we spent a lot of time just enjoying them...

 Thankfully, I didn't see many spiders while we were away.  I didn't really look too hard.  There were a few snakes, including a boomslang that had made a home in the walls of the men's bathroom at Mana Pools, but he stayed out of the way...

 Happy and rested (and make-up free)...

 I can't take credit for the below photo - Avin took this one of Jake and his reflection...

 We were treated with a gorgeous sighting of ellies crossing the river into Zambia...

  Jake watching the elephants with Avin, Ariana and Malia...

 Safely on the other side...

  A pair of white fronted bee eaters...

 Jake enjoying the peace and quiet...

 The rays of the setting sun...

 Jake and I decided to get up early one morning - because the campsites are unfenced, you can get up and go as early as you like.  Estelle joined us and we set off around 5:30am.  By the time we got onto the road, the impala were still lying in the road sleeping, so we were really the first ones out the gate.  We were well rewarded with an amazing sighting of two huge male lions walking down the road right in front of us.  We turned the car and followed them for about an hour.  They lay in the road and marked their territory...

 A sighting like this is exhilarating...

 The car in front of them arrived long after us and took over prime position.  We slowly followed the lions, as we had been doing for some time.  I'd just reached the corner to pass him, when he very rudely cut me off, swung out in front of me to do a U-turn and ensure that he had prime position.  He succeeded in chasing the lions into the bush, where they took cover under some trees.  We headed back to camp for bacon and egg breakfast after I'd told him that I thought he was very rude...

 Our chill out spot...

 Sunrise over the river.  We'd watched the hippos munch their way through the grass on their way out of the water the night before...

 I don't think I'll ever get bored of the views...

 Water hyacinth again...

 A sign leading to our camp.  The dirt road behind leads through the staff village down to reception.  It was about a 500m walk through the bush each way...

Our last braai...

 Now this path at our campsite has a good story!  It's an old hippo track and Jake took me down to the bottom to go and see the river.  Great idea, we had uninterrupted views in all directions and spent a bit of time enjoying it.  Nic came to see what we were doing (I'd already started making my way back up the track) and told Jake to move quickly as there was a croc stalking him.  We thought he was joking, but Jake came up and we very naughtily threw a piece of chicken into the water and the croc re-surfaced.  He was slowly moving towards the very spot where Jake had been crouching next to the water's edge.  And he was HUGE.  Our holiday could've had a very different ending.  And I should've known better, especially since we'd been told that there was at least 1 croc for every 10m2 in the Zambezi and they love the warm shallow water.  Lesson learnt!!

 Early morning sunrise on our last morning...

From Mana Pools, we drove all the way down to Bulawayo, where we spent a night in a filthy bungalow.  The next day we cut back into Botswana, through Francistown and down to the Stockpoort boarder post and back into South Africa.  We spent a last night camping somewhere just in SA and the following day drove on into Johannesburg.  We spent a night in a hotel and all met up for a final farewell dinner, before heading home on the Sunday morning.

I can't even begin to tell you how life-changing our holiday was.  It was so very different from what we've experienced before.  Kruger will always be our favourite place in the whole entire world, but it was amazing to experience something new.  It was a good life lesson for me and I'm glad that we rose to the challenges that the holiday brought us.  I can drive a great big 4x4 in 4x4 mode and it's so much fun.  I do make mistakes, and I did get stuck 2 or 3 times, but that's part of the adventure.  Jake can do it too - he did so well on the roads!!  We travelled with amazing people and we're already talking about doing Mozambique and Malawi next year.  Added to all of that, Jake feels like he did some proper growing up while we were away.  He was very nervous about camping in the wild, but like I've said before, you develop a very false sense of security when you're in a campsite.  You almost forget it's unfenced.  And when the fireflies come out at dusk and you see the hippos wading out the water, it is really special.  We did see a wild cat in the campsite and we did have a hyena in our campsite one night at Mana Pools, but it's exciting.  There's nothing better then lying in your tent at night and hearing the wild sounds all around you - we would do it again in a heart beat and we will!

