JOHANNESBURG

To be in Johannesburg in spring and see it in all its spring glory with banksia roses, petria, yesterday-today-and tomorrow in full bloom and the heady scent of blossom is a treat. We were met by Chriscelia and we caught the new Gautrain to Sandton - it's a joy not to have to brave the heavy traffic and to arrive after a 15 minute journey in Sandton City. The gardens in Johannesburg are glorious and we're staying with my brother Leon and Chriscelia whose garden is an oasis and its wonderful waking each morning to the familiar bird calls.
We've met up with some of our friends. I spent the morning with Elnor in her astoundingly beautiful garden and we went out to lunch close to where we used to live and had a superb meal at The Burnside. It's so lovely to be with lifelong friends where one resumes the friendship with ease. We had lunch with Henry and Pat in their lovely garden and dinner with Grant and Ushi. We met up with Rob, Barbie, Les and Sandy and had one of those lunches that's filled with teasing and laughter.

Elnor - cherry blossom time

Conal, Pat and Henr 

Johannesburg is vibrant, the people are warm and friendly and at every traffic light there are people selling flags and rugby jerseys and wherever one goes there are people wearing Springbok colours. It's also a city of high walls and I was so amused to see the ultimate wall in Hyde Park decorated with Greek sculptures!

Jo'burg walls - EISH

Conal, Barbie, Sandy, Les, Louise and Rob at the Fishmonger