Last weekend felt like proper Spring had set in, a bit windy, but mostly clear skies and sunny which was nice. With it having the outdoors feeling, we landed up doing a few cooks on the Egg - wings on Thursday, pizza on the Friday and steak on the Saturday :)

On Saturday during the day, after Ellen's PQA class, we had Nick, Cindy and Lila popping in for a brief visit, then the afternoon just at home and in the garden.

On Sunday Ellen had Lila's birthday party, so her and Una headed off into Brighton for the afternoon. Myself and Ian had a boys afternoon, driving over to Shoreham Beach with our bikes and taking a cycle towards Shoreham Fort for a snack and coffee, then after some rock climbing we headed back towards Shoreham direction, stopping at Middletons Fish and Chips for lunch and an ice-cream. After a bite to eat, back on the bikes past Widewater Lagoon and back to the car. With Ian still keen for more adventures, we drove over to Hove Skate and Bike Park for a little while before heading home.

On Monday until yesterday I had a 3-day workshop at work, so an early start to the week. I had booked to stay in town on Monday night, which was convenient since Monday evening we had dinner and drinks at the Devonshire Terrace, where the Old Fashioneds were rather tasty.

Yesterday evening, after the last day of the workshop, I headed over towards Waterloo and met up with Duncan at The Thirsty Bear for a few beers after work, which was good to catch up with him again. After a few there, he had to head away back home, so I grabbed a quick Nandos at the station and then made my way back home.

Over the past 10 days, the weather has started to show signs of spring returning to the UK, which always puts everyone here in a good mood. On the previous Friday, after work we attempted to cook an indulgent Mac and (four) Cheese on the Big Green Egg which turned out alright, wasn't the best recipe considering the ingredients, but happy with the BGE cooking part at least.

On Saturday we focused on getting Ian's room ready for him, it was long overdue, but with his drawers in place, the arrival of his bed and bedding as well as a bit of DIY needed, it was all ready for him to move into. Very happy the way it turned out, and he was super impressed to have his own room (at least). Then on Sunday was just a chilled out day around the house.

Last week Tuesday the kids went back to school after the Easter holidays, so back to early starts and normal routine around the house again. On the Thursday we had a braai for dinner, cooking up a mix of quick and fast grilling, and then Friday was kid's swimming after school, followed up by a visit up to Holmbush for dinner.

Saturday's weather was really nice, so after some time in the garden that morning, in the early afternoon we all headed out to Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve for a walk around there and the kids had a great time exploring.

Yesterday was another lovely sunny day, so while enjoying the garden for the day, I attempted a low and slow cooked pulled pork, which turned out well for my first attempt - longer than expected on the Egg, but the end result was good for my first really long cook. Hopefully more of those to come over time :)

After spending Friday morning at home around the house, Ellen was off to Lark's birthday party in the afternoon, while Ian and I spent a good bit of time playing football out in the garden.

Then spent Saturday and Sunday doing another couple of cooks on the BGE - first a reverse seared bone-in ribeye and then a low and slow cooked lamb shoulder. Sunday was also the Easter Egg hunt around the house for the kids which they thoroughly enjoyed :)

Yesterday morning was just at home and then Ellen had Lana's birthday party in the afternoon, so after packing mine and Ian's bikes onto the car, we headed off to Lancing, dropped Ellen and Una, Ian and myself made our way to the beach. While Una round a comfy spot on the beach, Ian and myself took a cycle towards Widewater and back, before all grabbing an ice-cream and then picking up Ellen and heading on home.

After a rather relaxing long weekend, it was all go this morning with Una heading into London and the kids back to school and after-school, and myself back to work. But at least it's only another four day week which is nice :)

Last Friday we had an invite to the school assembly to see Ian get the Star of the Week award, which was very cute to see him up front accepting his certificate.

After dashing home, I very excitedly received my pallet delivery of The Green Egg which I had ordered the previous week. Since the outdoor kitchen area probably won't get built anytime soon, Una pressured me suggested I order it now with the table and start using it while waiting on the build. Unfortunately it was raining all day, but cleared up nicely on Saturday so got it all built and positioned in place behind the garage, and started off with chicken wings as my first cook.

On Sunday we picked Ellen up from Lila's house after her sleepover, and then with her bike on the roof rack and Ian's bike in the boot, we headed over to Brooklands for a cycle around that and some time in the playground. With it being rather chilly and a bit rainy, we headed back home and attempted my second cook on the Big Green Egg, this time a roast chicken.

Still getting used to the Kamado cooking, and attempted steak this week as well as pizza, which turned out quite well. So certainly a few more of those again.

We have the Easter long weekend coming up, so all looking forward to an extra couple of days off work! :)

On the Friday before last, on the 13th, was Ellen's 8th birthday with her party in the afternoon after school. So at pickup time, Una fetched her and the girls from her class and brought them and Ian back home for the party. After some fun and party time, I took Ian to go swimming and then to McDonald's while the girls did some crafting at home, then returned back in time for cake and Wicked the movie.

Saturday was rather busy, with us getting out the Lego again and both kids (and myself) really got into it with some good building. Then we had the afternoon Irish rugby game before heading out to Fatto O Mano for Ellen's birthday dinner and back again for the final game between France and England where France managed a win in the dying minute to clench the title away from Ireland.

