Summer living in London...

Thursday 14 July to Wednesday 10 August 

That's a month with quite a lot of downtime. It is good to slow down every now and then..live like a local.. 

We experienced different areas of London..

We had two weeks in a really nice airbnb in Hammersmith right on the Thames..

We stayed in Aldgate near Brick Lane for 4 nights..

2 nights with Claire and Grahame in Brixton..

2 nights in Covent Garden..

2 nights in Kent with Sarah and Greg..

And our last 3 nights for Europe 2022 in Munich..

Homer 2022 : Sorrento, Positano, Naples

10 to 13 June

We had to arrive early at Nube d' Argente campsite in Sorrento.

Perched high above the ocean and only a short walk into town, this is a prized spot in Sorrento; one of our favourite little cities in Italy.

Sorrento is poised on the edge of a cliff overlooking a beautiful emerald sea. The beach clubs are built on piers and platforms in the sea.

There's even an elevator to get you back up at the end of the day. A euro well spent! We aren't really tanning types so we nab a good table at the bar and sit for hours with wine,  snacks, lunch and aperativos and watch the sea and the goings-on.

Menon met up with us for a few days too. There are lots of British tourists here, which means an Irish pub or two and coverage of rugby on TV all weekend.

Sorrento has some pretty good restaurants, a lot of them specialising in seafood.

 Neil loves the grilled octopus.

One day we took a boat trip to picture-perfect Positano.

Menon found such a great restaurant with an awesome view and great food.

Our rule about not expecting good food if there's a view was blown out the window. 

We did a day trip to Naples.

What great coffee and sfogliatella.

We wandered the streets of the fascinating old spanish quarter.

Neil found the best ever local, artisenal Napolese pizza joint.

We squeezed around one of four outdoor tables with cars brushing past our bums and scooters careering down the hill towards us and with the cacophony of hooters and sirens as background music, we tucked into the best pizza we're ever eaten.

As we boarded the train at the end of the day, a fellow passenger's wallet was nicked from his pocket in front of our eyes. By the same boys who had tried to grab Vivienne's phone out of her hand while she took a photo of the station.. That's Napoli - with it's reputation for Pizza and Pickpockets!

A month in Gauteng..and KZN

Tuesday 4 April to Tuesday 3 May

Back in Joburg I had to catch up on admin and chores and appointments and apply for a Schengen visa.

I am also planning three months in Europe and two big Botswana trips. Some days I feel like Superwoman and some days I feel like I've dropped all the balls.

We did catch up with friends - more one by one than in large groups -while Covid rates remained low and the weather was warm enough to be outside a lot.

Three nights at Zebula with the folks. 

Easter weekend with Tommy and Mandy - out from Dublin - at St. Michaels Beach.

The devastating floods took their toll on the whole region.

A fabulous safari with Colin and Jenni - from Aus - at Rhino River Lodge in Manyoni Game Reserve.

Three nights at Jabula Bush Camp in Dinokeng with Sandra, Rob and Lisa - visiting from NJ - and Mom and Ann.

International Travel is beginning to feel normal again. It's great that families and friends are able to reconnect once more.