Hi friends,

This is Ronnie, signing in from Ambleside, the Lakes District. I am currently working in a hotel here, and I must once again apologise for not blogging lots. In fact, I'm sure no one reads the Kwashikids' blog anymore becasue we are such bad bloggers. But I am sad to say that the end of the Kwashikids has come. Jeannie has returned to Africa, the mother, the land of plenty. And since she has been earning pounds and will now be home once again, she has no more to fear from the terrifying Kwashiorkor. Steve will be joining her in Grahamstown shortly (I think) and will also be safe from the disease. And me, well, I'm doing ok. They feed me here, so the malnutrition is kept at bay.

The problem with me and blogging at the moment is that I only have limited access to the internet, and this is why there has been an aweful lack of posts on this blog. So for now, I am going to decalre myself resigned from this blog, partially because my other kwashis have left me in the lurch (!) and mostly because I am lazy and bad a blogging regularly. I hate to disappoint. Perhaps some day I will invest in my very own laptop, and I will start up my own blog which will be updated every day! Gasp! Can you imagine!?!

Until then, this is the last remaining kwashikid signing out.
Ciao,
Ronnie

Surprise!

Hello friends, this is Ronnie, signing in from Poland! I know I have been a terrible blogger, but the island life was not condusive to such an activity. I only have a moment now to say hello, and to give a brief update of my activities.

As you must have gathered, I am no longer on the island paradise in Loch Lomond. My job on the island finished on the 25th of Septemebr, and since then I have been galavanting around Scotland, Northern England and now Poland. I had a brief solo adventure to St. Andrews, Dunnottar Castle and Aberdeen, while I waited for Jeannie to finish her job in Glasgow, then the two of us kwasi kids set off on a whiskey tasting adventure to Inverness and surrounds. We visited the Glen Morangie and Glen Mory Distilleries, and we are now experts on the topic of whiskey distillation! The people at the Glen Morangie Distillery were especially lovely and plied us with quantities of whiskey and Crabbies Green Ginger Wine for FREE! Yay! After having a rather meagre (or perhaps non-existant) breakfast, we came away with warm bellies and rosie cheeks!

After our brief but very informative whiskey tour, we headed down to Northumberland, where we went to visit some of Jeannie's family, the Davys of Warton farm. We had a blissfull stay with lots of exercise, good food, and a night out at the local pub of course! Then it was time for Jeannie and I to part ways again, as I headed off to Poland for a new adventure, which is where you find me now. Or rather, it is me that is finding you?!

I am in the city of Wroclaw, visiting my polish friends who I met while working on the island. The Polish are fond drinkers of vodka, and have made sure that I have had the proper polish experience drinking Real Polish Vodka. And I can say withour a doubt, that the vodka is excellent, but I don't remember much more than that! The city is rather weird, and it kind of reminds me of home, but I think the best description of it would be second worldish. The city centre is beautiful, but otherwise there are many many huge apartment blocks all over the city, that look kind of weird and old and forboding. Not so bad once you're inside, although the lifts are very shady! I can't understand a thing, so it is a unique experience, but I am enjoying it a lot! I think the polish vodka aids the understanding of the polish language, but I'm not a hundred percent sure!

Heading back to the UK tomorrow for further travels in Scotland, with Mark, the evil Australian. Another character from Island times. Unfortunately I can't upload pictures today, but I will try to be more organised. Until next time, adios amigos!

R

Carl Bro Challenge: Dublin

A couple of weeks ago I went on a work trip to Dublin. I was very lucky to be included because I couldn’t decide whether or not I was going until the last week. It was mainly a concern of money that was keeping me in Glasgow – but it was definitely money well spent!!! I would have paid that money to have that experience with those great people, no matter how financially insecure my future is, all over again!

I’m not sure what to say except that we had such fun! Lots of laughter, drinking, dancing and gymnastics.

On the Friday we went to The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Dublin where we were fed Irish Stew and Beer. I am ashamed to say that I didn’t have any Guinness, shame on me I know. What fun, apart from Jeff trying to get himself run over on the way home.

