Palace Result

Palace stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games with a hard fought victory over Sheffield United. Palace were a little fortunate to be 1-0 up at half time after United missed two glorious chances. However, Palace were dominant for the first two thirds of the game and deservedly took the lead before the break after Jamie Scowcroft scored from close range. The Blades came back into it during the second period and missed a couple of fantastic chances to equalise. Ultimately, Scowcroft's strike was enough to give Palace the points and make it a very happy return to Bramall Lane for Neil Warnock. Text nicked from EagleEye Live edited by Moi.

Palace are now unbeaten in 12 games and are 7th in the league! Not bad for a team mired in the relegation nonsense just a couple of months ago.

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Match Report
Manager's Comments

Next fixture: New Years Day home to Norwich - I'll be there with Joel & Grandad so will give my own report!

Yule Tide Fun

We've been having a lot of fun enjoying a cold English Christmas with family and friends. Despite the weather we've managed to get the boys out of the house (and away from the TV) for a few trips to the local swings. Their mood brightens no end after a bit of fresh air. One of the things we forget about life in Blighty is just how sedentary it can be!

Christmas was a lot of fun with both boys being thoroughly spoilt with some fantastic presents. family & friends were incredibly generous! It's hard to say what the best toy is/was yet as they're still discovering some of their new toys. Joel is quite taken with a toy gun that came with his pirate gear and he's really enjoying dressing up as Captain Hook.

Tomorrow we pick up a hire car which will give us some desperately needed freedom until we leave. On New Years Day Dean, Grandad & Joel are off to watch Palace at home to Norwich and then we're off to Wimbledon for a couple of days to see Susan and a few other good friends which we're really looking forward to.

Captain Hook came a calling and sneering


The cousins (Bethany & Susannah) even did some drying-up after Christmas dinner! India seemed to have escaped at this time

Palace Result

Palace stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games with an impressive 2-0 victory over Coventry. Two second half-goals from Clinton Morrison and Paul Ifill were enough to secure victory, but Palace owe a huge debt of gratitude to keeper Speroni who produced a string on impressive stops, including a stunning penalty save after Clint Hill handballed. It was all square at half-time, but that doesn't tell the full story of a entertaining opening period. Palace had the better chances while City forced a good save out of Speroni for the home side. Palace were probably the happier team at the break, but in fairness should be at least a goal to the good. Text nicked from EagleEye Live, edited by me.

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Match Report
Manager's Comments

Next fixture: Sat 29th away to Sheffield United.

It's Very Very Cold!

We've arrived safely after a brilliant flight with SAA. We had 10 seats between the four of us so we were all able to stretch out and get some sleep. Joel enjoyed the TV on demand and Eli simply slept for the whole flight.

The weather is some 30degrees celsius less here than it was at home so we're really feeling the cold! The boys are really excited to be here and are getting on great with their cousins which is a real blessing. Lisa did a small Birthday Tea for Eli in the afternoon of our arrival which was really sweet.

If we don't post again before Christmas we hope you have a great time and remember the reason for the season: Jesus!

Palace Result

Palace secured a deserved 2-1 victory - but made hard work of it after a spirited second-half comeback from Plymouth. Neil Warnock's men went in 2-0 up at the break after Hill and Scowcroft capped off a fine first-half display. But Plymouth hit back early in the second period to give the away side hope - but Palace stood firm to secure the three points and stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games. Text nicked from EagleEye Live.

Palace go 10th in the league on goal difference and are now only five points from the play-off zone.

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Match Report

Manager's Comments

Next fixture: Boxing Day away to Coventry

Christmas Hampers

In the midst of the chaos yesterday Dean took a couple of hours out to go and deliver the food hampers which church members had contributed to. The hampers for Lwandle, Sir Lowry's and Broadlands had been done on Tuesday, so Dean only had to deliver the Chris Nissen hampers. As ever we got a mixed reaction ranging from "Where's mine" to "Thank you!" but mostly the folks receiving the hampers were very grateful and very blessed.

Last year we did the Christmas Hampers pretty much on our own but as we were away on holiday this year we set the ball rolling but were able to delegate the bulk of the work, Brilliant!

Mark from CNP works at Metro and is always helpful when we buy food there. As you can see the packed hampers are heavy! Metro were really good and wrapped the hampers for us


The bakkie and trailer were packed and Danelda had to use her people carrier too


There's never a shortage of willing hands once in CNP


The hampers in Aunty Poppy's house


Each hamper was supplemented by as big bag of goodies such as biscuits, sweets, coffee etc.

