Adventures of the Kwashi Kids

2006-12-01T14:24:00.000+01:00

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

2006-10-11T11:25:00.000+01:00

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

2006-09-27T14:45:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-09-27T13:41:00.000+01:00

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

2006-09-27T13:14:00.000+01:00

Ben Cruachin

2006-09-27T13:13:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-09-27T13:04:00.000+01:00

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

2006-09-27T09:16:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-09-21T12:56:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-23T16:57:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-08-02T16:07:00.000+01:00

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

2006-07-20T14:02:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-07-20T13:54:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-07-20T13:28:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-07-11T13:50:00.000+01:00

11th July - Jeannie...

It has been an absolute age since I last published a post - sorry! Steve and I have been doing many things - mainly working but having a nice time as well!

Three weeks ago I went down to Northampton to visit some family. It was great to get away from the city and be in a home again. Also, the south is warmer - I know I should know this already but was struck by how mild it was when I got off the train in the middle of the night.

It was largely a sleepless weekend, but incredibly enjoyable! On the Saturday I took Ellie and Matthew to the park. We played football, went to the 'seaside' and made some new friends. Three year olds are very friendly! That afternoon we went walking. It was very beautiful, very English. We all got stung by stinging nettles - I had forgotten just how vicious they are - the boys were valieantly beating them with sticks to punish them for hurting us.

Saturday evening we had a barbeque - now I insist on calling it this because it really isn't the same thing as a South African Braai in many ways:

1. The meat consists of sausages and burgers.
2. It is not done in a big, rusted upside down drum or a hole in the ground - certainly no flames were seen.
3. No one took their shirt of.
4. There was no smelly wood smoke.
5. There was actually next to no smoke at all.
6. No one was drinking Klippies and Coke or castle.
7. There wasn't a Dog trying to steal escapee meat from the fire.
8. No flies.

All this said - it was very nice. We ate outside - my first time in AGES! It was warm - again, a first in AGES!

On Sunday we went out to a beautiful reservoir for a bike ride. Apart from the chariot Matthew was riding in losing a wheel in a very Ben Herr style, it went without complications. It was so beautiful. The English are a very nationalistic lot. They were still in the world cup at this stage. Four out of every five people we passed were wearing some kind of England supporter outfit. Quite a contrast to Scotland - no England supporters what so ever, or if there are any around, I'm sure they are in hiding...

That afternoon was England's match against Ecuador. I watched the first half with the Foxes and then went to catch my train, I did not miss the score though for as England scored the station master announced it over the PA system! People here really do care a lot about football. Got Back to Glasgow very tired, but happy at midnight and went to sleep.

The following weekend was the Glasgow International Jazz Festival. Clare came through to stay with us and went to a gig with Steve. On Friday night I went to my Office barbeque - again sausages and burgers, no smoke, no dogs, no flies...

After the barbeque we went out to a club called 'The Buff Club'. Great fun. Nice soul, funk and jazz music. I have been having such a good time getting to know Viki and Joanne from work. I havn't laughed this much in a age! They are such fun. We laugh, we do gymnastics in secret in the office and we make creatures out of office stationary.

After the night out Clare took Steve and I out for breakfast at Cafe Gandolfi. Delicious! Sunday night I went to a gig with Steve. Chris Botti - very skilled musicians and good show men. Afterwards we went out for supper - very civilised!

Other than that nothing much has happened apart from our office ceiling caving in and a minor flood at work. I'll get some pictures soon.

2006-07-11T13:49:00.000+01:00

Jeannie's Trip to visit the Northampton Foxes 25th June 2006

Rich and Matthew in the Chariot
Nick cycling next to the reservoir
Angela, Ellie and Matthew walking in Northants field
Matthew the England Supporter
Jeannie on a Bike...

