Cooler but humid day!…Whew!…Busy day with the family!…

 

What a difference a day can make! We awoke this morning to much cooler weather, and what a relief it was. The humidity and dew point had dropped considerably, and the air no longer felt thick and oppressive. After several days of sweltering temperatures, it was wonderful to step outside and take a deep breath without feeling as if we were walking into a sauna. Hopefully, this cooler weather will stick around for a while. We could certainly use a break!

Tom and I headed back to our regular house a while ago to pick up my denture cream for my temporary teeth. Yep, you read that correctly. Two more of my temporary teeth fell off last night, and there was no way I was going out and about today looking like a “snaggle tooth.” Ugh! This has become such an annoying situation, and I am counting the days until November 20, when I can finally get my permanent upper teeth.

Right now, the only thing that seems to hold the displaced temporary teeth in place is denture cream. Unfortunately, it only lasts a few hours before they begin to loosen again. When I eat, I have to remove them, enjoy my meal, then reinsert them with another application of cream. It’s hardly an ideal situation, especially when we are out socializing or visiting restaurants. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do about going to Jabula tonight. I certainly don’t want to spend the evening worrying about whether my teeth will stay in place while talking to our friends!

Last night, I didn’t join Tom, Paulette, and Colleen at Jabula. My feet and ankles had become so swollen from the heat that I couldn’t even get my shoes on. That was frustrating, especially when I would have loved to spend the evening with everyone. Yesterday, we drove back to the house to drop off most of the food we had brought here and pick up my compression socks. What a difference those socks made!

After getting back to Khaya Umdani, I stayed in bed, enjoying the air conditioning with my feet elevated. Between that and the compression socks, I noticed a considerable improvement. This morning, with the cooler temperatures, my feet and ankles are much better. It is amazing how much heat can affect the body, especially when you spend so much time outdoors in this climate. I was happy to have a quiet evening to rest, although I certainly missed being out with everyone.

Soon, we’ll be heading to Komatipoort for lunch at Shawu Restaurant, which overlooks the Crocodile River. It’s always lovely to enjoy a meal with a view, and we hope Paulette and Colleen will enjoy both the food and the scenery. After lunch, we’ll take them around to show them more of this interesting little South African town. We’ll also make a stop at the pharmacy to pick up a few items we need.

Komatipoort is a small border town with its own character, and there is always something interesting about introducing visitors to the places we have come to know during our many stays in this part of South Africa. Although it isn’t large, it serves an important purpose for residents and visitors alike, with shops and services that make life here more convenient.

It has been wonderful having Colleen and Paulette here with us. We love sharing our experiences in the bush, introducing them to the wildlife, taking them to our favorite restaurants, and enjoying all the conversations and laughter that come with having family visiting. There is something special about seeing a place we love through the eyes of someone experiencing it with fresh enthusiasm.

Of course, there are always a few unexpected challenges along the way, whether it’s the oppressive heat, swollen feet, or temporary teeth that refuse to cooperate! We take these things in stride, although I must admit that I will be very happy when my permanent teeth are finally in place.

For now, we’re enjoying the cooler weather, looking forward to lunch overlooking the river, and making more wonderful memories with our family, and then back to Jabula tonight. That’s what these visits are all about, and we’re grateful to have this time together in our beloved African bush.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 7, 2016:

There won’t be a ten-year-ago photo here today while we are still at the Khaya Umdani until Sunday.