Our flight to S.A was on Spanish airline Iberia. We flew from London to S.A via Madrid. We had a 5 hour wait in Madrid before our 1.30 a.m departure to Johannesburg. We grabbed some cheap dinner and then tried to catch a bit of sleep at the airport. The armrests on the seats prevented us from enjoying any kind of comfort so we ended up on the floor as a last resort. We used 2 jerseys as pillows and lay on my suit so that we didn't permanently damage our tailbones. Time went excruciatinglyslowly! We invented a game called 1.50 Euro gifts. We made the most of the 3 Euros we had remaining and each of us set off around the airport to see what gifts we could buy for each other for 1.50. The game ended abruptly! Nothing in the airport was for less than 2.50 Euros. We settled on a Coke Zero to share. Iberia was a very old aircraft. The armrests still had ashtrays and they had 2 movies during the flight that played on old TV's with poor refresh rates that came down from the roof. We each slipped a sleeping tablet and before we knew it, we were at Oliver Tambo airport. The first thing I did was get a Fanta Grape and a T.V bar! I felt my national heritage flowing through my blood as I munched down on these proudly South African products. We were met at the airport by Kathryn and Natalie Vassiliades. They were in an urgent rush and we were immediately thrown into wedding chaos as we went directly to look for gifts to give to the guests and to Kathryn's hair trial. Kathryn's wedding concept was very interesting. 10 Days before the wedding was scheduled to happen, it was decided that they would change their engagement party to a wedding! This threw everything into a spin with family members flying from Greece, Cyprus, Australia and London to attend. They figured that if they were going to spend all that money on an engagement and all their family and friends were going to be there, then they might as well get married at the same time! I explored Woolworths while Kathryn was getting her hair done. I left with a Vodacom Sim Card and a packet of Biltong. We returned to Kathryn's apartment to relax that afternoon because that night we were due to attend a braai at the groom's house for the Bridal party and their partners. The braai was a good opportunity to meet those involved in the wedding and I quickly learnt to avoid the free pouring of tequila that they were doing directly into each others mouths.

The next day Zoë had forgotten all about security precautions in South Africa when she opened up her bedroom door only to set off the alarm. This was an effective way of letting everyone know that we needed a lift to the Airport! We were heading to Durban! In Durban, we were met by George at the new King Shaka airport. The new airport is pretty impressive! It was a strange feeling as we made our way past Mt Edgecombe and Umhlanga to George's house in Essenwood Rd which is now called Steven Dlamini Rd (A change is a good as a holiday as they say!). George offered us a hire car and Zoë and I made our way to her Uncle's wedding in Hillcrest. This was the first of two weddings that we would be attending this trip and it didn't disappoint. Zoë's family was crazy but fun and caring and the food was straight off the Masterchef T.V show. I nearly had seconds when Zoë's Uncle Bruce had to give crazy Liz the Heimlich Maneuver to dislodge the braised roast duck that was lodged in her throat. Just as well, or else it would have been two weddings and a funeral! We danced too much and drank too much and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. That night we stayed at Zoë's Aunty Katie's House. On our way home, Bruce stopped off for some pies and Tex bars. Bruce and I also made sure that we polished off a bottle of Chardonnay before retreating to bed. The house was full of animals that included snakes, hamsters, rabbits and silk worms. Zoë got cramp during the night and had been dreaming of the constrictor that she was sharing a room with. She woke fearing that the snake had escaped and got hold of her leg! True story! The next day, we explored our old home town together! We went past the new soccer stadium which is pretty impressive and visited Musgrave Centre and Gateway. It was weird seeing kids parading around the shopping centre in my old school uniform. It brought back a lot of memories!

Later that day we went to visit one of my best friends Robyn Shafto. I hadn't seen her in ages and we had lots to catch up on. We talked for a few hours at her house before making our way to her dad's new restaurant in Durban North called Café Java. We were treated to a complimentary lunch by Robyn! I had the Java Gourmet Burger! It was huge yet delicious! Later that day Wes Gormley picked me up and we went out to a place called Taca Zulu in Florida Rd. The place was pumping after the Goldfish Concert that took place at the Botanical Gardens. It was awesome seeing Wes again! All was going well until I put my seatbelt on in his car! His car had been broken into two days earlier and the burglar had damaged the latch. I had to climb out the top of the seatbelt in front of everyone at the venue! It was pretty funny! We had a good party that night and I saw Mark Perry and Martin Zietsman and Theo Pearlman were shocked to see me in Durban. I had given absolutely no notice that I would be visiting!

