Close of a Chapter.

Im currently sat in the aeroplane with lots of snorers around me, and thought when better to write my final blog! As usual I'll pick up from where I eft up, and for the last ever time I'll just apologise for being so slow in updating you all!

Monday 5th March Maggie left us to head back to Germany! It was a sad day and the children and tshepo ya bana team were all stood at the gate waving her goodbye, very emotional as you can imagine. But you just have to keep the childrens spirits up and occupied. The next few days were also my last few days as Thursday 8th I was due to also leave!

Wednesday evening was when the waterworks began and I was an emotional wreck till I was on the plane the next day. I put all the children and babies to bed each all for the very last time and I cant tell you how hard it was knowing I will never see them again or do this again. I decided I didn't want to warn the toddlers about my departure but rather thursday morning tell them Auntie Gemma is going on an aeroplane on holiday, and when they ask me if I will be coming back (which is always their first question) I must just say no.

So thursday morning came and I was up at 6oclock to go to the main house to say goodbye to the bigger boys. I gave them all a hug as they left for school that morning and held it together until the car drove off, then I also had to say an emotional goodbye to Kirstin as she left for work!

So by 8oclock I realised I must go down to the cottage and pack quickly as I was leaving around 10.30am. At 9oclock I came straight back up to spend time with the kids and play around blowing bubbles and on the jungle gym. I have to tell you, one boy there called Neo stole my heart from the moment I held him back in July when he was 6 weeks old. He was my baby, it was quite funny- whenever Neo would cry all the toddlers would come and say "Auntie Gemma, your baby's crying!!". Which always put a smile on my face. SO the last hour I spent with him alone and put him down for his morning nap.... undoubtedly hardest thing in my life was to say goodbye, saying goodbye to everybody there.

Mark, Chris, Nchlanchla and I left to Pretoria for they needed to do some bed shopping (in prep for the move) and then we all sat at lunch and had KFC before dropping me at the gautrain station to go to the airport. Another emotional goodbye as I watched them drive off.

But now I had to dry my eyes and keep my chin up so I could enjoy my 2 week holiday before heading home! So Thursday I arrived around 5oclock in Bloemfontein and was greeted by Auntie Lorna and Neacail! They are part of Mark and Chris's family whom I met over christmas and was invited to come stay. What an incredible family they are. Uncle Mark, Auntie Lorna, Joanke, Neacail and Lauric.

Since they are homeschooled that friday they had to do a biology lesson where we had to dissect lungs and also a cows eye, so that was interesting! And then in the afternoon we all sat playing guitar and singing and chatting away (even fitted in a cheeky nap!). That evening I went with Neacail to his youth group which was good fun also. Saturday was Neacail's birthday party as he turns 17 on the 16th March. So since it was a 'pudding party' where he invited about 10 of his friends, we spent mostly all day in the kitchen baking! It was a great laugh, chatting lots and messing around. By 7 oclock everyone arrived and it was such a greta evening Neacail really enjoyed it! And I felt so blessed to be able to join them all (And again we whacked the guitars out!).

Sunday I joined them at their weekly fellowship, instead of attending a church they meet in a friends home with around 20-30 of them, and that morning Neacail, Lauric led the worship and I also sung with (singing a new song they had taught me also). Then we had a lovely lunch together and ended up chilling watching a movie. Then because they know I love art they took me to Bloemfonteins art gallery which was great! And then we all sat outside on the grounds on a blanket drinking coffee and chatting, kicking a football around etc.

Monday was my last day as my flight left around 6oclock. But we spent the morning going to a history museum in Bloemfontein (unfortunately as I write this I dont have the name of it with me!) and we learnt all about the history of south africa over the last hundred+ years. It was very interesting and we spent a good couple hours there. At 12oclock we all went to the mall and to a restuarant called Cape Town Fish Market.