On Sunday we had the morning at home for Mother's Day, and then the afternoon out to Splashpoint for some swimming. This past weekend was really sunny, it feels like Spring has arrived, but we all know it's just the Spring of Deception where it's meant to turn cold this coming week, but at least we got the sunny weekend to make the most of it. So Friday evening we had dinner at Longshore and then spent the majority of the weekend out in the garden which was great.

Then as expected this week has turned rather chilly and windy, but at least we got good weather in over the past few days!

After getting back from SA a couple of weeks ago on Wednesday morning, the drop in temperature took a bit of adjustment as it always does. So that weekend we headed out to Devil's Dyke for a walk around there and got some fresh air and then on Sunday drove out to The Marina to watch Zootropolis 2 at the cinema, followed by some time at the arcade there.

Last Thursday I had an early start heading into London to meet up with Keith before work. He was over for a couple of days but with Una in London last Tuesday and Wednesday, I decided to head in early on Thursday for breakfast and coffee before work. We met at Liverpool Street Station and grabbed something over at The Breakfast Club before he headed to get his flight and me off to work. Can't believe it has been almost 7 years since we last caught up, how time flies by!

Saturday morning was nice and sunny, so while Ellen was at PQA, I took Ian over to the Rec with his new football for a bit of a kick around and some goal kicks, which was good fun.

The afternoon was the second last weekend of the Six Nations, with Ireland playing Friday night and the other two games on Saturday. Which meant projector movie(s) for the kids and rugby for us :) Then yesterday was nice and sunny, especially for early March, so we ended up being out in the garden for a good bit of the day which was nice.

After getting back from Mabalingwe on Friday late afternoon, the next few days were just out and about around Edenvale, with Papachinos on Saturday morning for a few hours there as well as lunch. And then up to Greenstone on Sunday to get a few things from the shops as well as a Mugg and Bean visit. And then yesterday we all headed up to Fahrenheit for lunch which is always a favourite of mine.

As with any good holiday, time always flies when you're having fun, and today is our last day, so after dropping the car a bit earlier this afternoon, we're just finishing up the last bits of packing and heading off the airport in the next hour or so, after a lovely couple of weeks out here :)

From Monday until today, we’ve been away at Mabalingwe, which really was fantastic. It was quite a late booking the folks managed to organise a few weeks ago, but we were happy to get accommodation for the week - and it turned into a really enjoyable few days away in the bush.

On Monday morning, after the usual rush, we left home - stopping first at the Petroport over the freeway for a snack, then heading on to Toeka se Dae where we met up with the folks for lunch. After that, we made our way to Mabalingwe and checked into the chalet.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, Una and I managed to get up early for sunrise game drives, which were great - the perfect time of day to head out and still be back in time for breakfast. During the day, we mostly relaxed around the resort - by the pool, on the restaurant deck, and fitting in a few afternoon game drives too. Yesterday afternoon, we stopped in at the Kalahari Oasis Bush Pub for a beer, which was a nice surprise tucked away in the bush. Then each evening we had a few sundowners back at the chalet, followed by a braai for dinner.

The kids had a fantastic time too. Some of their highlights were having their own room and space upstairs, the visits from the warthogs, the bush pig, and mongooses running around - but mostly being in Granny and Grandpa’s car, driving around without a seatbelt on!

This morning, we packed up, checked out, and headed back to Joburg - once again stopping at the Petroport for lunch at Spur before making our way to Edenvale ahead of the Friday afternoon traffic. Very happy with our few days away in the bush :)

On Wednesday, after picking the kids up from school, we had a quick turn around to get ready and head off to Heathrow. Traffic wasn't too bad and managed to park up, catch the bus and get through security in good time. After a bite to eat at Five Guys, we boarded the plane for the overnight flight, landing in Joburg Thursday morning. As we were leaving the plane and walked past the cockpit, the pilots motioned for the kids and us to have a look which was quite amazing - the kids got to sit in the seats and we were shown around the controls and the various flying instruments.

After a while at passport control, we collected our bags, met up with the folks and Bev, and headed on back to number 54. There was a bit of rain that afternoon, which we didn't mind as long as it was just a passing shower and not for any longer. On the Friday we headed over to Isando to collect the rental car, and then yesterday we drove out to Monte Casino - a long time request from Ellen to go back there. We wandered around a while and then decided on lunch at the Palazzo Hotel, before heading back in time for the Ireland vs Italy Six Nations game.

This morning we took the kids to the Kidz Fun House Play Centre for a couple of hours of play there, and then being back at home this afternoon, packing a few bags before we head off to Mabalingwe tomorrow until the end of the week.

After a rather quiet week at home, we had the excitement last night of the American Rumble Wrestling Spectacular at The Barn Theatre here in Southwick. We had never been before but decided it could be a fun night out, but really was brilliant - as far as amateur wrestling goes.

The kids got into it, but not as much as Una and I did, it was quite the entertainment, especially when local hero Barry came out!

For a local venue and entertainment, was a great evening out, will certainly go back again when it returns.

Got a few days left of work this week and then we're off to SA on Wednesday night so looking forward to that...