| Do not read in the dark | October 2002 |
Thursday 24 October
Today I collected the last of my unemployment money and not only was it the "final payment" but only about 10% of the usual amount, as I suspected it would be. I was told separately by two of the security guys that they would miss me. Weirdo's not to be taken seriously. Only in Cape Town do people with big guns in their hands say silly things like that, I'm sure. You'd think that in their line of work they're trained not to miss.
Monday 28 October
Well, I didn't get very far with my news on Thursday, did I? And I suspect I won't get very far today either since it's almost tomorrow when it gets to 10.40 p.m., isn't it? But it's worth a try.
I've spent much of today trying to get up to date with my emails, but how many times will you let your computer instantaneously reboot on you before you stop trying? Anyway I've done most of them and tomorrow's another day, I suspect.
I am intending to include a few email snippets from readers in this issue, but if Outlook Express gives me too many problems with cutting and pasting, then that might not happen and I apologise in advance to those who may have been expecting to see their words in here. Yes, I realise I should perhaps try another email programme.
Michael and I are going to be out of Cape Town from 14 November to 5 December. We're taking our two weeks of "Travel Trust Plan" holiday, one week at Bushman's Nek, Kwazulu-Natal, and one week at Gethlane Lodge, Mpumulanga. We're taking our car so it's going to be a road trip. There are some long drives involved so on the way to Bushman's Nek, we're spending a night in Port Elizabeth and on our way back to Cape Town, we'll spend a night in Colesberg. After the Gethlane Lodge week, we're spending a few days in Gauteng (Pretoria and Johannesburg) so that we can see family and friends there. We'll arrive in Gauteng (probably Pretoria) on Friday, 29 November and leave again (probably from Johannesburg) on the morning of Wednesday, 4 December. We'll try and see as many friends as possible, and if you're interested, please get in touch! Presumably we will stay with Michael's family and my mother while in Gauteng, if that's ok with them! Amanda and I are hoping that Amanda and Macjerry's baby will have been born by then (although Amanda is only due on 06 December and she doesn't really want it to come any earlier than necessary) so that I can see him or her. You know how it is. It's like David's wife, Sharon, whose baby is due on 02 March next year, but she's hoping to hold out until the following day so that the baby's born on 03/03/03. Good luck, Sharon!
Anyway so I will probably not be reading my email between 14 November and 5 December. You should be able to contact me by cell-phone though - don't forget I have a new number now (I've emailed it to most of you). If you don't have it for some reason, just ask.
Oh, I've updated the chameleon page since the first time and will hopefully continue to do so. Those interested can access this page at: http://www.adt.org.za/chameleons/diary.html.
Well, I should have a more productive day with this issue tomorrow, but for now I say good night since I would like a sleep.
Tuesday 29 October
I'm reading this book by Nick Hornby called "How to be Good" - it's fiction, by the way - and I'm really enjoying it - I love the way it's written and it's clever, interesting and funny. I haven't read anything by Nick before, but I have seen the movie "High Fidelity" which is based on a book by him. I'm still reading lots of books, mostly those from the library and Helen and I have also been swapping books (love those Marian Keyes books - she is a phenomenon!). Exclusive Books is just filled to the brim with fantastic-looking books, but I'm not buying any. That's one disadvantage of not earning money. But don't take this as a sign that I am moaning about not having a job because I'm not. I can only blame myself and yet blame is not the right word when I am not actually making much of an effort to find something to earn money at. Eventually I will make enough of an effort. So don't worry. Actually I'm really pleased that people have stopped expressing anxiety over my "situation". I suppose it's almost become a norm now and since I'm not complaining about things, why should anyone else?
So I haven't been buying books (except a compulsory quarterly Leisure book), but I must admit that I bought two CDs on the day I got my last full Unemployment benefit (26 September). I just thought that since it was my last full payment, I would treat myself (amazing logic, I know). So I got the 101 (SA Popstars) album and the Blue "All Rise" album. Unexpectedly they both came with bonus CDs. Anyway I love them both, they're fantastic and I like (or love) each and every song on them which is brilliant. Blue (UK band) is incredibly funky. And 101, well what can I say, they have done themselves proud - I am really impressed. And I really enjoyed the Popstars "Showcase" on TV on Saturday. I managed to tape it as well since we now have a new VCR. Before I say more about the VCR, I want to mention that I am also really pleased that the other five from the Popstars top 10 have a band (Afro-Z - sp?) and a recording deal with Virgin records now. Their first single ("Phenomenal"?) is fab and I really like their version of "Ticket to Ride" (you know, Beatles song) as well. Good luck to them.
