A mixed bag

This post is a mixture of events of the last few weeks. The main news is that Paula broke her lower left leg during an indoor bouldering session, as a result of a very unfortunate landing on a soft mat. It is a serious fracture, which requires a long rehabilitation time. Paula has been in surgery and a metal plate has been fixed to support recovery. As a consequence Paula is back home as she can do very few things by herself; she will be bound to crutches and a wheelchair for weeks. She has been back to university being taken there and back by Mary, granddad and our neighbour Wout. Key for Paula is patience, which is understandably difficult for a very active and independent 21 year old.

Dorien went on a 'Slopend' outdoor trip in the Belgian Ardennes, surviving a rainy early March weekend in pouring rain. They made long walks and slept under a tarpaulin, tied to trees, and chopped wood for their 'homemade' fires to cook. And enjoying it!

Piet went back to Namibia for some meetings. Highlight was a visit to a drillship on the way back in Cape Town; this is a giant, very modern drilling unit, integrated in a ship. It is currently 'hot stacked', which means it is kept operational, but is not involved in active drilling.
This trip was followed by Piet's participation in the CPC (City-Pier-City) half marathon, the largest  yearly event in The Hague. Due to a small, but nagging groin injury he was unable to train much, but using his background physical condition and some perseverance he managed to finish just a few seconds above 2 hours. So there is the challenge for next time!

Paula was able to walk with Beau in the park 

Dorien (top, second from left) in the Ardennes

Sign at the Windhoek hotel Piet was staying

Typical Windhoek

View on Cape Town from the drillship 

Paula and Mary are watching the CPC 

 Piet doing well during the CPC