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We had a massive storm lasting a couple of days in October and the results
were quite catastrophic in the townships, with many homes and people being
washed away. We were warned not to venture out unless totally essential.
Summer arrived early September with cold spells and quite heavy rains,
thunder and lightning, Jumpers and blankets come out. All these things are
hidden away while we have winter. Shorts and short sleeve shirts are the
norm for around five months with blue Skies and rarely a threat of rain. Roll
on next April.

They tell us we will miss the Durban winters when in New Zealand, as cold and
even snow is the norm there. So while we wait we will make the most of the
world’s best winters!

Our sport generally is on the up, World Athletic champions van Niekerk,
Semenya & Manyanga, champion swimmers Le Clos & Cameron. Our cricket
team rated amongst the top teams, our Rugby, (national sport for the white
population) amongst the top countries, ignoring our recent big defeats
against Ireland and New Zealand. Even our cyclist, Louis Meintjies & Darryl
Impey are up there with the best, and don’t forget Chris Froome - Kenya born
and South African bred, borrowed only by his racing license by the Brits! Our
soccer, few white players, draws the biggest crowds of all sports, idolized by
the African population, hogs the daily newspaper headlines, more than its
fair share on local TV and sits around the 70s in world rankings. And not
making the World Cup Finals again!

Healthwise, I was in hospital for three days early in the year with pneumonia
and Judi not to be outdone had bronchial pneumonia during the year. Both
of us are now fit healthy and gymming it three times a week. We decided the
sickness was but a slight mishap which happens only to others!

If anyone would like to drop us a line or two we can be reached at
‘ted1mcdonald@telkomsa.net Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a
prosperous New Year.

Ted & Judi McDonald
Durban South Africa

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