A 26 hour journey from Sydney to Cape Town on Singapore Airline. I was delighted to have three seats to myself for 2 of the 3 legs. Wonderful!
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| 3 seats to myself for two of the three legs |
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| Blissfully reunited with Jo |
Showing posts with label Jo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jo. Show all posts
April 21, 2026
April 05, 2026
Memorable moments: The Matric marathon
In South Africa, the Matric Dance is the undisputed peak of the school social calendar. It’s a night of high-stakes glamour, tuxedos, and floor-length gowns. I went with a childhood friend, Wendy, but my close friend Tony was in a bit of a bind. Tony was the academic titan of our year—frighteningly intelligent and always top of the class—but he was a bit of a nerd and lacked the social "processing power" to find a date.
Feeling for him, I offered up my sister, Jo. She was gorgeous, lovely, and possessed a non-judgmental patience that I knew would be the perfect safety net for Tony.
The night began perfectly. We all looked the part in our formal gear, the atmosphere was electric, and the girls looked spectacular. Then, the music started, and the "disaster" began to unfold on the dance floor.
Tony, whom I had never seen move faster than a brisk walk toward a library, didn’t so much find the rhythm as he did a pace. Being tall and gangly, he didn't sway or step. He jogged. He began to lunge up and down on the spot with giant, athletic strides—arms pumping and legs churning with the mechanical efficiency of a cross-country runner.
Poor Jo was dutifully in tow, trying to maintain some semblance of a dance while Tony treated the disco lights like a finish line. After about an hour of this high-intensity cardio, Jo and I managed a quick sidebar. She was breathless but smiling, her legendary patience still intact.
"My God," she whispered, "he must have clocked up at least ten kilometers by now!"
It was a classic "Tony" moment. He had approached the dance floor with the same relentless focus he applied to his exams, oblivious to the fact that he was the only person in the room treating a slow ballad like a qualifying heat for the Olympics.
April 04, 2026
Memorable moments: The slow-motion comb
I have always struggled with a deep-seated phobia of making people wait. If I’m even a few minutes behind schedule, a familiar, prickly anxiety begins to bloom. For years, I wondered where this frantic need for punctuality came from, but looking back at our family trips to Muizenberg beach, the source is clear.
Muizenberg was a local institution, and on a good day, the parking lot was a battlefield. Dozens of cars would circle the asphalt like sharks, or as my father would mutter under his breath, "Vultures!"
After a day in the sun, Jo, my mum, my dad, and I would troop back to our cream-colored Volkswagen Variant. Inevitably, a "vulture" would spot us packing our gear and pull up alongside, indicator blinking with predatory expectation. Most people, sensing the pressure, would hurry.
My father was not most people.
We would climb into the car, the waiting driver idling just inches away, ready to pounce on our spot. Instead of turning the key and vacating the space, Dad would reach into his pocket and slowly, deliberately, produce a comb.
Then, he would begin a performance that felt like it lasted a lifetime. In extreme slow motion, he would meticulously comb his mostly bald head. He wasn't just grooming; he was savoring the power. He would check his reflection, adjust an invisible stray hair, and enjoy every agonizing second of making the "vulture" wait.
In the back seat, Jo and I would catch each other’s eyes and roll them toward the ceiling in a silent plea for the earth to swallow us whole. It was excruciatingly embarrassing, a masterclass in petty defiance that Dad absolutely relished.
I think I spent the rest of my life running five minutes early just to compensate for those few minutes in the Muizenberg parking lot. While my dad was finding his bliss in the slow-motion stroke of a comb, he was inadvertently hard-wiring me to never, ever be the person holding up the line.
March 30, 2026
Memorable moments: The lassies of Kathmandu
In 2023, I set off for Nepal with a group of friends, including Russell, to tackle the trek to Everest Base Camp. Before we hit the trail, we spent several days in Kathmandu, where I quickly discovered a local obsession. In the central square, they served the most incredible lassis—the traditional chilled yoghurt drinks, thick with flavor and topped with a generous dusting of nuts and currants.
They were delicious, refreshing, and—dangerously for me—incredibly cheap. I became a regular. In one particularly enthusiastic sitting, I managed to put away four of them in a row.
