Trip to SA 18 February 2017 - 2 March 2017

We flew back to South Africa in February and spent a week in Cape Town.

Athol spent a day at Pinelands North Primary School ion 21 February, speaking to the various grades, teachers and parents about living a life of possibility and pushing boulders. The school is well known for it's inclusiveness and the principal and teachers are great. It's wonderful to see what is possible when a school has good leadership and resources - compared to the terribly under-resourced schools in Mitchells Plain that we work with where they are challenged by things like security. One of the teachers has adopted Athol's autobiography and has been using it in the classes for children to identify their dreams and how they are going to push any boulders that come their way - such a valuable life skill. Athol even arranged a boulder for the school to put in their beautifully decorated garden, to symbolise the idea of pushing boulders.

On Thursday 23 February 2017, I joined our READ to RISE team at Littlewood Primary School in Mitchells Plain. It was great to  meet our new Programme Facilitators Nur, Kercia and Rhondain action. It's always great to join a school visit, a reminder of the children we at READ to RISE are inspiring!

On Thursday evening, Athol had a 'A Life of Possibilities' talk at SASNEV in Pinelands. An inspirational evening.

On Friday 24 February, we launched our third class programme - Oaky the Brave Acorn - at Westville Primary School in Mitchells Plain. The Grade 2 learners got to meet Oaky in person! Athol read the story to the learners - it's a cute story about an acorn named Oaky who learns to be brave. The children loved their new books.

On Sunday 26 February, we flew up to JHB. Athol and Steve had their "Walk in Beauty" talk at the Johannesburg Country Club in the afternoon. It was a delightful afternoon of poetry. Steve launched his first book of poetry, proudly published by yours truly Theart Press :) Athol shared some of his new poems and also some from his latest book of poetry Bumper Cars. All sales from our books go directly to READ to RISE so that more children in need can get books.

On Tuesday 28 February, Athol spoke to staff at Old Mutual in Sandton about a life of possibilities. Athol was previously the Strategy Director of Old Mutual and I worked for Old Mutual as a strategy analyst for 4 years so it was nice to be back and see some familiar faces.

So a great trip back home to SA! Lovely to see family. Was also nice to get away for the Oxford winter and enjoy some sunshine :)

A Poet and Artist in Paris

We went to Paris for 4 nights 21-25 January 2017. Athol was invited to share his poetry at a reading at Berkeley Books hosted by Poets Live - the longest running English poetry event in Paris.

It's quite a bit of travelling from Oxford to Paris. First we must catch a 10 minute bus ride to the Oxford City Centre, then a 10 min walk to the Railway Station. Then catch a 1 hour fast train to Paddington Station in London, then take the underground to St Pancras Station, then take the Eurostar to Gare Du Nord in Paris (2.5 hours), then catch a taxi to our self catering apartment near Champs Elysees.

It was freezing cold even saw some sleet. Most days the max temperature was 1 degree and the nights were as low as -5! We stayed at a little self catering apartment, luckily there was an M&S and grocery shop nearby.  Champs Elysees is a posh area in Paris with boutique stores and restaurants. The Arch de Triomph is right on top.

It is tricky getting around as most people speak French. The last time we were in Paris was for our honeymoon in September 2009. This time it seemed a little easier as more people could speak English and there was even some English on the menus!

On Sunday we took the bus to Trocadero which has a square which has the most spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.

We walked to the Balzac Museum however they were closed.

On Monday we took the Metro (train) to Notre Dame Cathedral, a beautiful cathedral! Remember the Hunchback of Notre Dame???

Entrance is free to view the cathedral, so there's always a queue to enter. Worth the visit!

There is a nice little garden at the back with benches.

Just a short walk away there was Shakespeare and Co. and haven for book lovers.

On Wednesday night, Athol shared his poetry at Poets Live at Berkeley Books. Fellow poet Khalil Anthony also shared his poetry. Athol got to meet the great poet Retabile Mashilo. It was a great night!

Paris is a beautiful city!

Christmas in Oxford

As 2016 comes to end, I look back at a great year!

We visited SA 4 times this year, Athol published his autobiography Pushing Boulders, Athol won the 2016 Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award for the second year in a row!  We attended the Lowveld Poetry Festival in White River 5-8 August and the McGregor Poetry Festival where Athol read his poetry. We moved from student accommodation to private accommodation in Summertown. READ to RISE gave out over 22,000 new books to learners in Mitchells Plain and Soweto.

This week has been the coldest in Oxford so far, with minimums of -2 degrees and a max temperatures of 5 degrees! There's been frost on the trees and grass.

For Christmas, we had a nice, quiet day at home.

Merry Christmas all! or should I say 'Oxmas' :)

Yesterday, we met up with South Africans, Esme and Herschel, who are visiting. We had a lovely lunch with them at Vault & Garden.

READ to RISE: 2016

In 2016, READ to RISE conducted their programme in 446 classes in Mitchells Plain and Soweto and gave out over 22,000 new books!

www.readtorise.org