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!

First impressions

Thought it time we touch base and let you know that we are still here!!! We have been very busy since Jen's arrival. Mainly involves trying to lease/buy cars & getting the necessary documentation, sorting out my work VISA, sorting out housing.... We are getting an Audi A3 which we should have by Friday. We can't wait to drive it! Second car to be confirmed (but hopefully purchased by early next week). I have been dropping Pete at work each day so that I can use the hire car... looking forward to sleep in's in the near future and really being a lady of leisure- enjoy it while it lasts I say! I have met with Charles Orbach (accounting firm) and am now in the process of obtaining documentation for VISA (copious amount) and then getting it processed ASAP. They are lovely people and I look forward to starting (probably another 1-3 months though due to length of time to get VISA). I seem to fill my days quite easily with daily food shopping, lunches, breakfasts, gym, organisi...

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)

Sabie, Drakensburg Escarpment & Kruger NP

Friday The boys (UP and Pete) finished work at 3pm (normal for a Friday) and we began the roadtrip east of Joburg to Sabie. Sabie is a small town in the Drakensburg escarpment. We arrived at our traditional Africaans hosted B&B (hideous arched brick house stuck in 70’s!) and ventured into town for dinner and drinks. For dinner we ate local delicacies of kudu (antelope family) casserole, springbok schnitzel and biltong (like beef jerky) pate. We have also discovered the obligatory finisher to any meal- a Dom Pedro- single or double shot of either whisky or kahlua, blended with icecream- yum! We then headed across the road to the local pub. It was fascinati ng being the only tourists and watching the locals in action… Saturday We decided to visit Kruger National Park. Most of the National Parks in Africa are fenced to protect the animals from hunting. Kruger NP is enormous (apparently the size of Israel)- we drove around it all day and would have only seen a small portion of the park...

Chandler's Overseas

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