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We once again took advantage of the empty upper floor of our ex-boarding house this weekend and had the lovely Midgleys and the lovely Adlards over for the weekend. Entertainment (also courtesy of the school) came in the form of tennis and climbing in the sports' centre. Highlights included braai smoke, Pimms, contented kids, Michelle's fudge and uplifting chats.
We spent five days camping in sunny and idyllic Dorset this past week. Stopped over in London first to do a "rusk drop-off" and popped in to Orchard Close to meet Tristan Field, Dean and Lou's new addition. Congrats guys - he's a sweetie!
We camped at Redcliffe Farm campsite near Wareham on the Isle of Purbeck and spent time catching up with Bruce and Liz Watt and their children, Emily and Gus (who live in Wareham). Lots of "beaching" and "National Trusting" (visiting the Trust's protected coast, countryside and historic landmarks). Had such a good time that we didn't want to come home! The photos say it all...
Meeting Tristan
Braving the icy water at Durdle Door.
Corfe Castle (Enid Blyton's "Kirrin Castle" in the Famous Five)
Picnic with the Watts and other locals on Wareham Common.
At Max Gate, Thomas Hardy's home and chilling with new best friends, Emily and Gus.
Tubing on the River Frome with the Watts
Kingston Lacy: 17th century country mansion.
"From now on, please call me British Benjamin Schonken", declared our son as we left the Oxford Registry Office after our citizenship ceremony today.
"Oh, and Daddy, you aren't allowed to speak Afrikaans anymore. You're British."
And so we are. After an (at times) arduous naturalisation process (which cost us £837.36 - but hey, who's counting?), we are Pukka Poms. And we can prove it: we came home and had a fish and chip supper and a nice, strong cuppa. And we have the certificates to prove it.
After swearing our oath of allegiance (along with about 15 other immigrants), we were presented with our certificates by Oxfordshire's Deputy Sheriff. Ben (because he was born here) is the proud possessor of a "Certificate of Registration" while Philip and I have "Certificates of Naturalisation". (Anna is already a British Passport holder because of our visa status when she was born. Fortunately South Africa allows retention of citizenship so we have not had to give up our SA passports.) We can now apply for our "red books" and have already booked our first visa-less trip to Prague in October to celebrate!
Having our pic taken with Her Madge (well, amost).
God save our Queen!
Great to see my brother, Jon, who stopped over in the UK on his way back to SA after presenting a few papers at an Ergonomics conference in the Netherlands. We picked him up in Windsor on Sunday (after he spent the night with Krob and the gang in London) and drove him up to the real nerve centre of the UK: Bloxham. He tasted our prize-winning "Hookie" (Hook Norton brewery) ale at our local, the "Elephant and Castle" and pronounced the honey-coloured cottages and narrow lanes of our Cotswold village to be his mother-in-law's dream. (We took that to be a compliment, June!) We drove him back to Heathrow the next day, with an obligatory stopover at Bicester Designer Shopping Outlet (where Sal was very much missed!).
Hanging out with Uncles Jon and Nico in Windsor.
Jon finally putting his PhD in "Phys Ed" to good use: giving Ben some basketball tips.
We have been in the middle of a heat wave for the last couple of days. I think it is great, but many people are complaining, as you would guess. I have included a picture of our car's temperature gauge yesterday evening (note the time!)
We drove home and set up the little paddling pool for the kids - so I have included a picture of Ben swimming at 17:30. Summer is great in the UK!
We "ticked another one on the list" on Saturday: visited Legoland in Windsor with Godmother Gill and "wish he were my Godfather" Dave. Despite soaring temps and the anticipated oppressive crowds it was a chilled day (in a strictly figurative sense) and Benanna were enthralled. Highlights included splashing around at the "Waterworks", chocolate waffles on a stick and Dave's face at the top of the "Jungle Coaster's" 16 metre drop.
Philip, Dave and Ben showing "Fireman Sam" how it's done.
A little boy feeling postively gigantic in "Miniland".
Setting off on our dinosaur safari...
Still making the most of the British summer...
We had a braai with Benji and Amy last night in their neighbouring village of Barford St Michael. We'll really miss them when they head back to Cape Town for Benj to begin his contract with WP cricket. Holding thumbs that they will head back to Banbury Cricket Club next summer!
Taking a break from trampolining with Amy.
Hopefully the closest Benj will get to a duck this season!
When there aren't any highchairs around a "boer maak 'n plan".
We are so sorry to have missed the wedding of the last James cousin in SA on 17 June. Thanks to the Carrs for forwarding us some stunning pics and wishing Cinds and Darren a long and happy union!
The newly-weds with Gary and Kim and their cute kids.
Cousins and spouses welcoming Darren to the family.
The bride with her proud and glamorous mom.
We have just got back from Ben's pre-school sports day and BBQ. The children had clearly been prepped by the teachers with the usual PC mumbo jumbo: "We are all winners", "taking part is what counts" blah blah blah...
Despite this, daddy screaming, "You've got to win!" spurred Ben on to first place in the "backwards" race. (The egg (potato) and spoon race appeared not to be his forte however.)
Dad's competitive South African male chest was very puffed up after he won the fathers' race. "Let's show these Pommies a thing or two"!
Benjy in action...
Ben and his best friend, Dylan Hill, showing off their medals.
We travelled down to the South-East last weekend for Greg Burbridge's christening in the East Sussex village of Hartfield (also home of AA Milne, Pooh-sticks bridge and Christopher Robin's sweet shop). After attending the service at St Mary's parish church, we had lunch in the village hall on this swelting summer Sunday. We stayed in the area for the night: camping was once again, a big hit with Benanna (although the St Ives campsite proved to be big on stunning scenery but slightly dodge on ablutions). We came home happy, albeit slightly grubby...
Ben taking a break from the bouncy castle at the christening
Chillling around camp