On 19 October Michael bought a new VCR for us and he managed to tape most of the Currie Cup rugby semi-finals for me. See, I'd planned to watch both at home (from 3-7 p.m.), but I'd also arranged along with Verity to visit Nomfuzo in her new house in the early part of the afternoon. Verity was the one with the car and unfortunately she ran late so we only got to Nomfuzo around 2 p.m. And she lives in Strandfontein, so it's pretty far from Kenilworth. Anyway I watched part of the first game (Lions vs Cheetahs - congrats to Lions for winning it) at Nomfuzo and Skumbuzo's house since they were kind enough to put it on that channel for me. And then when I got home I saw most of the Bulls vs Sharks game (was really pleased the Bulls won, I must admit). Then later and the next day I watched the other bits I hadn't seen before. Anyway I am really, really pleased with the new VCR (my early Christmas and birthday gift ;).
Anyway it was wonderful that Saturday to spend time with Verity and baby Alex and with Nomfuzo, Skumbuzo and baby Mihle. Skumbuzo's other daughter, Anda (who is three), was also there. Very quiet, but there. Anda is pronounced "under" and Nomfuzo calls her "Under my feet". Nomfuzo made us a delicious "pap en vleis" lunch. Verity and I couldn't finish the pap (shameful), but it was a lot! Anyway they have a cute new 3-bed home and they can see the sea from their garden. Apparently it's far better than living at Pollsmoor Prison where they were living before. You think I'm lying - it's true! Skumbuzo works there.
I saw Verity and Alex two days before that as well. I took the train to the library to return my books and pick some more on Thursday the 17th and then I took the train straight to Verity after I decided I wasn't keen enough on any of the books I found. (Wendy and I returned the next day and I borrowed five books, so was very pleased I'd decided to restrain myself the previous day.) Well, we'd arranged that I would visit Verity earlier in the day so it wasn't just at a whim that I went to her house after the library. Alex had forgotten me again (or at least he wasn't sure of who I was!), as is to be expected. A month (give or take a few days) is a long time in the life of a boy who's not yet a year old. He says "huh?" a lot when he's trying to figure out who you are. Anyway Verity made some delicious lamb breyani for us for supper and we ate when Michael arrived. Danny (Verity's husband) arrived soon after, and then Melanie (Verity's sister).
Oh then we went home to fetch Lauren so that we could visit my dad at a clinic he went to for about a week while he was changing to different medication. What had been the plan earlier in the day was that Michael and I have supper at Verity's and then fetch Lauren after her test at UCT and then go through to visit my dad. But then Lauren smsed (texted) Michael (after she'd finished her test early) to say that she was getting a lift to our house. So I had to call Wendy from Verity's to make sure that she was home for when Lauren arrived there. See, Lauren didn't know about the supper at Verity's plan since it was organised during the course of the day and she thought Michael would be coming from home to fetch her. Anyway then Lauren and Wendy didn't have supper to eat and later went to get some KFC and McDonalds respectively.
Last week Wednesday, Verity phoned me just before their lunchtime at work to ask if she and David could come for lunch. In fact she wasn't really asking, she was just letting me know in advance that they were planning on coming whether they were getting dry bread and water or a real meal. It happened to be Wendy's day off work from "The Daily Grind" (a "coffee house" she waitresses at). It was also the day of Michael's third end-of-year exam and he was back from it by then. Wendy ate before they arrived (she was hungry) and then, once they'd arrived and I'd determined that they weren't opposed to it, I made a bacon and egg lunch (do you think I care that it's really a breakfast meal?) for the four of us. It also included toast, fried viennas and fried tomato. I'm always nervous about cooking for people I don't live with, but neither Verity, nor David turned green so I'll have to assume they were okay with it.
When we were sitting in the garden afterwards, Michael found one of the chameleons (I think it was Oreganum - see my chameleon diary ;) and I asked him to bring it to me. Verity had apparently never picked up one before or at least she was freaked out about the idea, but we peer-pressured her into it. No actually she clearly wanted to give it a go despite her nerves. So eventually after we had to go through the thing of first putting the poor thing onto her shirt, NOT DIRECTLY ONTO MY SKIN, ARE YOU MAD! and then eventually she let it climb onto her trembling hand off mine, I think it was. "It's not actually so bad" I think she said. By the way, Oreganum didn't seem to be bothered by any of this, so please do not report us to the SPCA. Then Verity and David had to rush back to work because you know how hard they all work at UCT and it was already after 2 p.m. (oops, while the boss is away..).