Saturday was football day. Everyone was tired and hung over, but hats ff to the boys, they still managed to play five games of football. They even won a match or two!!!

Viki and I entertained ourselves by doing gymnastics and creating an obstacle course. This involved doing tumble-over-your-wulkies. For those of you that have no idea what I’m talking about this is the Scottish playground name for doing a forward roll over a monkey bar. The next thing was to do the windy-run (as in twist, not a gale) while being careful not to get attacked by the trees. The second run was the “knees up” run, still keeping an eye on those sneaky trees. The final part involved doing cartwheels back to the side of the football pitch. And yes, we were asked how old we were when were caught in the act.

That night we went off to a club for curry, a free bar and dancing. It was great until they let the general public into the bar. Not that there is anything wrong with the general public, it just made the DJ think he could play the same music over and over and, due to the influx of people, no one would notice.

A tip for any men intending to go to Dublin in a Kilt: The men were swamped with Irish Lasses trying to get their hands up their kilts. If this appeals to you give it a try, if it doesn’t, under no circumstances should you go out in a Kilt!

On Sunday I met up with Jenny, my friend from school. She took me out for a walk in the grounds of a castle. It was lovely to see her again.

Dublin is great!

The Glasgow Girls

Viki, Me and Wullie's head

Jo-Anne and I in our Silly Hats

Viki, Me and Esther.

Who could those scary-looking women be?

Chris and his mum - Jo-Anne

Kathryn, Jo-Anne, Gary and Me

Supporters

Esther, Wullie, Viki
Viki and I

Ben Cruachin

Roddy comes to Glasgow:

This last weekend my Dad came to stay. He arrived on Saturday afternoon and we had a typical evening’s entertainment of Curry, a walk in the Kelvingrove Park, and pudding on Byres Road.

On Sunday we drove out to Glen Orchy where we climbed up Ben Cruachan. It was a beautiful and challenging walk – so nice to be in the Highlands. I find it interesting how one always manages to fall over at the easiest part. We were about finished when I took a tumble in the bracken…

On the trip home we found a surprisingly nice chip shop where we were treated to Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas and had a most unusual sighting – an old motorcycle with a side car, and if this wasn’t unusual enough the passenger was a border collie!

Three more weeks to go, and then we leave Scotland and return South to visit our respective families and go on a backpacking trip of Europe. This weekend I’m off to Dublin for the Carl Bro challenge. A football tournament for all of the offices of the company I work for. Teams from Sweden, Denmark, Poland, England, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands will compete and we supporters will have a great time fostering team spirit. We all know that the only contest the Glasgow office could win is a drinking contest but they assure us they’ll try their best!

Pictures from Sweden

Dad and Steve in Gothenburg

A Traditional West Coast Swedish Meal (and my arms...)

Nicolas, Me, Steve and Dad at the formidable Balder

Dad and I on N. Koster

Jeannie & Steve’s Trip to Sweden 25/08 – 28/08

It was amazing and Roddy/Dad was very generous…

We arrived at a rather ramshackle airport outside Gothenburg – more what you’d expect in central Africa than Scandinavia, but I suppose even the most efficient countries need to fix and build things at some stage and this is just what they were doing.

We entered into a shed, went through a door and entered the space where our luggage would be brought in on a trailer. Very makeshift, but we noted that all of the necessary health and safety precautions were present. The bus took us into Gothenburg where we met up with Dad who proceeded to show us around the shops in the city centre. After scouring the sales and drinking the first cup of strong Swedish coffee of the day we met up with Madeline and Robert for, no surprises here, more coffee.

We went to Per’s for dinner. He treated us to a full West Coast Swedish supper with Herring, Mackerel, Salmon, Caviar, Dill potatoes, Knäckebrod and dips. The indulgence was rife as we had brought Malt and Dad had bought chocolates in Gothenburg – the Chilli coated chocolates were definitely the highlight!

The next morning the three of us got ourselves to the bus feeling a little groggy – which we treated with Coke, Cinanamon Buns – everyone needs to have one of these! and Europe’s biggest wooden rollercoaster. A most pleasing hangover cure!

