My hubby turned 60 on Sunday ...

... and before the rest of our family and friends arrived, Erin helped her Grandpa open his presents ... two BIG presents ....


... oooooh ....
.. 'what is it, Erin' ..... her reply .... "a box!!" ....

... 'what's inside the box?' ..... "a pot !"

.... "Nooo ... Grandpa .. not on your head" ....

... ooooh .. another box ....

.... we gave a delighted hubby/dad/grandpa a Weber Braai/Bbq ....

Happy 60th Birthday to my wonderful hubby !!

Jeanette took more photos of his special day shared by family and friends

http://www.jeanetteverster.com/2010/07/my-dad-turned-60-today/

Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare ...

Time for a little more of Ireland to share - haven't done a post for ages on the many places hubby and I visited when we travelled around beautiful Ireland in October last year ..


.. with Liscannor in the far distance on the left ... and after parking our car in the car park .. there are paved walkways, pathways and steps ....




.... leading visitors to this most spectacular sight .... the Cliffs of Moher ...


... which stretch for 8 kilometres and 214 metres above the Atlantic Ocean .. and home to one of Ireland's largest nesting seabird colony with over 30 000 nesting seabirds ...

Unfortunately, it was a bit hazy on the day we were there ..

From the view point (above) the steps and walkway leads to the right to O'Brien's Tower which was built in 1835 by local landlord, Cornelius O'Brien as a viewing point for visitors ...

.. where the Aran Islands can be seen just to the left (dark strip in sea) and the mainland - Co. Galway - in the distance ..

Gentle sounds of a harp and the voice of an angel drifted around the cliffs ...

.. and rolling green hills, thick with emerald green grass ..

.... scattered with fat, furry cows ..

... we walked to the left of the main viewing area and came across this notice which seemed to be ignored by some .. including us! But we thought .. why not .. if they can do .. so can we ! but it is dangerous and there is also a notice warning of the deadly drop to the ocean below and how many people slipped and tumbled to their death ...

Sooo ... cautiously we walked along the cliffs edge .. it was rather scary !

... but we managed to get some awesome photographs ....

This view is from that cliff path looking across to O'Brien's Tower ...

On the way out, we stopped at the Visitor's Centre which is tucked away in the hillside. It's huge inside with coffee and tourist shop (where I bought one of Tina's CD's) and a virtual reality "Cliff Edge Experience" ..

Spectacular, isn't it?

Weekly Winners : Birthdays and more ...

Gosh .. it's been a busy weekend and only now have the chance to put these up ... !!!! (Monday)

Reflecting on the past week ....

... which started with my birthday on Sunday .... was spoilt by my children .... hubby gave me this exquisite 'Carrol Boyes' candle holder .... isn't he gorgeous .. holding up the 'world' with those strong hands ...

... we then flew down to Cape Town ... (actually we flew SAA but couldn't resist taking a photo of this Kulula plane taxiing down the runway - all their planes have funky paintwork and advertising) ....

Soothing sounds of a harp wafted around the foyer of the hotel ....

.. which is not far from the V&A Waterfront ... our hotel is just off the photo to the right ..

... Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - named after Queen Victoria and her second son, Prince Alfred who started construction of the harbour in 1860 ...



.. and forms part of ... the tourist/shops/foodies part of the harbour ... with beautiful Table Mountain as it's backdrop ...

.. and where the statues of Nobel Peace Prize Winners ... from left to right ... Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mr F.W. de Klerk, and Mr Nelson Mandela .... stand proud ..

... anyone for ice cream ? .... quick .. it's melting in the heat !!!

... ooooh yesss .... a cool 'dude' seal ...

.. as the sun sets, the sunset cruises return to port ...

Whilst hubby was at the conference, I spent some family time in Somerset West ....

.. and while Kathy went to beading ... exquisite jewellery she makes too !! I am in awe !!! ...

.. anyway .. while she went to beading .. I spent some time with my Mum. She is looking well although very thin. She knew me. Always breaks my heart when I say goodbye ... she may not know me next time ..

Hubby joined us for a superb meal at 'Daniella's restaurant' (she is one of the manager's there) .... 96 Winery Road, in Stellenbosch .. Kathy, Ian, Daniella, me and hubby

... ooooh lookie here ... exciting stuff on their menu ... !!!! ...

... and an intriguing box on the mantel ... !!!

Not a moment to waste ... wine tasting at Asara ... mm .. mmm !!! all excellent wines !!

... and delicious Tapas with more family ... oh yummy .. yes .. very yummmm ..


... overlooking the lake and Stellenbosch Mountains ... (I've been there before with Ian and Kathy and taken photos .. so if it looks familiar to some bloggers .. it is !!!) But just had to share it with hubby, Cheryl and Bob (who had not been there yet) ..

Coffee with a view .... at the Twelve Apostles Hotel

.. and a seagull ..

Au revoir ... 'til we meet again ..

Back home ...

... on Saturday was Connor's 3rd birthday party .... and all our three children were there ... in the same spot .... at the same time .... we all live here .. but it's very rare that they are altogether at the same time .... photo opportunity !!!!

Happy Birthday Connor !!!!

Fun waterslide for all the littlies ... and some biggies!!! Jeanette has more photos ... check them out ... they are far nicer than mine could ever be ... !!!

More Weekly Winners are on Lotus' blog