After the trek, we went our separate ways. I returned to the familiar "blue-dot" navigation of Sydney, while Russell flew back to Cape Town. Being a good friend, he met up with my family to give them a firsthand account of our Himalayan adventures.
My niece, Samantha, who was in her early twenties, was listening intently as Russell regaled them with stories of the mountains. But then, the conversation took a turn for the surreal.
"Wow," Russell said, shaking his head in fond remembrance. "Graeme sure did love the lassies in Kathmandu. On one morning alone, I saw him pay for four of them."
A heavy, awkward silence descended over the room. Samantha looked visibly shocked, shifting in her seat with a face full of genuine discomfort. My sister, sensing the sudden shift in atmospheric pressure, leaned in.
"What’s the matter, sweetie?" she asked.
Samantha didn't hold back. "Well," she stammered, "I just don't think Russell should be sitting here talking about Uncle Graeme’s predilection for Nepalese prostitutes or his sex life!"
It took a few moments of frantic back-pedaling for Russell to explain that the only thing I was "consorting" with in the central square was a blend of fermented dairy, sugar, and dried fruit. I realized then that while I was busy enjoying a harmless local delicacy, my reputation back in Cape Town was being accidentally dismantled by a missing 'i' and a very imaginative niece.
March 29, 2026
Memorable moments: Thick as Tina
Growing up, we had a beloved dog named Tina. I have never, in all my years, seen a dog who could wag her tail with such violent, sustained joy. It didn't matter if you’d been gone for two years or two minutes; Tina’s tail was her primary mode of communication.
Eventually, her enthusiasm became her undoing. She wagged so hard and so often against the walls that her tail was constantly injured, the scabs breaking open and spraying blood everywhere in a rhythmic, joyful massacre. It lasted for months until it became untenable. With heavy hearts, my parents had the vet remove it.
Tina returned home wearing a pair of female panties for a few weeks to protect the healing stump. But the loss of the tail didn't dampen her spirit; it just forced her to find a new medium for her delight. From that day on, when she saw you, she would emit a low, rumbling hum of pleasure through her nose while her entire hindquarters swung from side to side in a rhythmic "butt-wag." If the excitement reached a certain threshold, she’d punctuate the moment by widdling with pure joy.
Tina lived for the driveway ball-toss. We had another dog, Meg, and the competition between them was nothing short of existential. For Tina, getting to the ball before Meg wasn't just a game—it was her life’s work. If Meg won, the heartbreak was visible.
When she wasn't competing for tennis balls, Tina was hunting shadows. She was particularly obsessed with the moving silhouettes of butterflies, chasing them across the grass for hours, barking at the ground, and occasionally stubbing her nose on the dirt in her pursuit of a dark spot. At night, she’d transfer that intensity to torchlight, sprinting after a beam of light as if it were a tangible prize.
My grandfather, never one to mince words, used to use her as the family benchmark for intelligence. If my sister or I did or said something particularly dim-witted, he’d shake his head and say, "Don’t be as thick as Tina."
He wasn't entirely wrong about her IQ, but I loved her with all my heart. She was the kinetic, shadow-chasing soundtrack to my childhood and teens—a dog who might not have understood how light worked, but who understood exactly how to love a family with every fiber of her (short-tailed) being.
March 27, 2026
Memorable moments: Fast and furious
Once upon a time, there was a fine young chap named Antony. He lived a happy life in Pinelands with three zany housemates, but there were times when he felt he was missing that "special something." Then, on a cold, blustery winter evening, he was invited to a Glühwein party. He walked in, ready to get stuck into the warm wine, when suddenly—flash, bam, alakhazam—his whole world shifted.
There, standing before him, was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
If you ask Antony about this moment today, he’ll give you the most explicit details: the outfit she wore, the sparkle in her eyes, the fact that her feet were bare, and—crucially—that she was carrying a plate of sausage rolls. It was, for him, a total thunderbolt of love at first sight.
However, the "heroine" of our story had a slightly different experience. When Jo was later asked to recall her side of the events, she couldn't actually remember Antony being at the party at all.
Undeterred, our hero persisted. He ensured their paths crossed whenever possible until, eventually, Jo noticed him and decided he was actually rather delicious too. The turning point came a few weeks later at a music concert. Jostled by the crowd, Jo turned to him and said, "Antony, please take hold of my hand—I don’t want to lose you."
