Flight over Gauteng with Captain Ogston!

Our friend Tim got his pilot's licence a few months ago so we put on our brave faces and headed for the sky (no... really Tim is an excellent pilot, landing was so smooth we didn't even notice it)!

We flew mainly around 1000-2000 feet above ground level with ground speeds ranging up to 130 knots.

Tim took it fairly easy on us with only 1 gut-retching banking turn. He's saving the free fall gravity drop for another time!

Our plane!

Sandton (new CBD) in the foreground and proper CBD in distance

A typical site from the sky- the majority of housing in the northern suburbs is clusters.

Captain Timmy & wingman Pete

Sandton

CBD- Vodacom tower in foreground & Hillbrow Tower

CBD

The constant haze from cooking/heating fires that hovers over Soweto (formal settlement)

Passenger Jen

Pete's office park (Terracotta roofs)

Magaliesberg Mountain range, north of Jozi

Hartebeesport Dam

The ever present divide of rich & poor... rich with large plots of land & trees in foreground, and poor in the background... mass of housing with no greenery.

The cockpit

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)

Andy & Mel drop by

Within 3 days of saying goodbye to Ian and Julie, we had new visitors... Andy & Mel! They managed to squeeze in 4 days in RSA on the way home from their European holiday so we ensured they had the maximum African experience as time would permit. Friday was dinner at the African themed Moyo's, including local African entertainment, tribal face painting (unfortunately mandatory for all foreigners!), and African cuisine... Then we whisked them away for a weekend of game and camping at Pilansberg. Unfortunately they brought the winter weather with them from Europe (ha) so experienced intermittant showers for most of Saturday, however we were still lucky to see 2 female lions roaming through the savannah. Sunday was more game viewing prior to the return drive to JHB via Pretoria and a quiet night that we all needed at home. It was great seeing Andy & Mel again and we loved showing them a tiny morcel of Africa! Mmmm.... Don Pedro's at the Bull Run

Chandler's Overseas

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