2006-06-20T13:46:00.000+01:00

The Island Life

This is Ronnie signing in for her first post away from the other Kwashikids. Its Tuesday and today is my day off! I finally have a job! Hurray! I am working in InchMurrin hotel, which is on InchMurrin Island in the middle of Loch Lomond. The island is the biggest island in Loch Lomond, but is still very small. The hotel is also very small (just a wee hotel) and I think my first week has been extremely quiet, so I haven't been working very hard. It seems that there are a few weddings coming up though so I will be kept busy and out of mischief. I have been waitressing mostly, but also doing housekeeping and being a KP some of the time, which sucks because no one likes washing dishes!

I am living in a rather shady little house with three other people. Rachael is my roommate. She is also South African and is from Durban. She is lovely and we have been having fat chats about home. Conrad is a Polish man who works mostly on the farm, but is the KP on the weekends when the kitchen gets busier. Then there is David the chef, who is Scottish and has been working in the hotel for 25 years. He keeps to himself and I'm not sure that he likes us all that much. Apparently there is a new barman arriving tomorrow, so we will have more company. Rumour has is that he is Australian.

That is all the news I can think of for now. This is Ronnie signing out. Ciao.

Me, Conrad and Rachael - I love an happy friend!

View of Loch Lomond from InchMurrin Hotel

On the way to InchMurrin Island. The island is the one just to the right of my head.

2006-06-14T11:15:00.000+01:00

As you can see, this penguin means business. He is a picture in Ronnie's travel journal. The journal gives you some useful tips of how to get by in the world. The first one is: Always smile at the Penguin. It turns out, the penguin live outside our flat...

Here he is. He lives in the playground of the school just accross the road from our flat. Do you see his enigmatic smile? I wonder why they would put such a dangerous penguin in a children's playground. We've been keeping an eye on him. We also always smile at him. You just never know with penguins.

_____________________

The kwashikids part ways

Yes friends, it is sad but true. Ronnie has finally found a job, but it is on an island in the middle of Loch Lomond, so she will be leaving Glasgow. Jeannie and Steve are staying behind to keep an eye on the penguin and to live in the beautiful flat. This does not mean the end of the kwashikids blog. Each kwashikid will be entering their own adventures, which will be most exciting for everyone involved! We'll just sign our names at the end of each post so that you know who is writing what. Does that sound like a plan, or what?

2006-06-09T13:02:00.000+01:00

This past week end we had a visit from Jeannie’s mum! Kate arrived on Thursday, so she and Ronnie entertained themselves on Friday while the other went to work. They went to visit Pollok Park, a stately home and estate, where the Burrell Collection is Housed. Very beautiful and interesting indeed. On Friday night Kate contributed to the Kwashis’ quest to fend off Kwashiorkor by taking them out for supper to an excellent Indian Restaurant. Donald was there too and we had a chance to catch up.

On Saturday we hired a car and drove out past Loch Lomond to Loch Long, which is just next door. It was our mission to hike up a mountain called The Cobbler (a.k.a. Ben Arthur). We had a picnic lunch at the bottom and then began the hike up the mountain. It was a spectacular climb with a scramble up the peak and the views from the top were breathtaking! Ben and Loch Lomond lay to one side and on the other side we could see all the way down to the sea and the Isles of Bute and Arran! We ate some chocolate and felt very pleased with ourselves. The hike down was quicker and when we got to the bottom it was time for supper! So we bought ourselves some fish and chips (the best we’ve had so far) and sat in the sunshine overlooking Loch Long as we munch our well deserved dinner!

Ronnie sitting on a beautifully carved bench in Pollok Park. Can you see the otter?

Jeannie and Kate on the way up the mountain. That is not The Cobbler Peak in the background, That is the other mountain. The Cobbler peak is much more peaky and rock like.

Ronnie, Kate, Steve and Jeannie almost at the top of The Cobbler. Ben Lomond in the background.

The pointy mountain is Ben Lomond. The bit of water just below it is Loch Lomond. Truly spectacular!

Jeannie, Kate and Steve at the top of The Cobbler. View down to the sea and isles.

The Kwashi Kids, conquerors of The Cobbler!

