St Francis Bay

Tuesday, 25^th September

The Dreaded packing up, cleaning and good-byes. We then had a 2 and half hour trip to a place called StFrancis Bay (we were there last in December 2010) which would be our home for the next 6 days as my hubby had work there. We stayed in a sweet little house “Sabine House”. When I say house, it really was a house.      

Lounge, kitchen with a loft area above the kitchen that could easily sleep a few people. 
    
I love this style. Love the tiles on the wall, the big wooden table,the bit of French flair from the bright, breezy colors of the crockery.
     
Just look at these high ceilings!   

Then a large bathroom  

   

and then the main bedroom     

the view from the room...

 

with another room going off it where the kids slept in twin beds.

      
Cute little toys they had in the room when we got there.    I like the dutch decor they had around the home...

     

On the outside of the kitchen was another bedroom and en-suite in a what we call as a “rondarval” (round-room). Also thatched as the house was.     

A lovely sunny deck with two sun chairs and outdoor table and chairs.   

Lovely big garden too. We could literally walk down the road and there was the beach to the right and to the left the shops in the tiny village.

Perfect location and in walking distance to everything. This was a must when I searched for a place as I wasn't going to have the use of a car. Hubby was going to be working during the days and the kids and I could do as we pleased. The idea was to go to the beach as much as possible. We arrived at about 2:30pm and checked in. Hubby then had to race off to go and fetch his work college at the airport an hours drive away. We unpacked, got settled in and headed straight for the beach. 

This is on the same road we lived in..so close!
 
       

 
Sunny weather but a cold wind. The kids had fun playing in the sand though while I collected more shells.
   

Then it was back to the house.      

With long shadows behind us...   

And the last light falling sweetly onto the grass.   
Hubby got back not too late and we enjoyed a nice evening, had a braai and enjoyed the perfect windless evening outside, listening to the call of the seagulls and the pounding surf.

       

Wednesday, 26 September
Not nice weather at all. Over cast and a bit chilly. No beach today. A walk to the shops to do some shopping and browsing. Made some muffins and pear frangeline tartlets. We walked to the DVD store and got our some DVD's and cuddled under blankets...  

Thursday, 27^th September

Woke up this morning to a cup of coffee in bed, courtesy of the Village Bakery. Was very happy to see the sun shining, the day looked promising. After J left for work, the kids bundled up in bed with me and we played memory games on the phone for a while. We then got up and I made us all breakfast and we proceeded to get ready to go out. About 2 hours later we were finally ready to leave and set off down the road to the beach. We passed under some trees where the Cape Weaver birds had built their nests and stood, watching as they flew in and out, making little noises like squeezing a soft toy.  The beach was glorious today. The sun was shining and the ocean was the color of dreams.   

We had plenty of fun. I ready the same page about 4 times while being continuously interrupted to come and look at the “oven” and “toilet” the kids had constructed in the sand dunes. Eventually I packed my book away. The day was spent collecting shells, constructing “pools” and dolphins only for them to be washed away by the ever encroaching sea. Races up and down the beach and through the surf. Jumping over waves and running screaming from approaching waves, all to the delight of the kids and at their request. It was good to feel 10 again, even if just for a little while!

They rode down steep sand dunes on boards and dug crevices into the sand dunes. I sat for a bit, mesmerized by the waves washing onto the shore. The frothy white bubbles exploding onto the sand and hearing the effervescent bubbling and frothing as they receded back into the sea, only to repeat. I find the sea to be calming and comforting. There is something about knowing that since aeons ago, the waves have been crashing onto the shore, throwing her treasures onto the sands for humans to walk by and pick up. I find the rhythms, the tides, the sounds all so soothing. I really am a beach girl through and through.

At around 2pm, our grumbling tummy's told us it was time to leave, rather reluctantly we packed up and headed back. Then it was shower time and getting changed and a quick, short walk to the Village bakery to get a treat: chocolate doughnuts for the kids and a chocolate croissant for moi. Home again jiggity-jig for a cup of coffee (tea for the kids). The afternoon was spent quietly. The kids played all sorts of games, I began the process of dinner which was making authentic Italian bolognese sauce. What a treat, to cook, not feel rushed, just to savor the actual process of cooking while enjoying a glass of red wine. *if you get a chance, you must try this recipe, it is heavenly, takes a while to cook, but so worth it!*

It seems that I did not take any photo's on Friday the 29th. I seem to recall the weather was not that great, but we might have gone for a walk on the beach. 
Nevermind...Saturday the 30th was our last day. Hubby finished work just after lunch and was able to spend the rest of the day with us. We explored the little town of St Francis Bay. We went to go and see the Canals.      

From there, we went to Port St Francis to see their little harbor.  

 And then onto Cape St Francis (are you keeping up with me with all these names? ha ha)Where we watched the surfers for a while.      

  The lovely Cape St Francis Beach.         
Here is me doing what I love-collecting shells! 
  sitting on all these shells...

    

That evening we went out for pizza.

Sunday  30th September we were up at 6am, packed up and left just after 9am. Got home around 6pm! (a long drive, about 8.5 hours!)

We came across this lovely scene while driving back...

It was a lovely holiday. I wished for more sun and warmer days, and to be able to swim in the sea, but we really did go at the wrong time of year for that. I am grateful for the nice days we did have though. It was good to just "be". No TV, no computers, no rushing, cleaning was next to nothing (apart from making beds and a quick sweep and washing dishes!)cooking was enjoyable and didn't have to be rushed.

So that was my little holiday. Thanks for letting me share it with you. I did some crochet (of course) while away and I will be sharing that soon, as well as all my back-braking work I did in my garden yesterday. My kids are still on school holidays till Monday and then it's back to the routine of life.