Robert and Madeline took us through Gothenburg to Liseberg (the big amusement park). We went straight for top and cued up for Balder. It was frighteningly fun, I loved it!

To settle our nerves (Madeline’s incurred from the Ferris wheel, not Balder) we went to a Turkish restaurant for lunch –YUM again, so much good food!

On Sunday we took the bus to Strömstad where we received the most unconventional warning by the lady selling ice cream – apparently one needs to beware of the Sea Gulls – a very fierce adversary. We took the ferry through the archipelago to North Koster where we went for a delightful walk and swim in the sea. Steve and my first swim since January! We found a deserted inlet, free of sea weed and jellyfish and just had to get in.

Sweden is a lovely clean peaceful place with friendly, attractive people. We look forward to returning in October for Dad’s installation.

George's Daughter Nellie

The Farm From Simonside

George, Camilla, Nellie and Dylan

Hazel Dennis

Hugh Dennis

Marjorie and Hazel

Helen and her friend Hugh

Hello Friendly Friends - This is Jeannie Speaking...

I have been a very slack blog and email writer of late – my apologies!

I am very well – have had a great month.

On the first weekend of the month I went down to Warton – the family farm, where I met up with Helen. How nice it was to have a sister again! Many family members arrived at the farm for lunch – poor Aunty Jeannie was catering for 28. My cousin’s children are lovely!

It was a beautiful day, we ate outside - and were even forced to retreat from the sun. It was very special to see all of my cousins and their children. A very rare occasion for me considering that I usually live on the other side of the world to these people. On the sunday the troops abandoned us so we had a peaceful time, just Aunty Jeannie, Helen and I. We went walking and I had a nap in the sun.

The following weekend Helen came to stay at the beautiful flat in Glasgow. The first night saw us heading off to Mother India – mmm curry!

On the second day I sent her off to climb Ben Arthur. Armed with maps, directions, notes, lunch – I was very concerned when I discovered that I hadn’t given her any suncream, but was relieved when I saw her face cream was SPF 15 – my goodness what a worrier! I really am going to be a very annoying mother (I just realized that that could have been taken to mean that I am in fact going to be a mother – no need for panic and gossip, it is not an imminent prospect!).

On Friday I took a day off work and we headed to the shops. You should all be very impressed at my restraint. Between us we tried on the whole shop and only came away with one purchase. Not mine I might add!

On Saturday we took a trip to Glen Coe – despite the mist and drizzle it was a really lovely day out. It really is quite a spectacular place. Very open, and unpopulated. Wild even. We went on a woodland walk, invented by a ranger as we could not go up into the mountains due to the mist.

Sunday was a quiet day. We went to Chai Ovna for lunch and then visited the Kelvingrove Museum.

The following weekend I worked so there is nothing interesting to tell on that front. Last weekend I went to a house party – my first outside of SA – I don’t think they vary much no matter where you go.

This weekend we are off to Sweden – excitement… More news on that will follow shortly!

Greetings friends! This is Ronnie, reporting from the island!

I must say that I am quite enjoying life on the island. It is very relaxed and laid back, as one would expect island life to be. The Scotts, who own the island and the hotel are lovely people, and I am also working and living with some very interesting folk of a variety of nationalities. Since my last post, all the people I was living with have left, so I must introduce you to my new housemates. But first, an update. The shady little house I am living in is still very shady. It is called ‘the Birdcage’ by islanders and ‘the Shoebox’ by its inhabitants. There are currently six people living in the Shoebox, and it is disturbingly like Big Brother. The Chef is still there, but I told you about him before. Rachael, the other South African, had a fight with the chef and left shortly after I arrived. Konrad, the Polish man, finished working on the island and also left. Konrad has subsequently been replaced by two Polish men, Patryk and Kris, who are both friendly and can speak good English. Yay! They have been very obliging and have taught the rest of us as many Polish swear words as possible. My Polish improves daily. Patryk is an excellent guitarist and Kris bought a play station with him, so there is entertainment all round. Yay for Polish men!