Then we returned home and playing guitars by the pool and chatted again etc. and I packed up my stuff. The flight to Cape Town went fine so arrived around 7 in the evening. Feel so very fortunate and grateful that the Warton family were willing to offer me their home again! I wasnt sure how long I was due to stay as I hadnt booked my flight to Jo'burg yet but I knew I had a good week to enjoy atleast! It was full of adventure, most days I went out on the Metro early morning and spent the day somewhere doing something! Things i did included: 2 art galleries in cape centre and the south african museum, green market square, walk around the waterfront, a day at Simons Town (where there was a navy and air festival!), visit to Kalk Bay and Muizenburg and St James beaches and of course Fish Hoek. There was even at shark at Muizenburg so we all got called out the water but they lost sight of it so couldnt go back in for hours! I also did a lot of walking along the main costal road, including a beautiful 2 hour walk saturday mornin from Kalk Bay to Simons Town.

That tuesday I decided to book a flight to Jo'burg and the spend the last 4/5 days in Gauteng. Tuesday my flight was due to leave at 12.20 and Mama Sarah veyr kindly dropped me at the airport. Flight was a little bit turbulent I must say but arrived safely to be greeted my Louise and Kevin! A lovely couple Kirstin introduced me to out here and they offered to pick me up and chill at their thats afternoon! So we had a good catch up and they even made Nachos! Have seen them quite a lot in South Africa so was sad to say goodbye but I'm sure I'll be coming back this country anyway! They very kindly dropped me again the gautrain which meant I could travel into Centurian where another friend was to meet me (I've been so spoilt!).

Arrived at Centurian station at around 7oclock and Tommy met me there, I was to stay at his home with his family for 2 nights. They are a great bunch of people, very Africanse and his father was hilarious! Tuesday evening we went out to one of his friends birthday partys where they were braaiing etc. met lots of cool people and chatted (which included sending Temba in the pool as he lost a round of Rock Paper Scissors!!). Then we left aorund 10.30 and went to Menlyn Square in Pretoria where there are some nice chilled places you can sit and have a drink. Then the next day it was public holiday! Great timing hey because it meant Tommy had the day off work to do things. His friends were having a party on the Varsity sport's grounds! So arrived around midday and slowly lots of people started arriving! We were all chilling on blankets in the shade and begun a huge braai.

By 3.30pm we were getting ready to leave as we were going to see a live cricket match! I was dead excited as Ive never seen live sports or cricket!! But by the time we arrived and had bought our tickets and found some good seats, we watched the team score a few 4 pointers before the thunderstorm hit! Huge clouds and rain, which is great when it;s been so hot all day but not when you wanna see a live cricket match! We hung around for about an hour to see if it would blow over but it wasn't so we headed home. We just chilled in the evening chatting to his parents and ended up all watched television and then a movie.

Thursday everybody was working, so I had to day all to myself which was rather strange when your in somebody's home! But they have a guitar and spent a lot of time sketching and drawing which was great to get back to the things I love!! But I had spoken to Briony and since she au pairs in the afternoon she came and picked me up at 1oclock and we took the children to Irene Farm! It was great it was free to go in and there were lots of chickens, ducks, cows and baby cows that could come lick your hands. The girls loved it and the grounds were so beautiful. Then she dropped me back at Tommy's so I culd pack my bags and say goodbye to the family that evening. But before leaving we jammed ont he guitar and jumped in the pool! And when I mean jump, I mean climbed the wall by the pool and jumped off it!! Was so sick! Had so much fun but the water was freezing! Then sadly it was about 7oclock and I had to say another goodbye.

And onto the next amazing set of people that are really set in my hearts now, Auntie Carey, Briony and Kendall! That thursday evening we had a lovely supper (Ken still at hostel at shcool till friday) and then me and Bri ended up falling asleep on the couch! NExt morning Briony had college from 8-12pm so I spent the morning with her mum we went shopping and got froxen yogurt and chatted. Was really enjoyable and were home by 12. Then I went again with Briony on her au pairing job, we collected the girls and took them to ballet class so cute! We were actually finished by 2.30 so that was great! Then we went backt o hers and saw Kendall and I took the opportunity to jump straight into the pool for the very last time! Tried to get their dog Alfie in too, quite amusing, I love that dog.