2006-06-09T11:52:00.000+01:00

At some stage during these past weeks, Jeannie and Ronnie joined a choir called Voicebeat. At our first practice they were singing some African songs, and had bungled the pronunciation – fezulu instead of phezulu! Here we met our German friends, Mandy and Daniela, who invited us on a trip to the Isle of Bute with a bunch of other foreigners. We graciously accepted the invitation and the morning of Sunday the 28th of May saw us at Glasgow central station, bright, early and ready for an adventure! We got a rail and sail ticket out to the island (i.e. we caught the train and then the ferry) where we went to visit the ruins of Rothesay Castle, which unlike the Dumbarton wannabe was very castle-like indeed. There was even a dungeon! After this we went on a tour of the island in a topless bus. The weather was good, by Scottish Standards, but we still got very cold. Reminiscent of the drive with Donald in the convertible! Bute was very beautiful indeed and we also made a trip to Mount Stuat – a stately home with extensive grounds! Mandy somehow managed to score us a free bus ride out to Mount Stuart; we think it had something to do with batting eyelashes and blond hair! The grounds at Mount Stuart went right down to the beach, and as we arrived at said beach the sun came out, so we decided that a bit of lounging was in order. Frank the German man even made like the natives and took his shirt off! Random!

On the ferry to Bute. From left: Vicky (New Zealand), Jeannie, Mandy (Germany), Ronnie, Marco (Switzerland), Frank (Germany), Steve and Houda (Tunisia)

From left: Marco, Ronnie and Mandy on the open topped bus!

Jeannie and Steve with a lovely view of Bute in the Background

A view of the Isle of Arran through the gorse bushes. The gorse smells like cocobutter suntan lotion, its quite lovely in a bizarre way. Those mountains are Arran. We have plan to go and climb them at some stage!

2006-06-08T14:45:00.000+01:00

The following weekend involved even more excitement, of the African and Scottish variety. On the Friday night, we went to watch Lady Smith Black Mambazo and the Mahotella Queens. Truly wonderful music that made the poor old kwashis very home sick – Jeannie even had a little cry (Ag shame!). On Saturday, Clare took us on another outing, this time to see a quilt show, which was in the Dumbarton/Loch Lomond Area. We got to see the Dumbarton Castle (which was more like a house and less like a castle) and discovered that they were holding the National Pipe Band Championships in Dumbarton that very day! Excitement! The quilts were soon forgotten, and we ventured out in the rain to see the pipers. There were millions of them blowing their bagpipes all over the place. We got to watch some of the really good bands who were brilliant, and Steve and Ronnie decided that they would have to go to the Pipe Band World Championships, which are being held later in the year! Eventually we had to leave the pipe band to move on to Loch Lomond to see some more quilts. The weather was awful and the clouds were really low, but we finally got to see Loch Lomond! Hurrah!

Ronnie on the rainy shores of Loch Lomond

The Pipers at the National Pipe Band Championships. Could that be a MacGregor tartan?!

2006-06-07T12:55:00.000+01:00

The Update has Arrived

Finally we have got our act together and managed to download the long awaited photos! They span back quite a few weeks, so we’ll have to fill you in on the details of our activities…

We have to stretch our memories back all the way to the weekend of the 12th of May! Although that was so long ago, we’re not quite sure of all our activities. But the photo evidence shows that Clare took us on an outing! Yay for Clare! This time we went down to the seaside town of Irvine (which is much more beautiful than Saltycracks). We went to watch “The Crucible”, because Clare had been involved in doing the music for the play. The play was excellent and we were enriched, culturally. Then we got some fish and chips, which were also excellent, and our bellies were enriched, nutritionally. Ha ha! We also went down to the beach briefly, where Jeannie and Ronnie couldn’t resist doing a few handstands. Steve got hold of the camera and we had a mini photo shoot. Clare thought we were crackers. These pics are the result.

The Handstand Fiends! Look at how good we're getting, synchronised and everything!