Speaking of lunches, on Friday I took the train to town (i.e. Cape Town's city centre) to visit Kelvin and Debbie, or at least to have lunch with them. We were all to meet up at the Wimpy in St George's Mall although not necessarily to eat there. I was fascinated to see all the cops/security people riding around on horses. I haven't really been to town during the weekday for a long time. I mean it doesn't look like a whole military-guard kind of thing, it actually looks quite quaint and the horses look happy. Anyway we were all happy to stay at Wimpy and I was quite impressed with the Bravo Burger special I had. Kelvin and Debbie have both recently started new jobs in town and we mostly discussed them. Really the lunchtime was too short (they each only had an hour and of course that included the time it took to walk to Wimpy and back to their respective offices), but it was fun. And I got mine free and Debbie almost got hers free too (I'm not allowed to explain how that happened in the newsletter, unfortunately).
Wow - sometimes I wonder about certain radio DJs. You know how when a song you really, really like comes on the radio? And you think "wow, fantastic, I haven't heard this in ages, years maybe!" and you're enjoying it and suddenly in the middle of the song (not near the end, sometimes not yet halfway through the song) the DJ opens his or her big mouth and starts talking? Anyway even if this is not something you have ever experienced, doesn't it sound annoying? Well something like that happened a few minutes ago. But it was worse because the DJ said something like "Wow, that song is about ten years old and we still get so many email requests for it - isn't it amazing, and now we've got so-and-so with the news"- cut to news music… Now wouldn't it have been better to have kept the song until after the news or not played it at all if you were going to start yakking in the middle of the song (arguably the best part of the song for that matter)? Anyway I thought that was really bad deejaying, the height of tactlessness. Needless to say I've switched the radio off. Couldn't be bothered to try another station. I suppose people who really adore the song should own it on CD or tape or something and should be able to find it now and listen to the whole thing in peace, but it doesn't often work like that, does it?
While we're on the subject of music, on 23 September Verity invited me to go to Dockside with her and Melanie. It took some convincing since I hadn't felt in the mood, but I went in the end. Verity was quite excited about the fact that Danny had given his approval of the situation and also that it was a foam party. Neither of us had been to one before and I wasn't keen on being covered in foam. Luckily when we got there and the foam started coming down, neither were Verity or Melanie (keen, that is). Well, we avoided it as much as we could. In the main arena where the foam was being ejected from above, there were places you could stand and mostly get away from the stuff, but it didn't mean you would be able to avoid other people rubbing foam off on you when they walked past. Also the longer it went on for the more foam there was and it was being walked everywhere so you couldn't help but get it on your shoes and the bottom of your clothes. The stuff smelt like Handy Andy, certainly nothing as pleasant as bubble bath foam, although luckily it wasn't a strong smell.
The music in the main dance area got too rave/techno and I'd seen the Jazz Café downstairs so suggested we try that out. Melanie stayed with her friend while Verity and I went to the smaller Jazz Café. Once we were there we didn't want to leave. It was fantastic. All night it was difficult to get drinks from any of the bars, but luckily we don't drink much so we only had to "queue"/"barge" a couple of times. At one stage Verity and I were dancing on the big speakers next to the stage in the Jazz Café - we'd never done that before. Melanie and friend with friend's friend came to the Café as well at one point and then she lost her friend (accidentally) and came and danced up on the stage/speakers with us. Later she said Verity and I were hardcore. Anyway a good time was had by all (I was glad they had convinced me to go). I could go into more detail, but really is it necessary?
Earlier that day I'd had lunch with Amanda and Macjerry and other UCT-related people. Michael also came along. It was at the UCT Club and Amanda and Mac were in Cape Town for a few days (Amanda's baby shower had been on the Saturday just past) so Amanda had arranged (with Valencia's help) a get-together. Amanda got some extra baby gifts and was pleased to see everyone. I was glad I could stay and chat a little bit longer after the others unfortunately had to get back to work. And then Mac and Amanda gave me a lift back down to the Main Road so that I could go to the bank and then catch the train back home. They would have given me a lift home, but I needed to draw a cheque for the levy anyway and it was more convenient to do it in Rondebosch than in Kenilworth. Oh I've got a pic here of Debbie, Amanda and Macjerry from that day. As you can see, this issue is very short on pics. I think Valencia took the photo with Debbie's digital camera.
