Merry Christmas and happy holidays

Everyone in "the Carr house" would like to wish visitors to the blog, family and friends a happy festive season.

Only a week of work to go until our end of year holiday kicks off. We cannot wait...

Our plans:

We will be arriving in the Eastern Cape on Sunday 17 December, will be in and around East London/Gonubie/Stutterheim/Cozy Rock until the 29th when we fly down to Cape Town for Bruce and Nadine's wedding and then back up to EL for a few days before heading back to Jhb on the 4th of January for Pete and Tarryn's wedding on the 6th. If you are in any of those areas please get in touch (0825675299). We are looking forward to catching up with everyone and enjoying the pace of life in the E Cape again...

Lawrence has decided not to go back to Mozambique for Christmas this year and will be in Jhb and Elsie will also be staying around Gauteng but both will enjoy some well deserved time off to reflect on 2006. Bailey will also be staying in Jhb amongst friends.

Travel safely and have a good one.

Merry Christmas from the Carr house.

The Lion and Rhino Park

Yesterday was another gorgeous day here in Gauteng, so after a long swim in the pool, we decided to take Josh to see the animals at the Lion and Rhino Park, about 40 mins North of us. He thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the animals and it was a very worthwhile outing. Even getting pecked by a big bird didn't deter his enthusiasm!

Christmas comes early for Newton...

Nothing beats the feeling of giving, however insignificant the thing is...

Newton Simkonda is a waiter at Dar es Salaam's Holiday Inn, the hotel I stay in whilst travelling there for work. Whilst having dinner there on my last trip in October, Newton came over and introduced himself to me because I was wearing an Arsenal golf shirt.

Newton is a huge Gunners fan. He has read Nick Hornby's "Fever Pitch" and could remember the days of Adams, Bould, Wright and "Ooh Aaagh" Ray Parlour. Newton wanted to buy my shirt from me because (a) you cannot get authentic Arsenal gear in Tanzania and (b) the prices of what is on offer are sky high. Rather then give him the shirt off my back and upset the other diners with my potbelly I promised to return with an Arsenal gift on my next visit.

Unfortunately Newton was on leave on my return to the Holiday Inn last week so I presented the Thierry Henry playing shirt to Newton's manager, Ivan. Ivan put a call through to Newton there and then and he was pretty chuffed with the shirt, saying that his Christmas had come early...