Being a perceptive chap, Antony realized things were hotted up sufficiently to make his big move. After the concert, he took Jo out for frozen yoghurt. As they sat there, he decided to employ a classic "Valentino" move: the surreptitious hand on the knee.
It was a time-honored approach, but it had one fatal flaw. Antony’s hand was icy cold from holding his frozen yoghurt. When he made contact, Jo got the fright of her life, leaping a meter and a half off her chair in pure shock.
That was the official start of their "fast and furious" relationship: Antony was fast, and Jo was furious. Despite the thermal shock, their love blossomed, and they were married in 1996—proving that even a freezing hand can’t put out a fire that started with a plate of sausage rolls.
February 26, 2026
February 24, 2026
A precious video of Sam's early days
Jo has recently digitalised old family videos. Here are some beautiful scenes from Sam's birth and early life, beautifully edited by the son of a friend.
January 12, 2026
Gift from Jo
This beautiful present from Jo arrived in the post. I now wear it out everywhere with great pride!
December 29, 2025
Jo and the family 2025
An incredible year for the Botings with trips to Madagascar and Rwanda. Sam turned 25 and started a fantastic new job in Hermanus. Matt left home, graduated from university and went backpacking to Vietnam.
December
Matt in Vietnam
Early Xmas
Today we had an early Christmas celebration with Mom, Mike and Sam. Tomorrow, Sam will meet up with Matt in Bali and Ants and I will spend Christmas in Plett with his family.
Rwanda Gorillas
We had the most incredible day! So incredibly special. 2.5 hours of trekking through Volcano’s National park to find this family of Gorilla and then got to spend an hour with them! Here is Antony's adorable video.
I’m still on a high from yesterday! The gorilla collage photos were taken by our amazing guide Eric. The day ended with a motor bike ride (Matt is getting around by motor bike taxi so I had to keep up with him!) and then a walk with Ants chatting to the the locals. So many people joined us and wanted to know all about SA and told us they wanted to practice their English. Such friendly people. The children are just gorgeous!
I have loved reliving these magical memories as I've download my camera photos. We had the most incredible time with Eric from @wildwondersafrica. Such an incredible, knowledgeable guide who made our time in Rwanda even more epic!
We also got to go on a second, much easier trek to see the Golden Monkeys the next day. They are so active and utterly adorable.
November
Goodbye to Matt
On Sunday we waved goodbye to Matt as he headed off on a fabulous backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. He started off in Singapore for three days and tomorrow heads to Vietnam. I am so excited for him. After four years of varsity, he now has some time to relax, explore and discover the University of Life x
What an incredible sighting at Kirstenbosch this morning. My heart was so happy. The gorgeous chick and mom sitting so perfectly for us. We were really lucky to find them as the chick is now flying so could have been anywhere!
World Premie Day
Celebrating World Preemie Day at Mowbray is a heartfelt tribute to our tiny little fighters. The festivities commenced with a charity walk at Newlands Forest yesterday, followed by a photoshoot for the KMC moms and an informative talk by the hospital on the incredible advantages of skin-to-skin contact and then some moving talks by moms that were patients in KMC and their incredibly brave and uplifting stories. The moms were treated to delicious snacks by kitchen staff. It really is a team effort to make the hospital look so gorgeous all decorated in purple xx
Muizenberg
We headed off to Muizenberg to watch the Beaver Supermoon rising over the beach huts last night. Photos never do it justice! So beautiful!
September
Whale Trail
We are back from our 2nd, 5 day Whale Trail slackpacking hike in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. It was wonderful, with an abundance of flowers, whales, ocean and mountain vistas. Thanks for the great company with some very special friends!
Lunar eclipse
Tried to photograph the lunar eclipse last night. Ended up just trying to make my shot artistic as it wasn’t easy in the wind and not having practised camera settings for a while. It was a stunning sight to witness and then Antony and I had fish and chips on the balcony at the Brass Bell while the moon was in total shadow.
What a morning! Clouds and waves were showing off for the 10km Blisters for Bread along Sea Point Prominade.
Muizenberg
August
Happy Woman’s Day. Spent time with the 15 000 woman who signed up for the TWR 10km race this morning. A beautiful sea of pink!! We were so lucky and missed the rain. It was a glorious morning.
