Saturday, June 18, 2011

Having a Great time in Pretoria

When we left Marakele we travelled to Pretoria via Brits and all along the Crocodile river. There are huge farms under irrigation and massive potholes in the road and mines everywhere. After lunch in Hartebeespoortdam we were into Pretoria just before the rush hour traffic, which was a blessing. We are a bit overwhelmed every time we get into a City with all the traffic and taxis and what not.
Now we are comfortably settled with our good friend Carl and having a ball. We went over to Johannesburg on Thursday to see the kids and that was lovely. There are wedding plans in the air as Mandy and Craig are getting married in February, which means that we have to be back here. Andrew and Julie are well and unfortunately we did not see Alister as he was working, but none the less, a good time was had by all. Just as we were about to leave we realized that one of the tires were losing air rather rapidly and after a bit of wondering if we should  fix or go, better judgment won and we fixed it right there. We pulled out a full blade of a pocket knife! Luckily we had all the goodies to repair the tire right there as well as the guys to assist. The possibility of this happening on the N1 and me and Dick fixing it  did not have the right appeal!!
We are largely spending our time here in Pretoria eating and drinking. It is just the way it goes here. Carl is spoiling us and we have had some really good meals. Roasted shoulder of Lamb and roast potatoes on arrival. Italian meat balls and pasta the next night and a very French Beef pot last night. All washed down with good red wine and Pot stilled brandy just to settle the food and end the evening properly.
On Friday we met with Mac, an old friend of Dick’s and his wife for lunch at a place called Die Bosvelder. What an interesting place that is. It is a Pub and Restaurant, but with a difference and that difference lies in the menu. They serve dishes that I have never seen on a menu. Dick had Biltong and Kaiings and pap. It was delicious. I had Sheeps’tails and pap. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was even roasted Lambs head on the menu. It sounds gross, but clearly they are doing something right as the place was packed and apparently always is.
Today we have to stock up again as we are leaving tomorrow morning. We are seeing some friends at lunch time. The time in Pretoria is never enough to do all we want to do as we know so many people here and have many friends here, but there is still 3 weeks of holiday ahead and we have to do what we have to do!!

No comments:

Post a Comment