Zoe abandoned me in Durban on the Wednesday to go to Joburg to do the "Bridesmaid Thing". I ended up spending the majority of my time entertaining her grandmother by taking her to the clinic, shopping for stockings, to the grocery store etc… At one stage, I escaped by going to watch a movie by myself at Gateway! It was chick flick, but better than being a taxi driver! The majority of my friends work full time now, but fortunately I got to spend a lot of time with Robyn. She has her own business so she doesn't have a boss to breathe down her neck! I enjoyed it thoroughly! My friends also organized a braai at Steven Carrie's house! It was great to see everyone and to find out what everyone is up to these days! Wes is working for his Uncle's Insurance Company, Theo is in I.T, Steve is working for a Marketing Company in La Lucia and Ben Pugh Jones is managing the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. I also learned a lot of gossip of other schoolmates dispersed around the world! It was a great night and I thoroughly enjoyed my Boerewors roll with All Gold!

The following night we all went to a place a pub/restaurant in Durban North called Livingston's! We had a pretty big party for a Thursday night before saying goodbye to all my mates until the next time I see them! You know they are good mates when you don't see them for 6 years and you can pick up your conversation from the same point as where you left it!

I nearly didn't make the flight to Johannesburg! I thought I had booked the 11.30 a.m flight and George had booked Zoë's Granny on the same flight accordingly! Turns out that I was meant to be on the 9.00 a.m flight! R475 later, I was in the air on One Time Airlines on my way to Joburg. The last time I flew on One Time, I swore to myself that it would literally be the last time I flew with them! I was not very happy to have paid double to endure the bumpiest flight in history. At one stage as we were descending an alarm sounded in the Cabin. The air hostesses looked at each other uncomfortably like they had not heard that sound before and then tried to remain calm. I on the other hand was freaking out! I was going down and I had not been able to hug my family goodbye! O.K that was a little dramatic, the alarm stopped and we arrived in Joburg safely.

Zoe and I spent two nights at my grandparents house. It was great to see them and Roxy and Heidi who I had not seen for 6 years. Roxy has a grey beard!!!! We shared stories over dinner and drinks with Barry and Margie before having a warm shower and going to bed. The next day we went to Barry and Margie's house to have a braai and watch the Springbok vs Wales Test. It was amazing to see how much my cousins had grown up! Gareth wins the "Most Changed" Competition. He has facial hair now! When I left he was a baby! Crunch time was approaching! Kathryn's wedding was approaching and the bridesmaids were in crisis mode! They all had plenty to do! I accompanied Zoë to have her hair, spray tan and nails done. It was hilarious! The only salon that could give her a full set of French nails with such short notice was called Africa Salon. Zoo and I were the only white people in the whole salon! The result was good once they were finally finished! I now know Benmore Shopping Centre backwards.

The wedding went off without a hitch except that the priest was operating on Greek time. The Greek ceremony was interesting as I have never witnessed one before! The ceremony was very nice and the venue was beautiful. The wedding was held at Morrell's Boutique Estate in Randburg. George kindly booked us a room at the five star hotel. We backpacking S.A style with Butlers and people on hand to iron your shirts when required. It was amazing! The speeches were sincere and funny and the party followed! There was lots of greek dancing, food and booze. Only one person didn't get the memo that breaking plates was not welcomed at this particular greek event. The bride and groom looked very happy together as they shared their first dance as husband and wife. Unfortunately Zoe and George didn't get to enjoy the hotel. They had to leave at 3.30 a.m to make their way to the airport to get to Durban! I enjoyed a well deserved luxurious sleep-in in 18 degree air-con followed by a full farmhouse breakfast!

Tomorrow I will get to see the Rex Family. Alan is hosting a braai at his house for the whole family to attend. I am looking forward to seeing Granny Rex and all my Uncles, Aunts and Cousins.

I owe my dad a big thank-you for making my life in S.A easier! He kindly donated me some of his hard earned rands! It will be hard to leave here to go back to London! We have been spoilt and thoroughly looked after!