Hermanus
Girls trip to Hermanus and bonus is spending time with Sam too. We went to Char’d last night for an incredible steak dinner and I popped into her office at Hermanus Day Clinic this morning to see where she works on a Tuesday. Today, between the rain, we watched whales from our apartment window (5 at one stage) and went on the hunt to tick off the almost 30 murals in town. There was just one we couldn’t find! Tomorrow is another day!!
Celebrating the start of World Breastfeeding Week today at Mowbray Maternity. I had lots of fun creating the frames and posters.
So proud of Sam and her new job in Hermanus. I miss you already.
June
Madagascar
Welcome to Nosy Be, Madagascar. First day has been an explosion on the senses. We have a beautiful lodge overlooking the ocean. Falling asleep under the mosquito net with the sound of the locals partying on the beach. It is a Sunday tradition of families coming down and enjoying themselves. I loved walking walking the beach. So much to see and photograph. The water was gloriously warm. Look forward to spending the next 7 nights here with Antony, Sam and Matt!
Madagascar day 2 was a day I’ll never forget. Walking through the village at Nosy Komba and then having the most delightful encounter with the Lemurs. Another short boat ride away was Nosy Tankinely, a protected marine reserve with its crystal clear water and coral reef We had a lovely few hours there eating a seafood lunch and snorkeling. We were even lucky enough to see turtles which swam with Antony and Sam for a few minutes!
Madagascar day 3. Today’s excursion was to Lokobe Park. After an hours drive, we rowed our authentic fishermen canoes for about 45 minutes to the island. Lokobe Park is home to an incredible diversity of endemic species. We encounter more lemurs, colorful tiny chameleons, geckos and even a boa constrictor on a tree above us! The forest walk through the towering tree was lovely (and hot and sticky😂) I love meandering through the villages on the way and meeting the locals. The Malagasy are so friendly. Some super cute kids and of course dogs, chicken and cats make it so vibrant. The paths are lined with items for sale from sarongs to table cloths, vanilla pods, tee shirts and lots of wooden trinkets of lemurs and chameleon. Luckily for us, after a delicious seafood lunch, a motor boat towed our canoes back to the start!!
Madagascar day 4. - Our excursion today was to Nosy Iranja, a small paradise island located in the heart of the Mozambique Channel. Nosy Iranja is famous for its sandbank that connects two islands at low tide. It has pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters and is just breathtaking! It was a 90 minute boat trip away from our hotel. We were dropped off on one side and walked across the sandbank to the bigger island. The water is crystal clear and so warm. After a dip and some beach time, we walked through the local village of 200 inhabitants up to the view point, passing the displays of sarongs tablecloths and Malagasy trinkets. Thursday is Independence Day so lots of the local ladies were getting their hair braided in preparation! We had one of our best meals ever - Antony even did a Facebook post about it. Delicious salad, braaied fish, prawns, 2 plates of lobster and Zebu kebabs (zebu is a type of cattle on the Island. They have massive humped backs) We took another boat back and had to drop other people off at a hotel far up north so were about an hour later than expected getting back to our hotel but the bonus was that we got to see the 5.30pm sunset from the boat.
Madagascar Day 5. Today was a rest and recovery day. We did walk over to the next village along the beach 3 times though during the course of the day and then took the tuk tuk back to our hotel. Such a fun way to travel. It was Independence Day in Madagascar so lots of places closed but the street were vibey and all the ladies had their hair braided with beautiful beads. Such a lovely culture and I feel completely safe.
Madagascar Day 6 we got to swim with giant green turtles at Nosey Sakatia! What a privilege. A day I’ll never forget
Island tour
Hermanus road trip
On Tuesday Sam and I had a fabulous overnight road trip to Hermanus! A bonus was a very active whale that breeched about 3 times! A real show off much to my delight. This morning we put on our creative caps for Mandy’s belated birthday experience at Clay Cafe in Hout Bay.
A super busy weekend. Yesterday I was so fortunate to do a workshop on Perinatal palliative Care with Sam, then rushed off to support the Mowbray Hospital Board’s fundraising initiative at the Cape Town Funny Festival at the Baxter. This morning Antony and I joined Bridge for her birthday sunrise swim at Camps Bay tidal pool. A balmy 24 degree berg wind mid winter!! Then a Father’s Day lunch at Woodside Village with Mom and Mike. My cup is full!!
