Don't have another accident, avoid the police & dodge potholes

Have started Ira's sticker reward chart but I'm afraid today he didn't earn any stars. He helped himself to straws and at one point reminded me of a sea anemone as he sat fanning them out from his mouth. He later started shoving his wax crayons up the legs of the trampoline stored in our classroom and was driving me dilly. He went and mournfully told the nursery school teacher at the end that he didn't get a sticker. Hopefully tomorrow's behaviour will be better and worthy of stars.

Met up with a friend I haven't seen in a while at Queen of Hearts which is now quite a hub of activity. It has the cafe and then at night there is a sushi bar - Oh So Sushi and a bar called the Horsebox Bar which is literally a horse box converted and specialises in  artisan craft beers and gins. There is also a clothing store which is constructed from a shipping container and there are some other stores that have been added on to this. Not to forget the Curves Gym and Bratz Basement in a Cape Dutch style building on the side and there is even a nutritionist on hand. I stayed on for a bite to eat for lunch and randomly bumped into two other friends who came and joined me.

Headed back to Avondale to go sort out the car insurance and showing the police the car log book and insurance certificate. Alberto's mum whatsapped while I was there to say Alberto was sick so I finished earlier than usual. My mum and I were driving back home when on the exact same road I had the accident yesterday someone had a tyre blow out and their car went skidding over the traffic island and across into the opposite lane. Luckily it didn't hit us and they didn't go into oncoming traffic but a near miss and I can't believe it's twice in two days. Hoping for police and accident free roads tomorrow and not too many potholes.

A friend has invited me to go to a kayaking and white water rafting festival at Aberfoyle next weekend. Never been to Aberfoyle so am keen just hoping there's not heavy rain as it would be camping for two days - eeek. Aberfoyle is situated on tea estates in the Eastern Border Highlands.

Aberfoyle, Zimbabwe

Queen of Hearts

Just finished submitting my police clearance as I thankfully found a copy of my ID. Had been to Rudd Street where I processed my ID in 2002 to see if by any chance they had my metal disk - had heard stories of other people being lucky. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky and they didn't unearth it. My police clearance is now being processed. Hope my transgression with the Highlands police doesn't come up when I argued over a speeding ticket.

Now sitting at Queen of Hearts coffee shop. Finished my editing work for the Africa Geopolitics journal and have just been to get decorations for my friend's bridal shower from Bratz Basement. Found the journal articles really interesting reading. They were generally upbeat about Africa and its potential. There was a lot on the relationship with China and there was an interesting piece on Dubai.

I am saddened by the resurgence of xenophobia in South Africa. I was in Durban where it flared up just two weeks ago. Some horrific images are emerging and it needs to be quelled as soon as possible. My heart goes out to the victims and especially the refugees who have nowhere else to go and are being subjected to such brutal hatred. Am praying for peace and safety of foreign nationals. 

As someone pointed out, it is Africans who are being punished not Europeans. Many of the countries targeted were former allies of the ANC during apartheid. The perpetrators do not see this though and lash out at foreigners in anger at the political systems that have failed them.

The spirit of Ubuntu needs to be adopted and for the government to hear the grievances of its people but to clearly state that the targeting of victims in xenophobia is unacceptable.