The Cowle's world wide at Christmas time

While we all sit around the table with our loved ones enjoying the festivities, family love and sharing
a message goes out to all from the BLOG - Merry Christmas.

The first family pictures are arriving - so get yours in - right here on the blog
so far - Franky,  Tessy, Tricia, Billy ( a trail intro)  - whos next (as of  21h49 on 29 Dec - GMT)

for all the photos from around the COWLE FAMILY world wide -  click here

photos on PICASO 

THE COWLES in California

 Tessy sent all her Brothers and Sisters a lovely Christmas Card  - with LOVE
as she is layed up in bed after her HIP operation.

 Here is wishing her a speedy recovery from ALL on the BLOG
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It is out of AFRICA and in DUBAI, the Sangomoe's have spoken and even the Mampoer was there.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE COOPERS IN DUBAI

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Now, a new adventure for me in my video editing - ANIMATION.
To put my own production together in the form of a real movie I am trying new and unventured territory
mixing software of Pinacle, PowerPoint and 2D animation.
here is a taste of 3hours work - creation and editing.
LOOK OUT FOR THE FINAL PRODUCT

CHRISTMAS EVE - with the LIAM - Ouma Ria- OuBill, Tania & Andy
at Leon & Elizma's Home

FOR JUST 1 FABULOUS PHOTO SESSION

‎47 emails, 29 text/sms, 18 phone calls and 32 miles travelled  on iced roads- one hell of a family effort and we will have a lift off- hopefully before Christmas. One hell of a Christmas for 1 Grandma ( very grand) and one grand-daughter - Billy & Leon met TORI tonight for the first time - What a Lovely young lady - there is hope for the next generation, if we use this example of the YOUTH - with LOVE and Happiness for all - the EDITOR - Brother BILLY.

It was a CYBER adventure for us all and the editor got the only picture.

Billy and Tori

Just to add the caption that puts it all into prospective....

Dreaming of a White Christmas - let it snow - let it snow.

Dedicated to GRANDMA MOLLY

LET IT SNOW IN lONDON - 18/12/2010

The last time I posted about the snow here in the UK, I made a statement that "Leon said, it does not snow in SURREY or LONDON", well first of all he statement has two parts........

1. It does snow in Surrey - its a flurry in Surrey - this video is proof.

2. It does not normally snow here, this is almost the worst or even repeated snow for 50years, and the prediction that we get a White Christmas looks very promising.

Now here is something else, with more and more friends and family acquiring Iphones, Smart Phones and Ipads, loading a video straight to the blog needs a Windows PC to watch it, so with technology and the help of YOUTUBE , we can now upload and play videos on our hi-tech gadgets, hence the fact that I now load videos via YOUTUBE,........... makes sense to me anyway.

So with a PC or a Gadget you can now all enjoy the blog anyway which you prefer.

HAPPY BLOGGING

 Ria says "Hi" to everybody, if you can see her under the layers and layers of warm clothes.

 The back garden table with 5inches of snow on the top - time for a braai Andy, are you coming over.

 Molly & Lisa thought I might get to Heathrow to meet up with Tori, who landed in the snow this morning on route to Zambia for Christmas ..... don't think so. going nowhere fast.

 some lovely pictures of the GARDEN - 18/12/2010

and now the VIDEO,

LETS GO PLAY IN THE SNOW

The first Christmas message on the blog to all and sundry.

Holiday Greetings to You and Yours,

The Editor wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to all the family/friends & visitors to the blog, but it is so difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my attorney yesterday, and on his advice I wish to say the following:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted Gregorian calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make all our countries in a global world a great place to live and prosper and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:

This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and may 2011 be more prosperous and less stressful than 2010.

note: original unabridged version sent in by Carol Whitaker

The Big freeeeeeeze for us in LONDON

This is a image forecast of the week-end weather here in LONDON

16 to 20th December 2010

We're Dreaming of a White Christmas

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

For all those watching the 3rd Ashes test Down Under with 32deg C

Think of us in London please - wish you were here

The last of the first - just Ironic - the Stapelbergs Down Under

Something I just noticed tonight while updating the family b'day list the year starts with a Stapelberg (Whitaker) Jessica - 6th January and  & ends with a Stapelberg (Whitaker) Sarah - 9th December - the First and the Last - Hows that for a family record - so the next baby- ????? must be between 9th Dec & 6th Jan for this awesome find to be broken.