Thanks for coming on our adventure with us!

Sue XXX

The stuff dreams are made off...

 As a holiday treat, I took Jake tiger fishing on the Zambezi from Victoria Falls.  We only had 2 nights in the beautiful little town, so I booked and paid for this fishing trip long before we left Cape Town.  We were up bright and early and taken down the river to meet up with our local fishing guide, Joe.  

The Zambezi really is an impressive river.  The water that fills it's banks flows from the mountains in Angola.  It's Africa's 4th biggest river and I was blown away by the size of it.  Looking from one bank to the next, I was already impressed, only to discover when we reached the water, that the opposite bank was in fact an island, as was the next bank - the river just kept on widening up, it was incredible. We departed from where the boats are on the left hand side of the screen, from the embankment of the D'Zambezi Hotel.  They'd had 4 lions on the lawns that morning from the Victoria Falls National Park (also unfenced), but we sadly missed those...

 The view towards Victoria Falls from on the river.  The falls are locally known as "the cloud that thunders" and you can see the clouds rising from the falls in the pic below.  Not sure if you can see the little pole sticking out the water towards the left hand side of the photo, marks the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, so technically, we went fishing in Zambia...

 A fish eagle on palm tree island waiting for his breakfast...

 Another view towards the falls...  I told you that the river was big.  And there is apparently 1 croc for every 10m2, so we kept our fingers and toes out of the water...

 Fishing is a waiting game...

 This is one of the bait fish that Jake used...

 Joe and Jake waiting some more - thank goodness in a beautiful setting, or I would've been bored...

 And finally a hit.  All of a sudden, after lots of moving around and casting, the line went mad and Jake tugged back.  It was hard work, but all happened so quickly...

 Whoo-hoo - Jake had hooked his very first tiger.  A very teeny tiny tiger, but never the less, he was pretty chuffed with his catch.  And I think Joe was very relieved...

 Even this tiny guy had massive teeth and we were warned to keep our fingers well away...

 Jake really enjoys the tranquility of being out on the water...

 And so does his mom...

 Can you tell he was chuffed??

 Things started to heat up and Jake caught two Yellow Squeakers, which were hysterical - they make so much noise when you pull them out of the water...

 And they're apparently a dangerous catch - their fins flick out and they have very sharp edges - they can even do serious damage to crocodiles...

 Moving spots again...

 Oh gosh, this boy is growing into such a handsome young man.  I adore him and his adventurous nature...

 Something pretty - two little bee eaters...

 And then we did some more waiting...

 And finally, Jake had another strike!  Can you see the fish jumping out the water over there?  Not only do they have huge teeth, but tiger fish are very aggressive and they put up a serious fight...

 Joe helping Jake to unhook the fish...

 And then it was photo time - that's a really decent size fish...

 Jake took advantage of the opportunity to properly check out the fish...

 He was thrilled to actually be able to see a tiger fish up so close and to be able to hold it in his own hands...

 Seriously - would you put your fingers in there???

One last shot, before this guy was released back into the water.  All catch and release...

 Hippos bobbing in the nearby waters...

 Thumbs up Jake, what a champ! 

 Because we only had 2 nights and so one full day in Victoria Falls, we went straight from the fishing trip, to see the falls with the rest of our group.  I absolutely loved the Victoria Falls town.  It's small, but busy and has some great restaurants and shops for us to refuel and stock up in.  The walk from our beautiful campsite in the town to the falls took about 15 minutes.  There were lots of animals to enjoy along the way too!  Below is a warthog sniffing through the rubbish that the baboons had pulled out the bin (by the way, these are Jake's photos again)...

 The baboons walk around pretty much undisturbed...

 This photo feels like it needs a star to cover the boy bits, but it's super clear and that face is so perfect...

 The very big daddy baboon...

 A bee on a flower...

 And another pretty flower...