There is also an Australian barman called Mark, who is also a musician who sings and dances and provides a great deal of comic relief. He has introduced me to fine gin, and a new favourite drink is a gin and tonic made with Hendricks Gin. An unusual drink with a slice of cucumber instead of lime!

Finally, Rachael’s substitute is an American girl from Los Angeles, California. Her name is Victoria, and her previous occupation was ‘professional dominatrix’. An interesting character indeed. She goes on peculiar adventures whenever we get a day off and so far she has tried to swim across the Loch in all her clothes while inebriated, been arrested and detained for the night because she was inebriated, and taken a bottle of whiskey in with her for her morning bath. She then came to work drunk, and after a few hours went and passed out in the Shoebox and left me to do the lunch shift by myself. Interesting indeed.

I have not got much news of exciting adventures, except for those of Victoria, the crazy American. I have a few photos of fun times on the island, which mostly involve the consumption of vodka. The Polish men insist on it.

Adios Amigos,
Ronnie

Mark the Evil Auastralian, Partyk the Chocolate Polish and Victoria the Crazy American. These are my new island friends. Unfortunately do not yet have a picture of Kris, the other Polish man.

Ben Lomond at about midnight

Full moon refelcting on the Loch

Jeannie at work - incase you thought that all we did was galabant around in the sunshine...

she's up to nonsense at work as well!

The office stationary craft corner.

I work with some fantastically quirky people. Joanne, Viki and I decided that we should make creatures out of office stationary when we are bored and waiting for the PDFing to take place. Here are the results:

Joanne's pet rock - 'Rocky'

Made with a cylinder of concrete (not strictly office statioanry but found on site so definately work-related), post-its, bin liner, CD label stickers. Colour provided by pencil.

My Spider:

made from ring binders, sellotape, CD label stickers, loo roll, bin liner: colour added with my pen!

Viki's bee:

made from an eraser, post-its, paper clips and an elastic band - colour provided by highlighters and pens.

Here we are on the Isle of Bute: 16th July 2006

Just incase you forgot where we were...

Steve on the Ferry!

Jeannie in a field, on the path - obvious isn't it!

Jeannie: Full bellies and a cycling trip on foot…

Last weekend Steve and I had a merry time. On Friday night we went out for supper at Mother India – a fabulous Indian Restaurant just west of the city centre. We shared a starter of Fish Pakora, Poppadoms and spiced onions and a main of a Lamb and Okra (lady fingers) curry with naan and rice. Lady Fingers are a delightful vegetable, full of flavour! It was a beautiful evening so after our supper we went for a walk in the Kelvingrove Park and took a stroll down the Byres Road where we found a deli café with the creamiest cappuccinos and dark chocolate with roasted hazelnuts.

On Sunday we needed to do something about the rich food in our bellies (we are meant to be kwashikids after all!) so we took a ferry across to Bute with the intention of cycling around the small island. The internet had us fooled into thinking that this was possible, but alas there were no bikes to be found. At this point we discovered the west island way (not to be confused with the five times longer west highland way – something I might be doing part of in a couple of weeks time). Steve and I joined the west-island-way at Rothesay school and went along the ‘path’ (reminiscent of a South African path - not up to EU standards, needless to say we got last a few times!) until we found a convenient place to turn off to go and have a look at the Mount Stuart house. Mount Stuart belongs to the Stuart family, direct descendants of Robert the Bruce. They were British royalty in the Stuart dynasty, related to the Windsors - one of the Marquises (not too sure of the plural) was the first Scottish prime minister… all in all they are very rich! At the time Mount Stuart was completed and the interior was made as it is now they were the richest family in Europe. This place is quite a spectacle! Completely opulent and over the top, but beautiful as well. Just a little too many styles at once for my liking. The grounds are the best though – you will have seen/find pictures in the entry from our first visit to Bute in May.

We wearily made our way back to Rothesay along the farm roads. It really was a beautiful walk and day out. No disappointment about the bikes in the end.