So we got the girls out of school early and we all excitedly crammed into our car full of bedding for our little gang. We made our way to Oxford feeling a little smug that we would be one of the first to arrive jumping the bank holiday weekend traffic. But the smuggnes was shortlived as we approached Oxford peaktime and sat in a great big traffic jam. Thankfully with plenty of snacks, songs and games of eye spy we managed to sit through it without too much moaning from the back.
We pulled into what we thought was the right address to find ourselves on a caravan site?! We knew that we werent staying in caravans this couldnt be right? We rang Henk to find that he was stuck awaiting a lift in town hanging out at Tesco's with Shafiq. We of course had taken the wrong turn and drove into ( after having to get out to open and then close the gate - I am not used to country living) the equestrain centre. Our gang were thrilled at the sight of some horses (Luca squealed in delight) and excited that we were finally here. We were approached by a man welcoming us whom was about to get into a car ( we later found out he was on his way to get Henk ! ) Raymond introduced himself and told us we were the first to arrive ( see the early start paid off - Hooray ) He wanted to show us around and kept calling me Lynne. It was a very pleasant surprise as we turned the corner to see our new home for the weekend.
It really was a ranch. It looked pretty kool. Alannah immediatly dashed off, she was in heaven spotting both the Island with the swing bridge and the boats.
Annalise and Luca found the tyre swings and ropes and wanted to immediatly play.
Soon after Lynne and Mich arrived with all of our stock for the weekend. Ambreen helped bring in the shopping and then went off putting name-stickers on all the rooms for everyone.
Slowly everyone started to arrive with 2 minibuses driven by Henk V and Hylton. It was such a happy time watching my family arrive and sharing with them the house we were to stay in for 3 days. Annalise was of course most happiest to see her best friend Shafiq arrive , Elmarie and myself didnt see much of them the whole weekend as they played and had so much fun together just like brother and sister.
I was so thrilled as Simon and Heath's car pulled up and out stepped Tom, Ash and Natalie, I had the biggest hug it was so good to see them.
The evening was spent settling in, unpacking and having a great meal together, finding out our itenery and the rules of the house.
On Saturday we went for our traditional loooong walk, although it wasn't that long this year as much as Henk tried to make it ! Traditionally we also had our red faces and foreheads in the evening following the walk.
As what happens to me every year I am hugely touched by the love of my church family and know I needed this refreshment so much. Sometimes you need it to be right there in your face before you can see it. The children were spread out amongst all of us on different shoulders and different hands.
As you can see from the pictures we had a really great time with it culminating on the village green with a picnic kindly brought by Elmarie and some yummy chips brought along by Jacques and Marna, which brought forth cheers from the hungry walkers.
We visited a little church just off the green which ended with a spontanius worship time I think we must have frightened off the locals as even the village shop closed early.
We had an evening with some games courtesy of Cindy and myself. Cindy had everyone running around confessing what they "hadnt" done. We also got everyone to do some self portraits - see the pic above with pencils aloft.The rest of the evening was spent chilling out chatting and drinking hot chocolate.
On Sunday we had our "service" in the living room with some worship and Jaques shared something from the Bible with us.
In the afternoon Alison kindly took us to Christchurch college where she had attended. She gave us a fantastic guided tour and we were treated to the prayer thats recited every dinner time in Latin then English, I sadly missed this stuck behind a generous family of Germans.
As we walked around admiring the cathedral Lesley whispered to me " So who's going to start the singing off now"?
After returning home a small gang gathered sticks in preperation for our bonfire. As soon as dusk fell we all went into the woods with the children gathering on a huge log. Robert told the story of Elijah and made it really exciting with an arrow of fire coming from the sky to light our bonfire ( courtesy of Hyltons brilliant tree climbing) Our bonfire grew and Jo and myself ( from her wheelbarrow) thought we were in for a forest fire as it grew and grew. Carol myself and Jo backed off feeling our faces burn. There of course was no forest fire just a beautiful huge bonfire which died down enough for the kids to toast some marshmallows.
After all that excitement Minaar kindly treated us to some more games. The boys especially loved the Maffia game where Richard was able to show off his cunning skills, killing off his opposition - Roelof at the first wink.
At the same time as all of this frivolity we had much sailing, great company some sunbathing lots of relaxing a busy resident photographer Jaco and spoilt with lots of delicious food.
All in all it was a very succesful weekend.
Some worked very hard to make it all happen Thank you all so much.
For me this was a refreshing time of Love, friendship, growing and most importantly FAMILY.
The Shafiq family had a fantastic time ..... roll on next year........ same place?? .........
Jo Shafiq
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1John 1:7