Now Jessica and Sarah also happen to be from the same family. Mom and Dad being Sandra Stapelberg (Whitaker) and James Stapelberg.

Congratulations to the Grandies Carol and Paul

Luv

Tessy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH - 9TH December 2010 - 10 YEARS OLD TODAY

Its a first for Westcott-Wadey on the blog with a Birthday

Yip, might be to Early for Australia, on time for Zambia, 1 hour later for SA, 2 hours later London but its on time for the US of A - its Birthday time - the first time on the 8COWLES BLOG for 

LISA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE LOT OF US

James hits the 40's with a big party

Happy Birthday Mr Stapelberg and have a cracker

This was the first picture of Paul James, Mr Stapelberg junior, by mistake, which Carol points out in her COMMENT - never mind the editor fixed his mistake. 

Scotland 21-17 to SA in the rain and cold - what a week-end

The Scots - John (Andy's Dad), Duncan and Lucy (Andy's Brother) Leon, Me and oh yes Tania and Andy went to watch the Springboks kick some Scottish butt, - but the Ref, the wind, the rain, the cold, the lack of skottle braais, kilppies, Nissan Bakkies full of cooler boxes, no sun shine at 28deg was all in Scotland's favour on the day. 
The FLOWER OF SCOTLAND was the most amazing, to stand there at the end and listen to the crowd sing was just AWESOME.
This is just a elementary side show,  feature of the whole day will be posted on www.billsparky.blogspot.com during the week, then you will see the whole thing done with bells and whistles to mark this humongous and awesome week-end with the Mitchell's in Scotland

THE FLOWER OF SCOTLAND

And something I have just added today 18/12/2010 - AMAZING GRACE - AWESOME to watch

well, it was "when I am 64" and now its 65

Mitch 17-11-2010 -- 65years young today

Bon anniversaire!

Joyeux anniversaire! 

Bonne fête! 

Happy Birthday!

Veels geluk!

 There is nothing more to say to our "Husband, Dad, Grandfather, a SON, a Brother and a freind" You have a cracker of a day mate, today we look back over the memories made over the years - with joy and laughter.

the proud man "Mitch" with his family

Many happy returns of the day to Mitch

17-11-2010

Kevin is 44 today - 17/11/2010

Where ever you are "BOET" Happy Birthday from all of us

17/11/2010

The flag of the Blog flies down under

and so the blog family grows and grows.......

Hi Bill

 

Hope all is well and its not getting tooooo cold. The weather in Dubai now is stunning and can actually sit outside and relax.

 

You have a new Blog watcher! Do you remember my friend Teresa Hall? She is now in Australia and has been there for 18 years. She found the blog and sent me a message that it was great to read and catch up with what was happening in the Cowle family - reading all the news and looking at the pics. Its amazing how this brings friends closer. Thanks to you.

Happy Birthday wishes to Adrian

Wishing all the best - and enjoy the celebrations - from all of us on the Blog

Just click below on "# comments" to send and store  your birthday wishes

And the Winner is...........................

Kay and O’dee entered the dressage competition held at the stables where O’Dee is stabled.  There were 4 in the final and "Whata girl", Kay, took the first prize even though two of them were much more experienced than her at dressage!  Doesn’t she look smart.  Nana’s are allowed to brag about their grandies, it’s their privilege. 

What A Grandie, and which Nanna would not be proud and brag about this

 We all wait and watch for more to come of this young Lady and her Horse.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and that just the beginning

Monique and Duncan went to Darwin- Down Under, for the weekend and popped
into a croc farm to see a few BABY Crocs.

 

When I saw her FACE............. Tessy said..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "Kaitlyne Whitaker" 23/10/2010

Dad, Nanna and PA must be so proud of you today on your Birthday 23 October 2010 - 3 years old today.