 Eventually we reached the falls.  They were in full flood and the spray that was coming off them soaked us through in no time...

 Jake with Brian and Rafael...

 A statue of David Livingstone...

 Another angle of the falls...

 We were very impressed...

 One of the little falls before the main event...

 It was unbelievably hot and very humid, so we took plenty of breaks for the kids (and adults)...

 My bean pole, walking through the park, with the falls on his left...

 

 The park is so well designed and you can walk the entire length of the falls (1.6km)...

 There's Jake and me sopping wet with the falls in the background - the spray totally washes the images out...

 Admiring the first part of the falls...

This is possibly the best view we had of the actual falls.  Because they were in full flood, we actually saw less then if they weren't flooded...

 Can you see how wet Jake is.  The picture's not even very good, because we were in a real rain forest...

 Walking with Brian and Rafael through the rain forest...

 Jake with Nic and Ariana...

 There is apparently enough water going over the falls every minute to sustain Cape Town indefinitely.  You have no idea what it felt like to stand there and watch it fall over the edge - I wish we could build a pipeline...

 Besides the volume of water, the sound is unbelievable.  It's so loud...

 Another unsuccessful attempt at getting a photo of the falls in the background...

 We only too our Welcome photo at the end of our tour...

 A sign to show how far away from home we were...

 This is a view of the river further down from the falls...

 So. Much. Water...

 Pretty flowers in our campsite...

 That night we went out for a good buffet meal at a restaurant called The Boma...

 We were each dressed up in a sarong...

 And were welcomed by traditional dancers...

 Jake and the boys...

 Part of the fun of The Boma is that they serve Mopani worms.  The kids had all worked themselves up a bit about eating them.  Brian and Ariana had already had them on a previous trip to the same restaurant, but Jake had a few things to prove...

 The worms in question...

 The morsel selected...

 Nic helping to get Jake to do it...

 In it goes...

 Jake tells me that it tasted a bit like an old bicycle tyre...

 Not looking too well, but he got a certificate for his efforts...

 Actually, he was very impressed with himself for doing something that he knew his mother never, ever would.  He did stop after one, where as some of the kids had 6 or 7...

 The next day we began our long trip on to Mana Pools.  Below is a baobab tree with leaves on it...

 One thing that really struck us, especially driving through rural Zimbabwe, is how poor the country is.  There are so many people selling things on the side of the road in the hope of making just a little.  This boy was selling baobab fruit that he'd collected on the side of the road for 25c (US) each.  That's another thing.  Zimbabwe has no cash.  I mean none.  You can't draw anything from the ATMs and they'll accept USD as payment, but if you get change in shops and things, it's always in Zim Dollars, which are worthless outside the country.  I ran out of cash...

 Baobabs lined up for selling.  Obviously my child bought, because 1.  He felt sorry for the boy selling them and 2. He actually likes the powdery, sour fruit inside...

 Along the 300km (exaggeration, but not by much) of dirt road, we ran into some car trouble.  Well, not us, but Nic.  I'm not sure what happened, but he lost his breaks and his front wheel nearly came off.  We were really in the middle of nowhere, but found some people, who said it wouldn't be a problem for us to camp on the school fields.  It brought a whole new meaning to the word poverty.  And it was a good eye-opener for our spoiled children to see where other kids have to go to school.  They don't have bathrooms, but have fashioned some cubicles outdoors for boys and girls.  They have a few simple mud buildings and some wooden structures to shelter in when the weather's not great. 

  And here are our four vehicles all set up for the night.  Oh, I also forgot to mention that our group had increased to 4 again - the one family that were turned away at the Botswana border crossing due to visa issues, met up with us again in Vic Falls...

And despite the poverty, this is the beautiful sunrise that welcomed us from the school grounds the next morning...

 I have loved looking through all our photos and sharing them here!  I love how happy and relaxed Jake looks in all of them!

Hopefully the last ones will be up here tomorrow XXX