Home Stretch

R&R
Imagine a holiday where you get up in the morning and walk with the children along the beach, exploring tidal pools and catching such things as crabs and pipe fish, where seals lumber into the sea ahead of you, pelicans and flamingos fly overhead, and you can pick your own mussels for dinner. Well, that’s how we are ending our holiday!
We had to leave the place we were renting in Swakopmund as the owners came back early. This, however, was a bonus, as we decided to end the final days of the hols in a small place between Swakop and Walvis. With the desert behind us and the Atlantic in front of us and access to a pool and water slide, it is a great end to a great holiday. Not only has this holiday been very restful (staying in one area and pottering around as a family) but the cool weather has been a bonus for David. The children have loved swimming and Mum and Dad have enjoyed trying their hand at some dune boarding (clocking up speeds of over 70 k/p/h).
BOOKS
I have enjoyed reading the books I took. One was the first Insp Felse by Ellis Peters, another was a Daziel and Pascoe. The biography of the pioneer missionary to Owamboland (56 years), Nakambale (see an earlier posting), was very moving and encouraging – compared to their lifestyle, we have a soft life! Now I am reading the biography of Dr Broughton Knox (An Enigmatic Life by Marcia Cameron, Acorn Press). I had the immense privilege of studying under Dr Knox in 1992 and my life has never been the same again, for which – and for whom - I thank God. We have both found the example he set by his life to be challenging.
HOMEWARD BOUND
We have 2 more days before the long trek home (10-12 hours in the car). A bonus conclusion to our holiday is David’s Mom flying in from South Africa to Walvis Bay and we shall be taking her home with us for two weeks. It has been a year almost to the month since the children last saw Granny.
We look forward to seeing Owamboland looking greener than we left it. Did you know that there are NO stones in Owamboland? Any building material has to be made by hand from the mud or brought in from elsewhere.
ROUTINE
We will then start the home-schooling in earnest. Étienne is learning to play the recorder (he called a ‘crochet’ a ‘cockroach’!). Caris needs longer fingers before she can join in.
David has managed to put together a sermon in Oshiwambo whilst we have been on holiday. We have enjoyed spending time together and talking about our hopes and plans for 2007.
POST SCRIPT
We are safely home. It took about 11 hours but it was a good trip. Thank you for your prayers.
The weather never rose above 20 degrees when we were away (so cool at the coast). We came home to 38 degrees in the EVENING! David says Swakop is the ideal temp for him!