Moving forward...

... or should that be the circle expands?

I don't know how many of you have been waiting to hear the stupendously exciting news I have, but here it is... :)

Whilst talking to our daughter on the phone about 5 weeks ago we were informed that our grandson would be attending the local school near us as of the start of the new school term on the 15th July 2013.

WHAT?

Whhhhhhhhhhy?

Because DD, WGuy and MKid were leaving Johannesburg and moving down to start building their futures on their plot over the sand road from us :)

Yeeeeeeeeeeeha!!!

They have moved because:

They want a better environment for MKid to grow up in - where peer group pressure is not as materially motivated and where he is able to play outside after 5.00 p.m. (can you believe that the complex where they live recently had to impose this curb on all children living there because a number of the other selfish and thoughtless inhabitants, even after installing speed bumps to prevent speeding, were still driving dangerously fast between the bumps).

They were finding that the Johannesburg traffic, and behaviour of certain drivers, had become even more impossible than it was before - with those certain drivers ignoring 99% of the rules of the roads or the purpose of traffic lights - sometimes even right in front of Traffic Officers who are sitting on the road side with the speed camera's, and who just turned their heads the other way.

In addition, the infrastructure is falling to pieces - we all know about the electricity blackouts, but apparently the other services (water & sewerage), and the maintenance thereof, is also falling by the wayside.

They want to achieve more in their lives than an 8 - 5 job.

Both DD and WGuy have found that in recent years that the people living in Gauteng have become increasingly unfriendly and impersonal - self-centered - with everyone seemingly feeling more important that the next, and they feel that there is no common courtesy left. 

They want to slow down time - to ensure that days are more rewarding, and more meaningfully spent.

And they want become more self-sufficient - not only in providing whatever they are able for their table, but also insofar as their electricity is concerned - they already have the basics of their solar system, and they will grow that as they require it.

We were waiting at the gate, and MKid was
so excited that he had to run down
the rest of the sand road to greet us -
welcome exercise after a 18-hour trip,
I'm sure

They arrived at 2.40p.m. last Saturday - carrying what they need for the next three weeks until the rest of their boxes and furniture arrives.  So - we have 3 very welcome house guests - DD, WGuy and our precious MKid - plus Baby who is due in December :D

They will be staying with us whilst they build their house - happily we have the space, and plenty of useful advice / personal experience and contacts to share with them.

"Oh Yes!  Oh, cool!"
MKid made a beeline for the jetty (dock)
Reckon it's going to be his and RMan's
favourite summer spot

We're very, very happy.

Full circle.  We developed our lives on our smallholding to illustrate to our children that one could be more than comfortable and content whilst demanding less of this planet, and with less unnecessary material possessions, and they are now willingly embracing our way.  What more could parents ask?

I don't mean to sound high-and-mighty, or in any way superior, but I reckon that RMan and I are living proof that even only two people can make a difference through the example they set - imagine what could be achieved if everyone did?  Proof to all those naysayers who say that one person cannot create meaningful change on Mother Earth.  Ripples always expand outwards :)

Happy Days :)

Btw, DD (aka Natasha) and MKid (aka Mike) have decided to start their own blog - in order to share with their friends upcountry and also to document their journey towards a gentler way of life and their personal self-sufficiency.  I'll give the link as soon as they have it up and running... :)