just to get caught up...

So, I have posted a few pics, and they are ROUGHLY in the order they should be. Molly's 7th grade leadership assembly was last week and here is a pic to give you an idea of the class size and uniforms and formality. 7th grade is the last year at the "Prep" school so they make leadership a BIG deal. Next week, Molly goes on a 3 night field trip called High Africa - high ropes, etc..the whole 9 yards...of rope, I hope...She is in the early stages of getting a new, completely reconstructed forehand in squash. It's hard work, but she is with one of the best and she's fired up about it. She and Lyle have a few excellent sparring partners in Shannon, Jess, Keira, Chloe and Inge. The camera hasn't made it to the club yet but maybe soon! Molly's work has been mostly with Mark Allen and Lyle has worked more with Rodney Durbach. Squash people need no further introductions....Just being around them is such incredibly good squash energy - and WE are learning a thing or two about teaching squash!

Last weekend we went to Hermanus via the coastal route and stopped at Stony Point to see penguins and dassies. Never have we seen so many of both! It was amazing! We stayed at the backpackers and early the next morning headed out on sea kayaks from the old harbor. Seas were still a bit choppy from the wind that blew thru last week but it was amazing to paddle almost on TOP of Cape Fur seals. We did have to maneuver our way over/around kelp beds at low tide. We all loved it! A bit queasy from the swells, Lyle and I bailed out a bit early but we still loved it. 

From there it was onto lunch at Cliff and Peggy's in Hermanus. We arrived to delicious pizza and ice cream and had a lovely long lunch with Cliff and Peggy Moran, parents of our Concord- Acton based squash partner, Derek Moran! Cliff and Peggy have visited Groton before while Derek and I have played so it was fun to see them again and get to know them better on their turf. Cliff is a plant-guy and studies invasive species and spends lots of time in the bush. He convinced me, (and the girls) by only a few stories, to NEVER walk off the pavement without heavy blue jeans and hiking boots. Snake bites are rare, but not worth taking the chance. Aye, Aye Captain! And seeing as though we have already seen 2 snakes on 3 walks, I am a believer. In addition, Cliff is a living reminder of the strength of the African sun. He and Peggy are so personable  - we had a great time with them and can't wait to see them again when they come to Massachusetts in the fall as Cliff will be giving the opening remarks at an international conference on invasive plants - and visiting their grandchildren! SA's constitution provides for 45 litres of clean water per person per day so the gov't has a big job to do with regards to providing this constitutional right. Cliff is at the forefront of the research ensuring that the necessary bugs and plants are in place to keep invasive species from limiting this right...it's fascinating and info we didn't dream of learning during our visit. 

On the way home, we happened across the sign pointing to Vermont. We aren't quite ready to come home yet, and actually that sign is really pointed towards Antarctica.

I think all the other pictures are explained from the last blog entry. Sadly, uploading these pics MIGHT have cost us our entire month allowance of uploads- note we had to wait until Feb 1 to get internet again. We squeezed January bone dry by the last week last month!...Internet is quite a challenge! 

Bye for now!