Oh that was a Monday, but the following day was a public holiday (Heritage Day) so it didn't matter that Verity and Melanie were out partying their heads off on a Monday night.
On Heritage Day, Lauren and Ross came visiting and we all went to Wimpy for brunch. Michael got a free Wimpy glass with his special meal. Wimpy always seems to be giving glasses away, yet they couldn't give Wendy a large Coke because apparently most of the large glasses were broken. Anyway their food's good, which is more than I can say for my first and last experience of Pirates in Plumstead, but do you really want me to go there? Actually let me just say it's not that their food was bad, but the cheese sauce didn't really taste like cheese and the portion of cauliflower and cheese sauce that they gave Michael was miniscule plus you have to pay extra for these tiny veggie portions. Also they're supposed to be a fabulous steakhouse (right, how many years ago did these reviews of this place take place?) and yet they don't do a steak, egg and chips meal and will not fry an egg for you if you ask. Okay maybe if you paid them quite a bit more, they would reluctantly fry you one, said the waitress. And don't forget to check your bill to make sure they don't charge extra for the sauce on your "chicken burger with a sauce of your choice". No, you can't make me go there again. I admit I should just stay at home and eat here because it clearly takes a lot to impress me. Or maybe I have a right to expect tasty food and some flexibility in a restaurant?
Thursday 31 October
Some may call it Halloween, but apart from some orange things I saw for sale in Woolworths yesterday, I haven't seen any signs of Cape Town gearing up for it. I expect Capetonians have better things to do than cut holes in pumpkins and dress up like ghosts. No one's going to treat you if you go to their door, that's for sure. They probably won't even open their door and if they do, you'll be lucky if they don't immediately say: "No I don't have any change, food or old clothes" even while they're dressed sloppily, holding a garlicky pizza slice in one hand and even if you can see, glinting on the coffee table behind them, the R2,35 they were too cheap to tip the pizza delivery guy with, (Seriously though, Capetonians are generally friendlier than that. Aren't they?)
Guess what? I have to finish this issue today since it's the last day of the month. I'm trying to find some other news for you here. Are you interested in hearing more rugby news? No ok I won't go into detail about how WP lost badly to the Lions, "putting them out of their misery" (our captain's words) and the Currie Cup, and how when I went to Newlands to buy tickets for the Pumas game, I got 10% discount on the tickets and also saw Egon Seconds and Quinton Davids hanging around outside over the road from where I was. I looked at them, they looked at me and I decided I was too chicken to go over to them and say "Aren't you supposed to be training after all those losses??" (yeah right). Also saw Marius Joubert on his phone and in a hurry, so I didn't say: "Hello! Are you back from injury now?" Luckily for the home crowd WP won their last home game against the Pumas (albeit controversially) and that the u/19s and u/21s also had great victories on the same field that day. And it was fantastic when Corne returned to the field after being off injured for ages - the response he got was better than when they scored their tries. I saw him say "Wow" to one of the other guys when there was just this explosive noise. Anyway I'm really glad he is the national captain for the internationals in Europe next month. And pleased also that seven others in the squad are also from WP.
And so you want to hear about all the books I've been reading? Not really, right? I'm now on "Lucy Talk" by Fiona Walker, which is good fun so far and it's all in the form of emails, memo's, letters, notes etc.
One morning Thuto, the seven-year-old girl next door, spotted one of the chameleons on the fence between our gardens and it was the first living one she'd ever seen. "There's a chameleon on the gate, I mean fence," she said to me when I walked into the garden. "I knew it was one by how slow he's walking!" Luckily she doesn't torment them as some kids might. Well she doesn't seem to get much garden time. She told Michael sometimes she doesn't have the time to look after the plants in their garden because, for instance, she has to clean her room which is a "disaster" (said in pseudo-American accent). She has however on another occasion told me that I should see how neat her room is. That must have been after an exhausting cleaning spree.