Jeannie and Steve at Irvine

2006-06-06T15:33:00.000+01:00

An Unusual Incident
Ronnie’s account of The Machete Man

I was on my way to the post office. This was quite an innocent thing to do on a Tuesday afternoon (in my opinion). As I left the safety of our complex, I heard some yelling and shouting just down the street. I couldn’t help but notice that running down the street towards me was a man with a machete. He was sprinting, with quite a mean look on his face and a fierce gleam in his eye. A car drove past me and stopped at the intersection just outside our block of flats. The machete man sprinted up to the driver’s side of the car and started slashing at the window with the machete. At which point I put my head down and started walking away as quick as my short little hobbit legs would carry me.

I was quite worried about the driver, because the window was slightly open, and the Machete Man was really hacking at the window with the machete. As I passed the car, the passenger door opened and a woman got out holding a cup of coffee. I thought to myself, ‘Lady! What are you doing?! Don’t get out of the car; the machete man will get you! He’s the one with the machete!’ But lo and behold, in the hand that held no coffee was a wheel spanner! She yelled some profanities at the machete man, who gapped it. Wheel spanner woman chased him down the road and chucked her coffee at him, but I think he was too nimble and managed to dodge it. Still being chased, he and the wheel spanner woman exchanged profanities. I could still hear them as I rounded the corner and made my escape. It was quite funny, but I won’t lie, I was a little frightened as I made my escape. I couldn’t help but think, ‘I’ve never seen anything like that in South Africa, and we’re the ones who are supposed to have the road rage problem!’

- Ronnie

2006-05-30T16:20:00.000+01:00

Hello friendly friends! It has been a shockingly long time since we last posted on our dear old blog, and we apologise profusely for our slackness! We do, however, have a very good excuse. We have had technical difficulties, in that the cable for Jeannie's lap-top went bust, and there are none available in Glasgow. This place is worse than Africa! We searched high and low but none were to be found. Actually, I lie, we did find one, but it cose £99 and we were NOT going to pay that much for a lousy cable. Even our shady Turkish friends from the internet shop down the road were unable to help us. We are currently waiting for one of these rare cables to arrive. So, we have been unable to download photos and write posts.

But never fear, we should be getting back into gear soon, and we will be able to update you on all our exicing activites. These include the National Pipe Band Championships, a Ceileigh, and a visit to the Isle of Bute (which is indeed beautiful!). You should see the photos! Posts will be up soon, watch this space...

2006-05-09T18:13:00.000+01:00

Introducing… Percival MacDuff

This smouse, small in stature but large in character, entered our lives one Thursday evening while walking in the park. Hard at work, pilfering Daffodills, Ronnie spotted this rather grubby creature and instantly recognised the smouse in need! She took him home, much to Jeannie and Steve’s disgust, and gave him a bath, some love and a bed (the Lufthansa pillow). And thus Percival MacDuff (AKA Percy), the Scottish smouse, became a part of our lives.

IMPORTANT FEATURE: when you pull his poep-string he vibrates!

2006-05-09T18:10:00.000+01:00

Dirty Percy (his state upon discovery)

Clean Percy!

2006-05-09T18:09:00.000+01:00

Luke comes to Visit

The weeks have become rather mundane, with Steve sorting mail and Jeannie and Ronnie seeking employment. But this doesn’t put a dampener on our weekends where fun times are had - especially when Luke, Tim and Cathy come to visit.

Friday night saw a quiet night in while the Kwashis preserved their energy and finances for the arrival of their guest, Luke Brown. Luke arrived bright and early on Saturday morning, and brought with him some more nice weather. We met up with Clare in the West End to go to the Play, Pie and a Pint (P,P & P) at Oran Mor (an old church). What a novel experience to sit in rows with a pie and a pint in front of you and watch a play. The pints were good, the pies delicious and the play rather odd, but good none the less. After this we were taken to a traditional Italian ice cream parlour – YUM YUM! Clare is full of good ideas, after taking us to the P, P & P and the ice cream she drove us out of the city to some hills with a waterfall. By this time the weather had turned icy, but lo and behold, there were half naked natives plunging into the waterfall from insane heights (we have yet to comprehend the ways of the native)!

