Olympics here we come!!!

The last days in Belgium we had some more family and friends saying hallo and bye bye to us. Granny Mouse, Astrid and Giannini (Steven's friend) came over and while the ladies were chatting the boys played soccer in the garden and boring ipad games. We also had granma & granpa and, uncle Mart & aunt Wil come over the next day. They brought delicious salad and pasta and kiwi/lemon cake. mmmm!! Steven and I did not spend alot of time with them, because we had to pack our bags so we could go to Brussel on our last day in Belgium. We went to see the famous Manneken Pis, tjeeeeee what was the statue sssssmall. Only 61cm. We also went into the museum of Brussel and saw anexhibition Manneken Pis, the legend of him and all his costumes. Over the years he received a lot of traditional clothing (around 800) from countries and cultures which he from time to time does wear. I saw also traditional Xhosa costumes, gumboots and a Madiba-shirt from Nelson Mandela in the collection.  Also Elvis Presley and all kind of different colourful costumes were on display. Other than the Manneke Pis we also saw the many paintings and history about the how Brussel was ones a small little settlement on the Zelle and became a big city - the Capital of Belgium and the Capital of Europe with many important headquarters like the European Union (EU). We of course had a Belgium wafel with Belgium chocolate and my parents had a nice Belgium beer. Back home we were invited for a Braai, not just a braai,.....'' A BRAAI WITH A SWIMMING POOL!! ''
The last time we went swimming was in the indoor pool in Beijing so Steven en I were very happy. I also made friends, Maja (my age) & Monique and they were both born in Pretoria/ South Africa. We talked, swam, ate, played soccer, cycled and said goodbye. It was nice meeting you!!
The day we left for London we woke up very early, cleaned the house, washed the car, did the washing and mobbed the floors. We put our kreeft-on-the-move t-shirts on and took the bus - train and \euro rail to Great Britain.

Olympic Games....here we come!!!

Having a picnic@=

The crossing from the mainland to the UK was very interesting since we went by train under the sea. We went underground in France and came up on the surface in England. Within less than 3 hours we were in Londen. Uncle Lex picked us up and dropped us off at Rene and Kadri in Pimlico. There we had a delicious, healthy picnic in their communal garden. With strawberries, grapes, blueberries,chips, melon, crackers, nuts & rocky road/ chocolate. That was the best PICNIC!! We had to leave mama & papa behind, because it was time to go to Notting Hill to see aunt Mieke (joga teacher)!
The first morning we walked through the market to a cafe were we had french toast. Steven had berry pancake and Mieke had fruit salad. The first day in London was already very very busy:

problems with  the bicycles

1. We went to Mieke's joga class. It was so great. I felt very light and relaxed.
2. Hired bicycles so we could cycle the London streets
3. Went in a traditional Londen taxi 
4. Saw Buckingham Palace where the queen lives
5. Saw Prince William and Princess Kate in a car going into the Palace visiting their Grandmother
6. Got a ice-cream
7. and saw prime minister Cameron walking past
8. Cycled through parks and bridges,saw swanes,different kinds of people,the sun,   busy traffic & many squirrels
9. Said: Happy Birthdy to a cute 2 year old neighbour and played with him and his sister.



prime minister of England 

10. Had a nice get to gether in the Mews and watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2012 with all the friends and neighbours in the Mews in Notting Hill.

On Saturday we went to the Holland House in Alexandra Palace. A big Heineken House about 1 hour from our home. And yes, we were just 2 seconds to slow to get into the tube (underground), but in those 2 seconds Steven slipped in and the doors closed!!! We shouted and did all kinds of sign languages before he took off. We wanted to phone Steven, but there was no signal. Mieke and I took the next tube and Dad and mam and Lex stayed behind. Apearantly he took the first tube back because . . after waiting for 7 long minutes we saw him arriving safely with mama,papa & Lex.

People we met at Heineken House

papa en mama on TV  many times. They are in the left corner.

The Holland house was great. You could listen to music, play Olympic games, drink Heineken Beer of course and dance, go in a photo cabin and take Fun fotos and ate friet (frensh fries) and kroketten & meet other nice Dutchies. We saw on the big screen how The Netherlands earned their first medal in the relay swimming (silver). Later mam, dad & Mieke were in the audience of RTL4 Spelen, a Dutch talkshow about the Olympic Games- meanwhile we could see them on the big screen tv.
We went to bed very late!

THE FIRST OLYMPIC MATCH- '' Let the rains BEGIN!! ''
Our first match to see and cheer for the team was women hockey China- vs- Korea.
I had my Chinese t-shirt and jacket on and was one of the few supporters for the CHinese team. Nevertheless the Chinese girls won.

Chinese hockey team

The 2nd match was women hockey South Africa-vs-Argentina-. I also had my South African Shirt with me and song the South African national Anthem very loud. Unfortunately the girls did not play so well and Argentina won with a 7-1 score. Strange to see the Argentinian hockey girls (I was playing in the same shirt in Buenos Aires only in March this year), but I cheered louder for my South African team. I had to think about my own ockeyteam at Kronendal School and missed playing with them.
The whole day was crazy weather and we sat in the pooring rain one moment and dried up from the warm sun the next moment.
It was great to be there although I found it very disappointing that the South African hockey team disappeared straight after the game. Normally the teams make a small round past the stands to thank the audience and their supporters. We came all the way from South Africa (?!) to see them and they just left without saying goodbye to the fans.

Loes