One afternoon she and her nanny locked themselves out of the house (by mistake). They'd brought the wrong keys out with them (the back keys). So Wendy used our stepladder and climbed over our courtyard wall into their courtyard and tried unlocking their back door. There were some failed attempts and she then opened their courtyard door (which is the one that leads to the common property and that can only be opened from inside the courtyard) so that Michael could also have a go with the keys. Eventually (okay it didn't take long) he just tried the back door and it opened (hadn't been locked properly) and Wendy ran through their house to open the front door for them. Thuto was most thankful (her parents were only due back in the evening and I suspect they were probably not told of the incident). A little later she was outside again and told Wendy that it hardly mattered that they'd managed to get back into the house after all since the electricity was off and so there was "nothing to do". "And now you can't watch TV?" Wendy suggested. "Yes and I love TV, and you can tell my mother that." She asked Wendy if she knew why their electricity was off and Wendy said "No, do you?" "Because my daddy forgot to pay for it?" Thuto suggested. Shame and then later Michael heard her ask her father (when he got home) if he knew that the electricity was off. She's really funny and talks non-stop. However I have some more news to share with you so I'll move on.
Tamsyn came to visit me on the first Monday of October (I have the date here, but I didn't want to bog you down with details). She had the day off work and it was great to spend some time with her especially since it was a sunny day and we could sit outside. We talked about some ideas she had about self-employment rather than working for other people. And then we also met at her place two nights later to talk about these things. Shelley joined us and in fact picked me up at home and dropped me off again afterwards so thanks to her and everyone else who does this sort of lift-service thing for me (Verity comes to mind and of course Michael is my full-time chauffeur). I must say I have been very bad at trying to help Tamsyn (and myself, for that matter) in this regard. I suppose although I feel I could make money at proofreading and editing it would be nice to feel excited about doing it. It's like there are too many boring details or aspects of it. I'm sure some of it would be okay though so I haven't written the idea off.
I've also been reading through some of my old finished and unfinished novels. Most of it's quite bad and ridiculous, but at least I can see that. Still, maybe I can pull some ideas from them and get myself to start writing fiction again. Who can tell? :)
Did I mention that Michael's been writing his exams? Incredible. Doing full-time work and studying for five exams too. Luckily most of them are a week apart and the best part is that he has only one left (for the year) now and suspects he's passed all the others. So he's just got Stats next week. Lauren has also just recently started her exams - she has three next week and then a prac the following week, on the day we leave on our trip which I'm really looking forward to (apart from all the money we'll have to spend on petrol).
My mother moved into her new flat on 11 October and she's really happy there. Michael and I should be seeing it and using the guest bedroom at the end of November/beginning of December. She is also coming to Cape Town on (I think) 23 December and will be staying for nearly two weeks.
Wendy started waitressing at the Daily Grind on Monday, 14 October, when the "Coffee House" re-opened in Cavendish. It's on the 1st Floor at the entrance to Stuttafords which is now only on that floor. So please go and tip Wendy - they make great food and you know how difficult I am to please. I forgot to mention that at Pirates the other night I had baby potatoes in garlic butter and I didn't taste any garlic! Anyway go to the Daily Grind if you want to eat in Claremont - breakfast, lunch or dinner. Wendy is still on the lookout for another job (despite being a great waitress) and has at least two other possibilities coming up. And Lauren is looking for some casual work (not waitressing) during the second half of November and the month of December if anyone knows of anything. She needs to make some money for her road trip with Ross, which starts on 31 December, if I remember correctly.
For a week or so I had what was diagnosed as "probably mild bronchitis". It was the second time a doctor told me I didn't have cancer. I don't know if they think I have the look of death on my face when I go to them, but anyway he said I didn't have TB or Lung Cancer or anything, but that if I was worried I could have an x-ray. "You look worried." Anyway I said I would go without the antibiotics and wouldn't bother with the x-ray. "But please phone me if you're still worried or if there's any more blood when you cough". Thanks, Doc. Ah you know, I had some hectic coughing fits and a couple of rough nights as a result and there was some blood, but apparently I probably just ruptured a blood vessel when I was coughing. I figured it might be something like that, but I didn't want to take any risks. So I went to the doctor like they say you must do when you cough up blood. I know you love the graphics, but really I'm being as low-key about this as I possibly can in order to explain why I even bothered going to the doctor when really I didn't even feel that bad. The coughing's disappeared completely now, by the way.
Oh I forgot to mention how Alex is running around these days and his first birthday is coming up on 9 November. Karen's daughter, Caila, is having her 8th birthday on the 8th and she's having a disco for her friends and family in a hall, can you believe it? Karen's organising this whole thing. I spoke to Karen a couple of weeks ago and she said I could gatecrash if I wanted to. Lauren's birthday is on the 7th and since she is writing an exam the next day she's postponed the celebration dinner to that evening (the 8th) so I'm not sure I'll make it to Caila's jol. Speaking of Karen, I promised her I'd put a Personal Ad in this issue for her. She's trying to get rid of her husband, Kevin (preferably by selling him). Kevin was quite keen on being advertised, in fact it was his suggestion that I advertise how good-looking he is, but he didn't realise Karen wanted to make a few bucks out of the deal. ;)
(NB. I reserve the right not to be sued by Karen or Kevin for the above. Really hope they don't kill me since some of it is true!)
