After the past three days of fairly busy sightseeing around Joburg, the plans for the Easter weekend were mainly to stay fairly local... which meant more sun, beer and braais :) On Friday morning, Bev popped round to our place for a bit, unfortunately she still wasn't feeling quite 100% - really caught it quite bad this time! After sometime up at ours, she headed back home and the four of us made our way up to Greg and Kim for a lunch time braai and the afternoon. Ethan was asleep when we first arrived but woke up soon afterwards, and I managed to spend some good time with him and reckon we're good buddies again, especially after the last time when he didn't want to know me. But he's come to his senses now... good chap :)

On the way back from Greg's we decided to take a quick drive up Primrose Hill for me to grab a quick sunset photo overlooking Edenvale. It's a pity they've taken away the lookout point, I guess for security, so one from the car had to suffice.

On Saturday morning we headed off to Braamfontein to the Neighbourgoods Market which was launched in 2011 following the success of the Cape Town market. In keep with the commitment to urban regeneration, the market takes place over two floors in a landmark building featuring a large scale concrete facade down Juta Street. We managed to get there before the main rush, and met up with Greg, Kim, Ethan, Leigh and Jonty. I decided to try out the aptly named Joe Burger for breakfast - probably not the most nutritional breakfast but since it's supposedly the most important meal of the day, you want to make it count right?

After another hour or so of walking around the market, we left Greg, Kim and co. to head home while Uns and myself went with the folks down to KES for the annual Easter Rugby festival, which had started on Friday already. The festival was first staged back in 2002 as part of the school's Centenary and was originally planned as a once off Festival but as a result of the huge success it has now become an integral part of the school's annual calendar. After a bit of a walk around the school and the new library, we made our way up to the beer test for a couple of cold draughts while the band were setting up and then started to play. After a few there, Uns and myself decided to head down to St John's to meet up with Giulz and Jenna who were watching the rugby drinking down there. The atmosphere was also really good down there, and even though we never saw much of the school, stayed there for sometime before heading back up to KES. We got there after their 4pm gate cut off, so I landed up running the gauntlet past security to try find the folks who were waiting for us. Little did I know they had moved the car! So that was fun trying to explain the situation to security!

From the school we made our way home briefly then straight up to the Brazen Head for dinner and some late sundowners. Greg came through a bit later as well and joined us all for a beer up there.

Yesterday morning we had originally planned to head out to Heia Safari Ranch, but on Saturday we decided to change plans and stay fairly local since we'd already had a good trip up to Kruger. So instead we decided to make our way out to Sandton and a bit of a walk around there. Uns managed to get a few bits and pieces, as well as a whole lot of bedding, before meeting up with the folks again for lunch. We figured since it was a nice afternoon we'd have lunch on the Square, even though we'd have to wait sometime, but eventually got a seat inside at Ghirardellis Italian Restaurant, but you could see the Square and hear the concert which was going on out there.

After lunch, Uns and I got dropped off at Brian and Moira's place where Greg, Kim, Ethan and the rest of the family had been for Easter Sunday brunch. At least we managed to time it quite well that Ethan was awake and playing awake quite happily in the garden, which was cute to watch. From their place we headed back to Greg and Kim's for a little while until it was sleep time for the little guy.

Last night we just chilled out at home and decided to braai the fillet steak we'd bought in Mpumalanga, which was just as delicious as delicious as the first cut we bought. After a decent feed, we sat outside for a while burning some wood and pine cones in the braai... TIA :)

Today, as expected, was the most depressing day waking up knowing the holiday had come to an end. Never a nice thought. We had just planned to stay around the house, and this morning Grandpa and Paddy made their way up to the house for a visit, followed by Bev a bit later. Once they had left, a Steers burger for lunch was definitely in the cards, so we quickly popped up the road as a last holiday take-away treat. After lunch, Dale then popped in to say hi/bye and at least we managed to catch up with him a bit as well.

After lunch, once Ethan had woken from his lunch time sleep, him and Greg popped up for a visit for a few hours, followed by Kim a bit later who was out and about. Bev then also popped back in with her new little dog which I hadn't yet seen... so it definitely was all go in the house this afternoon. And in between I had to try and get my packing done! But seemed to have managed that ok!

Once everyone had left and I had finished my packing, we were just about to leave when gramps arrived back up to the house to come say bye again. Unfortunately we were just in the process of leaving, but glad we managed to see him and hadn't already left for the airport. Once at the airport and having checked in, we met up Greg who said he'd drop Kim and Ethan at home then head through, and decided for a pre-flight beer at the KEG and Aviator, which also happened to be the furthest point away from international departures.

But after a nice cold beer each, it's now time to head through, which is always the worst part of the holiday, but certainly had a fantastic two and a bit weeks out in sunny South Africa. Now to head back to mud island and face that never-ending winter...