I had a fantastic day with Matt on a cooking tour in Bo-Kaap. It started off with a history lesson and a stroll to Atlas Trading to learn about spices. We visited several galleries and finished up at Zaine's home in Rose Street, where we prepared a delectable chicken curry, homemade rooties, samoosas and Dhaaltjies!
4th Slave Route Challenge completed. One of my favourite races. Lovely going through town and Bo-Kaap! So much encouragement along the way from the locals and delicious hot Koeksisters after the gruelling hill!
May
Weekend fun. Making the most of Graeme’s last few days in Cape Town.
Birthday celebrations with some special people in my life. Thanks for all the lovely wishes. I feel super blessed
Lovely Mother’s s Day and so special that Graeme is here this year to be with us all xx
Last float of the season at Shelley Point tidal pool — and what a beauty it was! The water was amazing, we didn’t want to get out.
April
Will miss you Jason😢 Who is going to cheer (bark) when the Springboks score a try on the TV? A super loyal companion for the last 13 years with us💗
Had the most magical morning picking and arranging flowers at a workshop with @susie_leblond_flourish_farm — a birthday treat for Sam! Loved learning a new skill with Susie who is so entertaining. Her farm is just so beautiful to walk through. Such a special way to kick off a Saturday morning.
Happy 25th birthday Sam
Happy 25th birthday to the most incredible human - Dad and I are so proud of the gorgeous, strong, kind hearted and capable woman you are today. You are one of the greatest gifts life has given me!
Monday mid morning swims are the best! Maidens Cove
Congrats on all the runners and especially Antony who got his blue number for his 10th Two Oceans.
Baby shower time!! Such a special day! Some bunny coming soon💗💗
Such a fun morning with the pink ladies supporting Pacific as he ran the two Oceans Ultra for The Zoe Project. Well done Pacific! We are so proud of you. Tomorrow I’ll be there supporting 7 “family” members running the half marathon.
March
I met Pacific last year after he ran the Comrades Marathon for The Zoe Project. One of our volunteers first met him at Seattle Coffee in Constantia where he worked as a barrister and after hearing about the Zoe Project he decided to raise money for our charity. What an amazing man and such an incredible story of bravery and resilience! Thanks for running The Two Oceans Ultra for us this year Pacific.
Ants, Kim and I went for a morning swim at Maidens Cove this morning and came across this lovely proposal!! Lots of cheering from the side lines. Can’t believe we lived in Camps Bay for 5 years and today was my first swim in this gorgeous tidal pool!
Downloaded some camera photos. I am always blown away by just how perfect nature is! I now have lots of new "stock" for my birthday cards
Girls trip to Wolsely to see flowers at Adene’s farm. A riot of colour to make our hearts happy x
Friday morning at Silvermine.
Oh my word! I found paradise! Glen Donald Cottage is just out of this world. A wonderful weekend with the HCHC hikers. Swimming, canyoning, rock pools, diasa’s, tubing, delicious braai’s and great company💗💗💗
February
Tuesday walk on the other side this morning. Magic morning and swim at Saunders.
Had a beautiful day out at Vergelegen doing some sunflower viewing. Such a beautiful farm with so much beauty all around.
And it is official! Antony and I are empty nesters. That is after Matt did a quick “shop” in my pantry cupboard!😂. Enjoy your flat with your mates Matthew💗
Another fun morning with poolpartycapetown! Today’s float was very well attended at the Brass Bell tidal pool. Water was gloriously warm!
January
A lovely 2 night stay-cation at Mary-Anne Flanagan flat in Sea Point. Thursday night she hosted a delicious girls dinner! Watched the moon rise over the stadium and fell asleep listening to the sounds of seagulls! I had 2 cold water swims at Saunders Pool, sunset picnic, swam lengths at Sea Point pool, had a 90 minute Massage and just soaked up the vibes of living in busting Sea Point! This morning Antony and I came back to Sea Point to do a kayak trip. We encounter a very playful pod of dolphins that made my heart so happy. One even swam under the front of my Kayak! A wonderful long weekend!!!