Last, but not least, I am going to squeeze some email comments in below:
31 October - Marcelle in Exams Office, UCT:
Just to let you know that I've been enjoying your newsletters. Will send you a decent e-mail after exams. I've got RUDE Caroll as my temp.
Is there a more up to date saying for: "That's like the pot calling the kettle black"? That reminds me, I saw Caroll and chatted to her in the Kenilworth Spar a couple of weeks ago and it turns out she is good friends with the manager. He even smiled at me after Caroll left so she's obviously not rude to people she can get discounts from, Marcelle ;)
25 September - Darlene in Kwazulu-Natal:
BTW, I read the Sept. issue of ur newsletter, & nothing personal, but WP are a bunch of pretty boys! (ok, maybe a lil.) and I'm a proud Sharks supporter.
Best we not let the other readers hear what I had to say about that! ;) Anyway can they help being pretty when they're Capetonians? At least they've managed to win Currie Cups in the last couple of years! ;)
02 October - Kerry in London:
I LOVE the pics of the chameleons! They just look sooooo cute! Your Namaqualand photos are also lovely! That's one place I'd also love to go and see, but I guess you've got to really go the right time of year to see it at its best hey?! But the photos look really nice! That's really cool you got to chat to Breyton Paulse!! I think I would go completely idiotic if I had to meet a real celebrity! I would be totally lost for words! :) YES!!!!!! Sharks won a game! Makes a change! But I'm a bit hurt - you'd "rather die than be a Sharks supporter"?!!! :) I'm deeply offended!!!!! Your World of Birds trip sounded lovely! There's a really nice bird park in Durbs too - Umgeni River Bird Park I think it is. Anyway - I went there about 2 years ago (first time in about 10 years!) and I was really impressed! They've also got a big crow there who talks and generally entertains everyone! They've also got big parrots (macaws really) and they sit on the chairs in the restaurant and nick the food off your plates! Very cheeky but very cute!! :)
Hey, Kerry, you know you can watch the Sharks LIVE in London next year, early Feb? They and the Stormers are going to play a couple of English teams and they will even play a game against each other. Of course I'll be supporting the Stormers (from afar) ;) This is during the run-up to the Super 12.
26 September - Chernise in Johannesburg:
Tks for the newsletter, I really enjoyed reading it. It's quite long, but once I started to read it I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It's great and I think you could make money out of it, just try and market it. As I read your newsletter, I really envied you, going to see the beautiful flowers and taking long drives. You know we just don't have that here in Joburg. Everywhere you look it's just buildings. I really appreciate Cape Town more now than ever. Tks again for the newsletter, can't wait for the next issue.
Thanks, Chernise, I'm sure you're really looking forward to your Cape Town trip, hope to see you then!
26 September - Tanya C in Cape Town:
I'm sorry that I don't often get a chance to email you, but I want to thank you for putting me on your mailing list. I can't wait to read the September edition, will do so when I have a quiet moment. I find your newsletters interesting and fun. When you have a moment could you send me some back issues? Keep up the good work with the newsletters, I hope you are being inspired (everyday) to write ;)
Thanks again, Tanya. I really appreciate the feedback. If anyone wants to read some of the older issues, they can be found at http://www.adt.org.za/news although many others are not on the Web at this time.
26 September - Shelley in Cape Town:
I got your mail, but haven't really read through it in much detail. Looked at all the pics though and the chameleons are really nice.
Haven't taken any more pics, but may borrow my dad's camera at some point and do so. Pity development and printing isn't free! :)
23 October - Sameera in England:
Read your newsletter enjoyed all the nature bits, can't say I am much of a rugby fan.
Well I do try to personalise the rugby a bit rather than talk about the more technical stuff :) But I realise not everyone likes it so I try not to go on about it so much. Looking forward to seeing you back in CT!
Thanks for reading! I may do a very short issue before we leave for our trip on 14 November, but otherwise (and more likely) I'll do an end-of-year one in mid-December. Take care!
Lots of love, Melody