Early 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Eli's birthday today, a few days early so as not to let it get lost in the hustle & bustle of then next few days. We fly to Blighty tomorrow evening and have still to think about packing. We've been really busy since returning from holiday, particularly with the Christmas Hampers.

Eli had a lot of fun and was very proud of being the Birthday Boy. We were quite amazed at how much he understood of what was going on. At lunchtime we went to Vergelegen for a family picnic in the camphor forest. We had a lovely lunch and a lot of fun doing the treasure hunt.

Eli got some great presents which were immediately put to good use, especially his toy trolley, see below.

Eli didn't need much help opening his presents


A proud owner of a new stroller and baby from Joel. Eli adores walking around with the stroller


Now this looks like a lot of fun waiting to be had


Joel was magnificent in pulling Eli around the drive


But a mishap was inevitable!


Lunch in the camphor forest


Joel demolishing the bread


Eli discovered the sugar bowl and was very pleased with himself

Trading Summer For Winter

We'll be arriving in the UK for a short Christmas break with family on the 21st (Eli's 2nd Birthday) and have to confess that giving up two weeks of Summer here for two weeks of winter in Blighty doesn't seem like an amusing prospect at the moment. thankfully family ties will make it more than worthwhile!

This photo came from Sheffield Hallam Uni' alumni and depicts a winter's scene in Ewden Valley just North of Sheffield. It looks very cold!

Holiday In Boggam's Baai

What a brilliant time we had in Boggam's Baai! The village is amazing as there are no commercial properties in the village which means no shops, coffee shops, ice cream vans etc, so the beach really was the focal point of the holiday. We did manage to find some shops in the nearby town of Mossel Bay so all was not lost. However, it was bliss not to have the usual assortment of seaside rubbish to deal with. The beach was stunning and empty! On one day there were about 100 people on the beach but given that it is a few kilometres long things were far from crowded (as you can see below).

We were forced to just relax and spend loads of time together as a family which is exactly what we wanted, time out to hide from the world and regroup before Christmas and a planned very busy start to 2008.


A rare shot of Dad. The boys (big & small) really enjoyed the rock pools


Joel was fascinated by the little hermit crabs he found


Eli loves his Flings and the sand really didn't seem to bother him


Eli hurrying to smash Mummy's sandcastle before Joel gets the chance. Look how slim Mummy is these days!!


The boys really had a lot of fun on the beach!


Two photos of Dad in one post, a bit like the buses, you wait for ages then two come along at once


The bath in the cottage was quite something and much enjoyed


After much nagging Joel got his 'bat teeth'


We did get out and about and this was in Mossel Bay


Fun at the Outeniqua Transport /Railway Museum in George


Ice creams always go down well..


..they also go to other places


This was at Jukani Wildlife Ranch which was just up the road from where we stayed


Rock pooling again


Very proud of himself

We're Back

We're back from our holiday in Boggams Baai, a lovely small seaside village without a single shop or business. Very peaceful!

We'll post something meaningful later but thought you might enjoy this sign which we saw at the Outeniqua Transport /Railway Museum George.

Elf Yourself

A final parting thought...

A friend from church emailed us with the following link: Elf Yourself which has been doctored to poke fun at our church elders. We hope you enjoy it as they may not.

In case you're wondering, they are (l to r) Sean, Wesley, Francois and Josie our church secretary.

Christmas Tree

we're off on holiday in Boggams Baai for 10 days from tomorrow and won't be posting in that time so we leave you with this to be going on with...

This evening we put our Christmas tree up, mainly in anticipation of our forthcoming Mulled Wine & Mince Pie 'do' on the 18th (anyone who's been to one in the past knows this is not to be missed). We weren't going to bother with the tree as we'll be in Blighty for Christmas, but Joel was having none of that and with hosting a festive party we thought we should acquiesce to the good old pagan tradition of a tree (Martin Luther has more than the Reformation to answer for). Joel was asking about putting it up all day so I told him that we would do it after Eli had gone to bed. So in true Joel fashion, he asked Mummy to put Eli to bed at 4.30 so we could do the tree! Classic.

You just know they're up to mischief, about to get up to mischief or planning to get upto mischief


Excuse the nudity! but it is summer here (Blighty will be a shock to the system)


Concentration as he takes things very seriously on occassion


ready to stick the tree up the angels bottom angel on top of the tree


The more observant among you may have spotted our ambitious plans to read two books each whilst on holiday, ha ha.