Happy Birthday from the 8cowles Blog and the entire family 

A NEW FUNCTION ON THE BLOG _ STARTS TODAY

To wish Kaitlyn Happy birthday - just post a comment by clicking below on the words
"POST A COMMENT" at the bottom left of the posting

This is how birthdays will be posted from now on, so friends and family can post a birthday wish to the person, then next year repeat the same, the birthday person can review year after year with the memories.

If you have a picture or video you would like to add NOW or later to anybodies birthday picture with your personal message in the future - just email it with a 1 liner or write a book who cares and the editor will add it to this birthday page and all future birthday pages. maybe a pic of yourself to be added to the birthday person page, what ever - go for it. so birthday wishes will be now streaming in, before- on the day or after - makes no difference - JUST DO IT

this page dedicated to Carol - her idea -  it can be done - the editor

A first on the blog -WOW - Sponsorship is now closed

At £28-00  it looks like the socks, post and package is all covered, so now it is upto to the EDITOR to get going and get the job done.

Tonight the editor got a skype call from one off his nephews. This has never happened before. None of the nephews or nieces have phoned into the blog. We had the most amazing conversation. This was Nicholas Baart. He was telling me all about the Premire football league and how he follows it. His mom and dad bought him a Man City jersey over the internet and delivered it to thier house. WOW he is so excited and asked me if it is at all possible to find and get him a pair of Man City socks.

Here is the deal: for every comment recieved to this blog item, the editor will sponser £2-00 towards the purchase and postage of these "SOCKS" so get out your mouse, start clicking and get your friends to comment and sponser this cause. Details and sponsership will be made public right here on the blog.

The Editor

The sponsorship now stands at £20-00 as of 23rd Sept. 2 days to go

put your comment on the blog and not on email to me.

BUTTERFLY KISSES - 11 September 2010

Many many years ago Tania bought me a CD. Tonight I used that CD as background music to the most fantastic news I have had since Liam was born.

 Andy has proposed and with my permission, as he rightfully did in the old traditional way.

WOW, lets savour the moment and wish them ALL THE BEST.

TO MY MADAMPIE

The FLAGS a new developement on the blog

Well, now we can all see who visits the blog. I have included some very important data regarding the flags.

Which country is winning, who are the leaders and how many people - AWESOME people, Family and Friends alike visit the blog.

YOU, my reporters around the world are the ARTISTS of the blog, the genius behind the scenes. I am only the EDITOR, dependant on your emails, photo's, video's and the news of your Family and Friends to share with all of us for years to come.

Have a look at the last week - bloody amazing. One thing, The UK- Union Jack does look far above but that's because I push the counter up every time I log on.  The thing is the UNIQUE visitor count. No mater how many times YOU log on, it counts, but you only become 1 unique visitor.

Makes me - THE EDITOR feel fantastic to look at these flags - WOW

check out the stats below.

Have fun - I am - lets have that news items for THE 8COWLES BLOG

or has anybody got a new name for the blog, lets have your thoughts........

a moment of Nostalga

The editor was just sitting relaxing and listening to the radio and a song played, he jumped up and said,....."Time for a blog entry", because this song is for MITCH, so here it is. I dug up some emails and some photos and dumped them onto the blog, ........ well that's just me, on the spur of the moment,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Just for Mitch........

2nd edition of 5 past 8 News ** Congratulations! - Félicitations !

ITEM-3

91 YEARS YOUNG.

Pappi Bechard

Yes Mitch's dad, turned 91, now that is some achievement and the 8cowles blog send out a loud cheer of
" For he's a JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" & so say all of us.




Joyeux anniversaire

Bon anniversaire, nos vœux les plus sincères
Que ces quelques fleurs vous apportent le bonheur
Que l'année entière vous soit douce et légère
Et que l'an fini, nous soyons tous réunis
Pour chanter en chœur : "Bon Anniversaire !"

Although he is not "Cowle" family as such, He, is I think the oldest remaining relation.

