Christmas News from Di & Ian at the Sation House

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, happy, healthy and prosperous 2009, wherever you are.

It is hard to believe that is again that time of year to catch up with old friends and to reminisce over the past year’s activities before yet another year comes around. The year started off well with us hosting friends and family at a sundowner party on our expanded patio early in January. What a pleasure to be able to entertain in our renovated home! The sad part was that it was also a farewell ” in January to Di’s sister Hilary who returned to Sydney as well as yet more friends from Johannesburg leaving SA - this time ”packed for Perth”.

Late in January, we drove down to Umhloti, on the coast north of Durban, to collect our new Ridgeback puppy. She was then 2 months old. What a gorgeous pup she was – brown with wheaten beige markings and a lovely black muzzle. Tessa started playing happily with Cindy, who was very wary of this little terror. It was not long though before they became firm friends. Cindy has always stayed around the house so it was natural that Tessa followed suit. They love being taken for walks, but when we go out, they stay home and wait on the patio for our return!! Tessa is now a big girl of a year, weighing over 40kgs which means she dominates Cindy who is somewhat sleeker. But our cat Zazu has never been happy when Tessa tries to play with him! Tessa still sleeps in the bathroom at night which gives Cindy peace and quiet in her “laundry bedroom”. Tessa’s favourite activities are playing with whoever’s dogs are around, wading and swimming in the dam as well as chasing buck and scrub hares. Other loves include eating and sleeping!

Di and her mother Chris “deserted” Ian for a month to go to Sydney to visit Hilary. A three night break en route in Dubai on the way was great – each day had something different to experience - apart from the shopping of course. The first day was spent on a city tour learning so much of the history of Dubai which is such a young but vibrant and fast developing city. The next afternoon was spent driving out to the desert. Chris had to sign an indemnity form as no-one over 65 is supposed to go on these trips. The dune bashing, camel riding (see the photo as proof!), dinner in a Bedouin tent, with a belly dancing show thrown in too, under the stars, was just magic. The henna painted hands were still very much evident for the first few days in Sydney.

Luckily Di got to “cat sit” a beautiful white Persian in a unit below Hilary’s 2 bedroom unit for the whole 4 weeks. It worked out well for all concerned – especially Bianco who did not have to go into a kennel!

Sydney was wonderful especially for Di who got to spend quite a lot of time with some “old” friends – all who worked together for a long time at Premier Foods. Those were the best of days!! She had not seen them for varying lengths of time – from 12 to 18 years. No-one looked any older but how everyone’s lives have changed over the years.

Our winter was surprisingly mild this year with the grass remaining green until August when it finally turned brown. This caused problems with the mandatory burning of fire breaks and the long grass since it was not dry enough. This should have been done by mid July. But we will not be complaining if the temperature is more temperate again next year!! The road to our house finally got repaired which is wonderful. Our garden is still undergoing reconstruction – it is an ongoing project. There are now more evergreen shrubs and conifers planted which bodes well for the coming winter. The roses are growing well this year - the balls of Di’s hair that have been tied onto each rose bush have kept the buck away! It is a “strange but true” method – and an easier solution than spraying them daily with lion’s pee!!

Twice this year, Ian took a few days break to go to Bivane Dam with the Johannesburg fishing club in April and then again in October with 5 fishing friends. He enjoys getting away for a few days with the guys. We drove up to Johannesburg with Ian’s mother Ena to see his daughter Fiona’s new townhouse and to celebrate her 26th birthday over that same weekend. How the city has expanded. It has got busier, more crowded and there is development everywhere - hard to believe that we had only left 2 years before. We enjoyed the 3 nights with family and friends but were pleased to be home in peaceful, rural Mooi River again!

The biggest surprise this year was the beautiful snow in late September. It fell solidly throughout day. Being a Saturday, we had guests in the cottage who were delighted as it was one of their daughter’s birthdays – it is one she will remember for quite some time. The percentage rate of occupation for our cottage has continued to increase – and long may that last. Ian spent quite a bit of time doing some much needed maintenance work on both the inside and the outside. We upgraded some pieces of furniture and some furnishings as well. Numerous guests are return visitors which is very gratifying. It is a pleasure and privilege to have guests who love the relaxed atmosphere and stunning surroundings.

This year we again entered the local fishing competition but we took home no prizes. Maybe it was a good thing, considering the results of the past 2 years. Ian managed to catch a 1kg fish but Di nothing. The wind was strong on a partly cloudy day. Ian had battled to catch fish over the previous weeks so it was not surprising that less than 30 fish were caught by the 120 odd anglers. Tessa decided to swim out to the boat to help! The fishing has been variable all year. At the end of last season fish were very active feeding up before winter. Ian could catch up to 10 1 - 1.5kg fish in a couple of hours. Water Affairs pumped lots of water to Midmar Dam downstream (ultimately a source for Durban), during winter so the spawn in spring wasn’t that great. Since then it has gradually got worse. With lots of rain lately, the dam is nearly full albeit a bit muddy.

There has still not been a record bass caught. The biggest caught this season? 2.5kg.
We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this month. Hilary has arrived for Christmas from Sydney. We drove to Durban to fetch her; the first time there since moving here. We plan a more relaxed visit for her this year, more restful than her last few months at home. So if you are going to be in KZN, please let us know. We would love to spend time with you in our own little piece of SA paradise.

Ian and Diana Cawley Email: stationhouse at yebo.co.za
Tel/Fax: +27 (33) 263-2501 Web: www.wheretostay.co.za/stationhouse
Address: Station House, Off R103, between Rosetta and Mooi River, KwaZulu Natal Postal: P O Box 179, Rosetta, 3301, South Africa