The last few weeks...

We've been home three weeks and we are just trying to get caught up. Our return trip home was a bit circuitous as we missed our plane in Jo'berg and I was robbed of my wallet in the process, by uniformed officials at the final boarding gate security checkpoint to boot! (They frisked me, didnt let me on the plane and 20 mns later I realized they had taken my wallet! Need I say I was ripped?) We ended up staying an extra day in Jo'berg and coming home thru Zurich where we spent the day sampling chocolates. Not a bad make up call! Noone was hurt and other than purchasing 4 one way plane tickets from Jo'berg to Boston, we didn't lose much more. :>)

Here are a few promised photos. In the last few weeks of our time in SA, we had some great times.

The Argus was amazing. Here is another shot. I am in the yellow jersey. This many people for 6 hrs straight.

I went up Table Mountain - the hard way - on foot with a local - my Argus trainer Chris. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean and chic chic Camps Bay. When I made it up and down alive, I took his wife, Alison, out to lunch and roses and the girls picked 50 roses.

Our squash crew consisted of Katie Wilson, (white top) my Argus sled dog. Young SA squash sensation, Alex Fuller (black top). The mens crew of (L to R) eye guy Ross Jacobs, UCT's John Nel and doubles addict and beer sampler, Kevin Ritchie. Not pictured but no less important were Ed Razano, Ian Harvey, Steve Smith, Deon Hugo, Wendy Harvey and Kim Commins, Chanel Erasmus, Mark Reed, Dan, Jess and Yvonne Tromp, Inge Rist, Zoe, Rod and Hektor Durbach, Clive du Toit, Chris Loans, and last but so not least, Mark Allen. All of these folks hail from either Western Province Cricket Club or Fish Hoek Squash Club. Thank you all!

The Velez family at a final Muizenberg boogie board outing. We hope they are seeking sunny days and clear night skies (for observing) and keeping some part of the Prockops still in Cape Town.Karin, our master healer, friend, storyteller, owner of her Health2You shop. Thank you for your support of us. I miss my treatments and your vast knowledge.

Juliet is why accidents happen. She rear ended us - but it was OK. She became a great friend, healer, confidante and supplier of wonder boxes. I KNOW we are raising similar kids and offer huge thanks for her friendship. I got a LOT of support from her. God bless and go well! When the wind blows at M'zenberg, Juliet, throw up a kite for us...and watch it go! (Somehow I can't access the great pic I have of us...bummer!)

Not a squash player but she can run faster and farther than anyone I know, I am not kidding, Lin Heidmann, pictured above with me, is the Head of Herschel Prep. She is a woman of extraordinary warmth, leadership, faith and appreciation. She is so gifted. Her daughter Emma is Molly's drip castle buddy! It was Lin, from the get-go, who helped make Herschel feel like a great school for us.

So, now a few weeks after returning, we have some results to show. Great joy that Molly finished 2nd place at the US Squash Junior Silver Nationals. I won the US Nationals Skill Levels 5.5, and less exciting but results nonetheless, I am returning to a gluten free life - and a long one at that. Celiac Disease is strongly suspected after numerous tests and the 3 best parts are that 1) I have never had any obvious/typical symptoms and 2) It is getting much easier to live gluten free as many more options exist and 3) I have a great team of professionals that I consult with on different matters relating to wellness - Deb, Abbas, Raj, Karin, Ciaran, Christine and Bruce. I came to know and trust these people thru the amazing web of people I know. I am unbelievably fortunate.

It's great to be back home and we are enormously grateful to those folks who participated in our journey.  There are no pictures, sadly, of our landlords, Gary and Biz. Gary and Biz are beyond words. We all agree that they are some of the loveliest people we will ever know and we very much hope our paths cross again.

Sabbatical isn't over so there could be more postings so stay tuned.