Then that evening Briony and Auntie Carey were going to see a show at Pretoria Girls High as sadly the tickets got mixed up (they meant to go tuesday). But it was fine as Kendall and I enjoyed a lovely supper together - she cooked me vegetable bake and chicked :) and then we chilled and chatted and then I began getting ready as we were going to Menlyn Square for my last night. So Briony's partner Levi picked me up at 9.30pm and we met Bri there and then also her other friends too. Then I spoke to Cameron and he was also out at Menlyn so I went and met up with him too. Had a great last night, Levi Bri and myself then left around 1oclock and got some stodgy food. (8million Bacons... private joke!).

Saturday. My last ever day. Sadly the family, besides Cameron, were all busy going to a wedding about 3 hours drive away. So they left in the morning and after an emotional goodbye Levi dropped me at Cam's place. Since I was now in Hatfield, 2 other volunteers at TYB left the day before and went spending the weekend relaxing in pretoria before they head to Malawi this monday morning. So Cameron was very sweet and drove so we could all meet up and us girls went and got lunch and walked around the malls and sat and had a drink in the 'Oxford' pub at Hatfield Square. Was amazing to see the girls again, they had been at TYB since end of January and meant I could hear all about the children and the move etc. since Ive left and we all got along really well as friends so just had a great laugh. Not only have I got to visit SA again, and Germany to see Maggie, but also now Amsterdam haha!

Then Cameron came picked us up, said goodbye to the girls and I went back to his to take a quick shower and chill before my flight!!! Was getting pretty anxious to say the least by this point, but I knew the time would come. My flight was due to be at 8.15 flying with SAA, so Cameron dropped me at the station in plenty of time and we departed. But as if I wasnt dreading the flight enough, then from being there since 6oclock we all see the 'delayed' sign appears. Lots of planes seemed to be delayed but ours did not have a new expected time of departure. The hours passed by and I was getting tired, and of course we were all hungry too as I hadn't eaten since 12oclock after expecting supper on the plane (and worked it out so I had no more Rands).

I just stood there as I hate sitting in the airport for hours knowing that I'll be sat on a plane anyway for the next 11 hours, my phones battery started running low but was able to chat to a few people and update them of the delay. Atleast it kept my mind of the actual sadness of leaving! Haha. So by 12.45 we hear a call to say it is now ready to board!! They said that the catering company who supplies all their food and water have been on strike so no water etc. on the plane..... But anyway so we were sat on the plane by about 1oclock but they were still coming through with trolleys of water for the next 15 mins. Then after the breif and saftey instructions I think we actually had lift off at about 1.45am.

It is now 9 oclock in the morning South African Time and we've been told it will be expecting to land around 12.15pm. I believe the clocks changed in England today so I think that will be around 11oclock GBT. When I message my dad last night I said 'Maybe South Africa isn't ready to let me go yet! Maybe its a sign I should stay! haha' and his response: 'Or its just a sign that we should have a lie in tomorrow'. BRILLIANT!

Anyways they just about to serve tea and coffee, havent been able to sleep very well but regardless I can sleep at home. Going to be a hectic day I think meeting and greeting family shortly and all my friends tonight!

Just want to say a short message before I say goodbye: Thankyou to every single person who has been reading this blog, it means a lot to think that people actually care what Im doing, and especially raise awareness of the work they do at Tshepo Ya Bana. Thankyou to everyone who has taken time to email and message me, as you may have seen Im useless at keeping up to date with everything and for that I apologise, something I must work on when I travel next!

I feel so blessed to have experienced all the things I have in the last 8+ months, and met some incredible people along the way. I wouldn't change a thing. A message to all those in South Africa who have cared for me, housed me, and well basically put up with me - thankyou and well done! Haha. Take care and I have you all my hearts, and hope to see you again some day soon!!!!

(Oh dear, this is weird.) Farewell all, Bon vogage, Au reviour, CHOU!