Palace Result

Palace took all three points from QPR in a game that they didn't look like winning after a poor first 45 minutes. Rangers were good value for their lead at the break, but you always had the feeling that they would tire, and so it proved. After Palace drew level, Rangers heads visibly dropped. The lead came soon after when Clinton Morrison netted his sixth goal in five games. Once Palace had the lead there was only going to be one winner. Warnock was sent to the stands late on for something he said, so won't be on the touch-line for Saturday's trip to Barnsley. On the strength of this victory, Palace have reached the dizzying heights of 15th and are now unbeaten in their last seven games. Text nicked from EagleEye Live, edited by Moi.

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Match Report
Manager's Comments

Next fixture: Sat 8th Dec away to Barnsley.

The People Your Parents Warned You About

Tonight we had a lot of fun at our end of year leaders dinner at church. The occasion is to say 'Thank You' to those who lead cell groups throughout the year. Someone thought it would be good to get the leaders to dress up in something weired/unusual. Some really got into the spirit of the event.

Francois (our lead elder) & Ian, this is really scary!


May & Emille, looks like someone really did go out and invite the wino's in


Cap'n Jack, that'll be Jono & Dawn


Morné & Len

Paula reckons Len has a touch of Mick Hucknall about him.

Suits You Sir!

The BBC carried this brilliant story today about a 77 year old pensioner in Devon who has a bit of a wind problem.

Maurice Fox was quoted as saying: "I am a loud farter, but there is no smell"

Inevitably, there was no-one from the club available for comment.

Check out the full story: Flatulence ban for club pensioner

This article really made my day.



PS. Whilst there have a look at The poetry of bodily functions

Dozeyhead & The Weekend

Oh dear, someone didn't wake up too well and got himself into a bit of a pickle with his sleeping bag. Actually, Eli never wakes up very well as he'd rather be left to sleep, which is why the bunk beds were a bit of a disaster. Joel is the total opposite and always wakes quite early. We're not sure where he got that gene from!

Please pray for healing for Eli, he's got a terrible ear infection, the ear is oozing blood and gunk and he won't let anyone near it. Paula took him to the GP who prescribed anti-biotics so hopefully he'll be fine again soon.

This morning in church we had some baptisms, but this time things were a little bit different as thirteen children (yes 13) were baptised. The testimony each of them gave as to why they wanted to be baptised were amazing and put many adults testimonies to shame. Not one of the youngsters gave a woolly answer, rather they were all very clear about following Jesus Christ and living for him. Awesome!!

This afternoon I sloped off to Delheim for their annual mountain bike open day organised by Dirtopia. I rode there last year and had a lot of fun so was keen to go again this year. The estate is only open for riding once a year which is a real shame as the trail is brilliant and they've put a lot of time and effort into the single track. Last year I was riding quite sporadically and nearly burst a lung on one really big hill. This year I rode the whole thing easily in the middle ring at the front and went around twice. This year really was double the fun of last year.

Palace Result

Palace secure a credible draw against West Brom' to stretch their unbeaten run to six games. After a poor start Palace fell a goal behind on eight minutes after Hudson's own goal - but Clinton Morrison continued his goalscoring form to extend Palace's unbeaten run to six games and deny WBA the chance to go top restoring parity on 20 minutes with a neat finish. Both sides had chances to nick the points but, on reflection, a draw is a fair result as the Palace revival under Warnock continues. A couple of weeks ago we'd have lost this game, but today we should have won. Things look to be on the up. Text nicked from EagleEye Live, edited by me.

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Match Report
Manager's Comments

Next fixture: Tue 4th Dec away to QPR

Tiny Bubbles Créche Graduation

This afternoon we went to the Tiny Bubbles Créche graduation in Chris Nissen Park. Despite the classic CNP start -very chaotic- the event was great and very well put together. Sandra directed the proceedings and there was a lot of involvement from the rest of the community. Not only did a lot of folk come to watch, but many of the older children in CNP had put dance routines together to entertain the audience.

The children who were graduating from the créche had a starring role with the girls putting on a fashion show and the boys showing off their muscles to much whooping and excitement from the crowd!

Unfortunately it was too hot in the tent and we had to leave before the graduation itself (the boys were flagging) so we don't have any photos of that. However, we know they were going to be given really nice certificates and a prize each.

Sandra was the MC for the proceedings


One of the many dance groups performing


A good sized crowd supported the event


The girls put on a fashion show...


..whilst the boys flexed their muscles


It was all a bit too much for some!


Another music and dance interlude