We said farewell to 2010 on the lawns of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens enjoying a concert with Johnny Clegg and his group. Long picnic first, a leading act, and then finally Johnny Clegg was onstage to much joy and dancing as all 6,000 at the concert stood and rocked to the truly South African rhythms.
Our friend Kay was visiting from Inverness and she joined us, as well as my daughter, Nan & Daniel. We sat next to our good Cape Town friend, Lucille, owner of Ivydene Guest House, who took the photo on the left. Kay took the photo of the concert, right.
It's nearly 7pm on January 6th as I write, sitting outside on a chilli-hot breathless day, the third in a row of scorching temperatures.
On Monday Jan 3rd, we spent a blissful evening with Kay on Table Mountain, first hiking around the top, admiring the views, and then watching the sunset from the summit bar sipping a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc enjoying the stunning view from the top of the mountain, see photo. Thank goodness Kay took her camera - here we are in the gale before sunset on the front side of the mountain - that's the city you can just see on my right. Monday was the last of the windy days - we were lucky to get up - the cable car was closed most of the day because of "gale force winds". We ended the evening with dinner at the Africa Cafe - such a fun restaurant, it's worth checking the link.
The Stanford program began on Tuesday with Orientation and a lunch and I was there to enjoy the food and the course outlines by faculty, and to take photos, of course (with a little help from Kathleen Levitt so there is even a photo of me!)
It feels exciting to be starting another quarter with 23 fresh faces and a number of new courses on offer, together with some of the same from last year. This week is all Orientation, ending with a dinner for staff and students on Friday at Solms-Delta in Franschhoek.
Two new staff have joined the Stanford Centre this year. Jen van Heerden will be assisting Janice McMillan with the Service-Learning placements, and Jessica Lothman has settled into Freeland Lodge with the students as their Resident Assistant.
Last year Claire Gibson, who was a student with us in 2008, filled both those roles. She was an important part of the Stanford family last year and we miss her enthusiasm, her bright face and happy smiles, and wish her luck at Mills, on her medicine track.
Just re-discovered your blog! Missing you all like mad, could do with another holiday. Sorry to hear about your recent injury!! Hope all is well. And love to Tim too!
ReplyDeleteJenny and Will xxxxx