Happy Birthday To Rob!

Our house seems empty and very quiet now!

Last Thursday we were invaded by family! A very enjoyable but rare occurrence! I mentioned that Rob's sister and her husband were coming to stay from Australia. As well as Bev and John, we had Angie and Vanessa and Catherine here to represent the younger generation, so we dotted them around in various sleeping areas! Angie and Vanessa 'camped' in the caravan and Catherine had the fold-down-couch-bed in the 'loft'! (Her husband Stu stayed at home to cat-sit so he missed the whole experience), John and Bev had the spare room, and Rob and I remained in our room. And Alfie was confused by the whole thing as he didn't know where to sleep first! And the cats scattered.......

Did I mention the occasion?

Rob celebrated his 70th birthday.

The Birthday Boy!

He actually celebrated for about two weeks, as before they arrived here, he flew to Johannesburg and met John and Bev off the Aussie flight, met up with their sons and partners, and had a huge family dinner on the Tuesday night. Then they all trekked to Kruger Park for a few days before heading to the Cape. The boys and their partners couldn't make the Cape leg so they missed the big celebrations!

The whole family!

And Alfie was bathed and conditioned for the occasion!

Alfie not looking too impressed!!

So, Thursday the 26 was 'Invasion Thursday'! It was wonderful to finally meet Bev and John as I had only skyped with them, so I knew what they looked like! The girls all arrived during the afternoon and we had a wonderful family dinner that evening. We were a little squashed round the table, but who minds the odd elbow in the ribs and a foot in the animal's water bowl at a time like this? We drank (of course we did...) to absent family  and we chatted and laughed until bed time!

Friday was The Big Day........... and lunch at The Farmhouse Hotel in Langebaan. It is a place we go to often (in fact we went for my birthday and then booked for Rob's) and the food is plentiful and very tasty! More wine and toasting the birthday boy, and then home.

Before we sat down!

After a really good meal!

Saturday we had another celebration, and a lunch (of course) at Velddrif. Another of our favourite places and a must for seafood......but not if you are in a hurry!

The restaurant is set right on the Berg River and there are several pelicans that wander up and down and flamingos that strut about on their skinny legs with their heads upside down in the water. And we drank to Rob and family and......well.....to everything as it was just so pleasant and laid back!

The view from our table!

Catherine drove home after lunch to watch the rugby with Stu, so we waved her on her way.

Sunday we relaxed at home! It was foggy and damp and cold so we lit the fire and had a sort of leftover lunch with some more wine to warm us up. Later that afternoon, John's sister and husband arrived to stay the night as they were taking John and Bev the long way home to Port Elizabeth with several stops along the way!

And then............Monday morning everyone left! Angie and Vanessa drove to the airport to head back to Jo'burg and the rest of them loaded up and headed off for the first overnight stop near Montagu.

And we were left alone!

But not lonely.........Alfie is here and the cats returned!!

And it was all fantastic and a birthday to remember!