We decided that having Luke in the area was a good excuse to have a house warming dinner party, to which Clare and Dan were invited. They brought with them gifts of wine, glasses and literature – Hooray! A feast was prepared and a good time was had by all.

Sunday was Saltycracks day (not of the biscuit variety!). We were not in the mood for an expedition but decided to go on one anyway. It was raining and miserable, and the bus to Loch Lomand was no where to be seen, when Luke valiantly proclaimed – “Lets go to the sea and have a pint”. So we did.

We randomly selected a sea side town off the map, bought tickets, and sprinted to catch the train in an Amazing Race-like fashion. The town we selected is called Saltcoats, which soon became Saltycracks, and was a peculiar place to say the least. The beer was good and the locals were friendly – after initially suspecting us of being Mormons?! It was an afternoon full of laughter. On our arrival back in Glasgow Dan and Clare whisked us off to more pubs with live music. Fun times!

Monday morning saw Steve back at work (shame), and the other three off to Edinburgh for the day. It was beautiful, but very touristy – we even bumped into William Wallace…

Ronnie, Jeannie and Luke returned to find Tim, Cathy and Steve at the flat. They had come up from London with the remainder of Steve and Jeannie’s worldly possessions. We all went out for a scrumptious Scottish meal of haggis, rumbledethumps, champit tatties, stovies and bashed neeps. Haggis is a treat, don’t listen to the masses, they don’t know what they’re missing!

2006-05-09T17:44:00.000+01:00

A Play, A Pie and A Pint

The hills and daffodills at the waterfall

Kwashikids at the Saltycracks Sea

Percy is keen on pints too!

Percy in Saltycracks

Ronnie, a tenement and the blossoms

Jeannie and Ronnie and a view of the Scott Monument

Jeannie and miscellaneous church

William Wallace in the flesh

Stained glass reflections at St. Giles Cathedral

Walter Scott Monument

Luke and Jeannie in a Park

View of Edinburgh

Jeannie, Ronnie and Luke in an Edinburgh Park

2006-05-03T09:54:00.000+01:00

I spy with my little eye...

Something beginning with M! The item in all photos of the flat was good old fashioned MARMITE! The first person to email us the correct answer was Jenny Wakely! Hurrah! We shall think of you next time we go to the pound shop. Well done to Frances Hall, Roddy Fox, Richard Hartnack and Cathy Irwin for also spotting the marmite. Yay for all of you! We shall think of more interactive things to publish on the blog.

2006-05-02T11:20:00.000+01:00

Four Fun Filled Days!

We, the Kwashikids, have spent a delightful weekend doing fun things! We have discovered the cure to all ailments of a psychological nature: go to the park and do a handstand!

Thursday saw us treating ourselves to a little bit of live music. The Scottish Symphony Orchestra held an afternoon concert that was broadcast live on BBC 3 radio, and we went to watch it. They played Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, and Sebalius’ Second Symphony. Bellissimo!

Steve went to work on Friday, so Jeannie and Ronnie were left to their own devices. Jeannie had an interview with a recruitment agency and got a 3 day job. So now only Ronnie remains unemployed. This fact put her in a foul mood, which Jeannie had to bear with until they reached the sanctuary of Alexandra Park (the park just down the road from our house). It was blissful, and quite a big park too, with a wee golf course in the middle of it. The sun was shining and the world was a happy place. We removed our shoes and stripped down to our t-shirts, and felt like locals! Quite exposed actually. We also nicked some daffodils, which now adorn our dining table and bring joy into our flatlet! YAY! Friday evening saw Ronnie going to a trail shift at a restaurant in the West End. There she discovered how much waitressing sucks, and is still unemployed.

