A weekend at Goudini Spa - AGAIN!

We spent the past weekend at our usual winter getaway - Goudini Spa. We were very lucky to have been booked into the lovely scenic Slanghoek villas once again (well, mainly because we can no longer fit into the more affordable - yet still comfortable - rondawels).

Even though the accommodation stretched our budget a bit, it was well worth it.

Each bedroom has its own balcony or porch, from whence we were able to enjoy the most breathtaking views. Being surrounded by these wide open spaces left me feeling peaceful and rejuvenated.

View from Shakeel's bedroom

from the girls' bedroom

and from our bedroom

the lounge

Shakeel found some furry friends, to whom he sneaked our food whenever I wasn't looking.

We spent a peaceful weekend eating...

....swimming in the warm pools at night (despite the icy temperatures outside)

...and swimming by day

We relaxed

when we weren't playing monopoly,

and snuggled under the warm covers to escape the freezing temperatures

As usual we were sad to leave and resolved to return as soon as possible.

So this is what they've been up to

You might have noticed that I've been rather quiet since the start of the school holidays, since this is a period we stay-at-home moms spend all of our time feeding kids, cleaning poo, refereeing arguments and listening to complaints (especially the nerve-grating whine, ''I'm bored. There's nothing to do'')

But, happily, we have had many special moments this holiday. Here are some of the activities with which we have been busy this June holiday.

Playing with our furry and feathery friends

 Being delighted by visits from friendly sparrows

Visiting neighbouring dorpies (small towns)....

Victoria Dam in Paarl

View from the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve

....where we sang and danced in the rain

We also went away for the weekend as described here . And when we got back home we spent time writing and drawing about the highlights of that lovely (albeit much-too-short) getaway.

 We also caught up on our reading - though I would have preferred us to do so much more of this activity.

Tharaa (10) became adventurous with her milky art - which she cleaned up as promised.

Tharaa's birth date (written in milk!)

Although we did not spend much time on money-guzzling activities, (like visits to the movies and kiddies shows) the kids have enjoyed their holiday thus far. We are in fact sad that it's nearing its end. We had better savour every remaining second.