Day 149: Emily, originally uploaded by Craig is shooting.

Emily is now about 8 months old, and weights in at over 32kg. She still manages to have that really cute puppy-dog expression on her face “it is such hard work being so cute”.

Here are two of her siblings:

Eccles is Lois’ guide dog. She is a cross between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever. She has always had the gray on the muzzle, but it is starting to get a little more profound.

Cassius is the old boy of the house. Even though he is not a boxer, he is named after Cassius Clay (the boxer). He is starting to feel the cold in his bones, but he is such a lovely dog.

And since today’s pic is of Emily, we will finish off with another pic of her.

On Friday we had supper with my cousin Bruce and his wife Melissa. We met at a great  restaurant called John’s Pizzeria just of Time Square. I had forgotten how crazy Time Square is, with all the bright lights and TV screens. The screens seem to be getting bigger and bigger (and also better quality) – I would love to get one for home!

Although we had to wait about an hour before we got our table, the pizza’s were great, and in good American tradition, they were huge. Two were plenty enough for four of us to share. The highlight of the evening was to meet our new cousin, Emily. She was  on born six weeks ago, and this was her first official outing, so it was quite a treat for all. We were also the first of the Cameron side of the family to meet her!

Emily Cameron

It was not the greatest picture, but she was being really quiet and we didn’t want to disturb her, but she is really sweet!

Here is proud dad feeding her.

We had a great evening, and it was cool to catch up with some of the family in USA, and to get to spend time with my techie cousin. It is kind of bizarre that in a family of Camerons (who are generally very quite), both Bruce and I love public speaking, and are absolute techno-junkies.

Thanks guys for dinner, hope to see you next Sunday for dinner.

Look what I found sleeping in the waste-paper basket in my study today…..

Crazy cat - full of rubbish

Crazy cat!

Yesterday we celebrated Lois’ dad’s 70th birthday party at the Pomegranate restaurant at Vergenoegd wine estate. They have turned the old manor house into the restaurant, but have kept several of the rooms and lounges with the original furniture, including a wonderful old grand piano (which would be REALLY wonderful if the gave it even a little maintenance.

Piano at Vergenoegd wine estate

While having lunch, I saw the most strange thing – a duck parade! The farm has about 300 Indian runner ducks living on the farm. These ducks run through the vinyards, looking for snails and small insects to eat. This novel solution to pest control keeps the vineyards pest-free in an environmentally friendly manner.

Ducks on Vergenoegd Wine Estate

So, in the middle of lunch, about 100 ducks came marching through the outside of the restaurnant, much like a class of school children out on a school outing.

Ducks on Vergenoegd Wine Estate

They marched onto the lawns, ate everything in site (at least all the snails), and left. Thinking about it, it sounds more like varsity students than school kids.

Ducks on Vergenoegd Wine Estate

Although they are both noisy and smelly, it is kind-of cute to watch. And I was really glad that I had decided to order the fish and not the duck that was on the lunch menu!

If you get the opportunity to go to the farm, do so. It is not something that you will see everyday!

Vicky was recently placed third in the SA junior powerboat championships, after just three meeetings! Vicky is Andrew's "adopted" daughter.

Your can read all of the details below.

Go Vicky!