Saturday’s weather was as amazing as Friday’s, even better in fact. Clare Hewitt took us out for an adventure in the West End, which is really quite trendy. It was meant to be a Play, a Pie and a Pint, but it turned into Fairies Blood, Falafel and Fun times! The play-pie-pint was sold out, so Clare took us to a lovely little tea place called Chai Ovna. Organic vegetarian food and about 80 different teas! We had yogi chai tea and fairies’ blood tea, of which the fairies’ blood was the resounding favourite. We ate delicious food and were very successful at fending off kwashiorkor, our never-ending quest.

Then Clare showed us a jewel of a place that we probably never would have found on our own. Thistle Book Shop: a second hand bookshop with lots and lots of sheet music! Hurrah! Steve found the whole of Bartok’s Microcosmos (thanks Phil) and now plans to become a proficient pianist. Jeannie and Ronnie found a book of madrigals by Thomas Morely for two and three voices. So we will be singing away very soon!

Sunday found us on another adventure, but of an entirely different sort. Our friend, Donald, took us out to the Trossachs for an afternoon of walking (beautiful!). We had a splendid time, especially after the walk, when Donald put the top of the car down (yes, it was a convertible) and we zoomed along the winding Scottish roads, shrieking with laughter and freezing our bums off! By the way, the weather was not half as good as Saturday! We stopped off at a pub on our way back to drink some well deserved 80/- Caledonian Ale. Treats all round.

2006-05-02T10:11:00.000+01:00

Ronnie in George Sqaure, Glasgow city centre

Glasgow University

Natives playing their national sport on the wee golf course

Playing in the park

Chilling in Alexandra Park

The cure to all psychological ailments!

Jeannie with the about-to-be-stolen daffodills

Steve, Jeannie and Clare at lunch

We went for a walk after lunch and spotted some local getting some sun, hee hee!

Jeannie and Steve in park.

This is a papparatzi photo because Ronnie snuck up on them while they were not looking. Typlical journalist.

Ronnie looking like a grouch.

(she actually had her mouth full of sandwich)

Steve actively fending off Kwashiorkor while hiking, Ronnie and Donald.

Check out that view!

The view of Scottiedogland from the Trossachs

Donald and Steve having a break in the Trossachs

Windswept Jeannie and Ronnie in the back seat

Steve's head and the view from the convertible

Jeannie's head and the horse

2006-04-27T17:11:00.000+01:00

Our House, at the end of Golfhill Drive...

We’ve moved into the Beautiful flat! Hurray! It is perfect apart from the hairy carpet. We were suspicious of the carpet right from the start, but now that we’ve moved in, we’ve realised that it has a life of its own. And seeing that summer is around the corner, it is malting its winter coat. Fluff everywhere. Jeannie found some fluff in her toast. Steve found some fluff in his soup. Jeannie found some fluff just beneath Ronnie’s nose.

Finding that our flat needed a few general household goods, we went shopping for them in downtown Glasgow. Being Kwashi Kids and always on the lookout for a bargain, we bypassed all the trendy consumer havens, and entered the “Savoy Centre”…

Jackpot! Everything for a pound! Frying pan, toilet brush, speaking teddy bears, curtain tassels, you name it! We did not, of course, buy all the aforementioned items, even though Jeannie was especially tempted by a toilet seat. It was a mini oriental plaza, and we managed to do all our household shopping at minimal cost! Ronnie, seeking decoration for her room, found a particularly kitschy painting of Jesus. Steve would not let have her it.

After the shopping spree, the Kwashi Kids were seen walking back to Dennistoun with an ironing board, two dustbins and an iron. Not forgetting the luminous pink dustpan and brush. Steve looked quite surfer-esque with that ironing board tucked under his arm…

Jeannie and Ronnie still have no jobs. Steve is feeling self satisfied, so they relegated him to the housework. See pics.

P.S. There is one item common to all the photos. Surprise treat from the one pound shop for the first Kwashi friend to spot it!

The throne!

Ronnie in her little room

Jeannie reclining in her and Steve's room

The Lounge, dining area and Steve doing house work.

The Kitchen

The breakfast nook in our kitchen

Steve doing the ironing with our new iron and board!

2006-04-25T13:14:00.000+01:00

Birthday breakfast. Jeannie made french toast!

