A drive through Lonehill

We still get asked questions about life in Lonehill (and Johannesburg). Therefore we thought it best to do a blog entry not only showing security measures but the typical sights of Lonehill. Below are the photo's we took this afternoon as we drove through our suburb.

The entrance to our cluster (complex), Pineslopes Park Estate. Nearly all clusters have similar entraces with remote controlled enty & exit gates and manned 24/7 by a security guard (they have pepper spray only).

One of the security guards at our complex, James. Incredibly friendly & always has a smile.

Lonehill Residents Association employs a security agency who randomly patrol the streets.

The security guards man and observe major intersections or corners.

They also have vans which patrol the suburb.

The mock tuscan architecture that is being used for 95% of new residential construction.

Always street vendors. This time someone selling the weekend newspaper at a fourways stop.

The Lonehill shops- quite upmarket in appearance and very civilised (for Joburg).

The petrol boys

The traditional thatched roof with an obligatory lightening attracting pronger!

Security measures on perimeter fencing. 2 lots of electric fencing & green metal spikes.

Road closures are a common occurence in Joburg. Access is permitted only through one entry & exit point to enhance safety.

The Lonehill Koppie (hill) - a natural rock formation in the middle of the suburb

The reserve surrounding the Koppie & shopping centre in the background

The reserve is a popular place for relaxation & exercise

No need for Vegas when you have Montecasino... gotta love it!

We really enjoy living here & feel completely safe running around the streets each day. As you can see, the suburb does not cut any corners in relation to security measures. You learn to accept these measures and they are now just a 'normal' occurrence in everyday life.

Viva Johannesburg!

Harrison James Chandler - born 9 June 2009

Harrison James Chandler arrived at 14:30, Tuesday, 9th June 2009. Weighing in at 3.86kg and 55cm long, he was delivered via c-section surgery. Both Mum and boy are in great health. Dad is besotted with them both even after changing the 1st nappie!! Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! Tipping the scales at 3.86kg (8,5lbs)

Luxury 'camping' at Toorfontein

The Little Karoo is a broad valley stretching east to west hemmed in by the Swartberg mountain range to the north and the Outeniqua mountains to the south. Whilst the environment appears very vast and arid, the windswept plains are broken by mountains with deep ravines and breathtaking passes. Jen put on her 'travel agent' hat and found stunning accommodation at Toorfontein tented camp which would offer a completely different African experience for Jackie & Stu. To break the drive we stayed at The Fernery on Friday night- the only hotel at the base of the Tsitsikamma Mountains which has views of the rugged coastline, deep gorges and surrounding forests. Our lodge was nestled against a small waterfall of the gorge which made for pleasant background noise as we braaied on our patio. On Saturday we meandered along the Garden Route, breaking for coffee at a French cafe in Plettenberg Bay and a picnic lunch in Knysna. We continued over the spectactular Outeniqua Pass from George...

Camping at Monks Cowl, hiking the 'Berg

Due to this weekend being a long weekend in SA (and also to celebrate our birthdays), Pete & I along with British expats Gareth & Sophie decided a weekend getaway trip was required and the Central Drakensberg Ranges was chosen as the destination. We camped at Monks Cowl which is nestled in the picturesque Champagne Valley at the base of the Central Drakensberg Ranges in Kwazulu-Natal. In training for the Mt Kilimanjaro hike that we all hope to hike whilst we are based in Africa, we ventured off on Sunday for a long and hilly hike. We first headed to Blindman's Corner, an 11km return route from the camp. This route takes you steeply up a berg to The Sphinx and then along a flat and meandering grassy plateau to the base of the summits. However, upon arriving there we felt like a further challenge so subsequently climbed 1/3 of the way up Sterkhorn Mt. And up we climbed... at times the hill we were climbing had a gradient of >55 degrees! We rested for lunch perched precari...

Chandler's Overseas

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