Just chillin'

Bergies napping on the park bench

Kwashis at Victoria Park

No. 36 Clarence Drive - Temporary Abode

2006-04-25T12:59:00.000+01:00

Ronnie's Birthday & Moving-In Day!

Since our last posting we have been finding jobs and having fun, actively fending off the Kwashiorkor with picnics, pizza, roast lamb and single malt whiskey!

Last night we held a dinner party for our host. Being our last night with Donald and Ronnie's impending birthday it turned into quite a celebration. The scrumptiousness included an invented Moroccan-style chicken dish, with couscous and a salad. Delicious S.A wine (Excelsior - yay Norah-Anne!), Lindor balls and lots of single malt whiskey of different varieties. Donald allowed us to taste three different quality single malts from his collection - Hooray for Donald! p.s don't order scotch on the rocks in Scotland, it is frowned upon.

Steve has a job, Ronnie and Jeannie have applied vigorously and wait in hope and anticipation! We are all very exited to move into our new Beautiful house this evening, which means we are in the process of the increasingly difficult task of packing (the heavy bags seem to have shrunk!).

Off to find some tea and birthday cake.

2006-04-25T12:52:00.000+01:00

Kwashi Kids do London Town

2006-04-22T18:21:00.000+01:00

The arrival of Ronnie at Walton-on-Thames

Steve, Ron, Tulips, Tower

Tulips

Tower Bridge

Pre-kwashi Jeannie and Ronnie at the Tower

Big Ben sees the sun

Ronda at Westminster Cathedral

Big Ben and Westminster

Ronnie and Steve in St. James' Park

Buckingham Palace and the joys of spring!

Departure from Kings Cross, London

before the Kids were Kwashi

How the Kwashi Kids got their name

2006-04-22T17:39:00.000+01:00

Once upon a Tuesday morning three well-fed South Africans with misbehaving luggage sallied forth from no. 8 Broadwater Place, London. They dragged their wheelie bags on a twenty minute walk to the train station, where they were to depart for their ultimate destination, Glasgow, Scotland.

On the train journey, the South Africans became progressively more excited the further north they travelled. The quiet coach thus became infected by their enthusiasm and became quite the noisy coach!

Jeannie, Steve and Ronnie arrived in Glasgow with light hearts and heavy bags, only to discover that a bag that is heavy in flat London increases its weight in hilly Glasgow. The walk to the bus station quite tired them out, and they were glad to reach their temporary abode at no. 36 Clarence Drive and their gracious host, Donald Fraser.

The next morning saw them on a ferocious house hunt and a mammoth walk across the city of Glasgow. With nerves in their bellies they went to view their first flat, which turned out to be the most Beautiful flat, and the one they will shortly inhabit. They also encountered some marvellous Glaswegians, who are possibly the most helpful people!

We are now tired of talking about ourselves in the third person.

This first day was when we started to loose weight and feel hungry (early signs of malnourishment). However, that evening, Donald gave us a great meal and the Kwashiorkor was kept at bay.

On day two we were as anxious as ever and planning further viewings. And then we got the most fabulous phone call from Laura, the lady from the Beautiful flat. She said that we were her favourite and that we had first priority on the Beautiful flat. HURRAY! So we went off to make some comparisons with the other flats.

They were DISGUSTING!

So we decided to stick with the Beautiful flat (sigh of relief). House hunting is very tiring in a big city (especially when you're walking most of the time) and we need jobs to fend off Kwashiorkor.
We sat down to do a budget plan and realised that money would be very tight until we got jobs, and even then it might still be tight (toit - like a toiger). We decided that the easiest way to conserve funds was to go on an Extreme diet, of the malnourishment variety.
"We're Africans, we can deal with malnourishment!"
Another idea for saving money was to use candles instead of electicity. Visions of Jeannie, Steve and Ronnie with kwashiorkor bellies dancing in candle light had us in hysterics!
So we went to the pub for some nourishment. And henceforth we are the Kwashi Kids. Totsiens.