My father in law, Pappi Bechard, born 1919, turns 91 on the 29th June 2010

Wow look at the 3 - 91's in that 1919 and 91

Father to Joseph Henri Michel (Mic) Bechard

Pappi (father in law) to Teresa / Tessy Bechard

Grandpere to Genevieve Michelle Monique Bechard,

Grandpere to Mary Teresa Bernadette Conlon

Grandpere to Joseph Henri Jean - Pierre Bechard

Great Grandpere to Jessica Michelle Morgan

Best wishes - Mes/Nos meilleurs vœux

FINALLY - THE 5 PAST 8 NEWS- The Billyreena

Normally one would read the news from page 1 to the end, But here on the 8cowlesblog we read from the "BACK PAGE" backwards to the front page, the sports are so much more interesting.

Here is Carol and Paul, looking at the blog with keen interest!

                                                                                Oh! PA - what big eyes you have got

                                              ******************************************

18th JULY 2010

Frank and Charnelle have popped into the UK for a small visit and for Frank it's work, at the Farnborough Air Show. We all got together at Leon & Elizma's house for a Sunday afternoon braai. Shaun pitched up as well as Tania and Andy. We caught up on some old family history and had some good belly-laughs. The Macarena was the hi-lite of the afternoon and it brought the house down. I must say it was a bit of a shame to take the Mickey out of THE EDITOR, but he has broad shoulders and will continue to amuse the family on the blog - come what may.

You send in the material and the EDITOR will mess with it for sure. before it gets published.

Well here are two videos, 1st of the Afternoon Braai and the 2nd is the FAMOUS BILLYREENA.

MY APOLOGIES THE VIDEO DATE OF JUNE SHOULD BE JULY 2010

Please take note that all the dancers taking part must

"FOCUS"

****************************************************
Now for Item 2

World Cup Soccer and some very interesting news

on the "Special Olympics"

Monica, the only other one apart from our Kevin in South Africa. If you were watching the news last night on TV you would have seen the ‘Special Olympics’ soccer game, well a snippet of it. Jacob Zuma and Mathews Phosa where there as Debbie is part of the organization team that organizes events like these. Debbie flew to Cape Town on Wednesday for the special soccer game. The teams come from all over the world and consists of mainly mentally retarded people or physical disability that still allows them to take part in events like these. The Special Olympics head office is in America, Debbie liaises with them months before each event as it takes a tremendous amount of organizational skills. Being part of the Special Olympics and other events for the mentally retarded is a part of Debbie’s job that she absolutely loves. There is a Special Olympics office in Johannesburg that has people working there that do only that as their job. I am very proud to say that Debbie co-ordinates the Johannesburg office with the American Office and together with one other woman they make sure it all comes together in the end. Next year the Special Olympics will be held in Greece so Debbie is very excited about that. I will ask Debbie to put some photographs on the BLOG of the Soccer game played yesterday and another today.
Here are some Photos of the Whitaker clan at the Nelspruit Stadium during the World Cup
Mr Editor you asked for news so that’s my fair share…CAROL

The Burnett's and the Ritchie's, Catherine (Molly Moo), did enjoy it after all, go off to the world cup match in 'Jozi'!! For those that are not in the know, Jozi is South Africa's slang for Johannesburg. Then included in these photographs, Tam and Kay came to stay with us for a few days and went to watch one of the games held in Nelspruit at our beautiful, awesome, Giraffe
like stadium. Bafana Bafana was out so 'The Down Unders' will be pleased to see that they each painted the others face and supported Australia. To finish off our world cup news and photographs Tam and Kay went to the local Fan Park held at Bergvlam School to watch a few of the matches on the big screens and blow their 'pupazelas' - yes that's what the team from Chile,
staying in White River, called the vuvazela's. I might add that Nelspruit/White River and surrounding areas in Mbombela Municipality have benefited greatly from the infrastructure and the beautiful 3, plus some 4, lane roads. Everyone agrees that the disruption and long wait has been well worth it. Proudly South African!
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its finally here - well almost 10 past 8 on 9 July 2010

I am sure you have all had and heard the Apple hype of the IPHONE - 3G, 3GS, I4 and IPAD, well here is the 8C-PAD, and for all of you its free- just down load it and watch it - For free - right here on the 8Cowles Blog - JUST FOR YOU ALL.

The 5-past 8 news to follow............... at 10 past 8.........

Make them laugh-

Well I promised a bumper 5 past 8 news bulletin, but I had to practice some new ( for me that is) editing techniques. So here is a preview of what I have been practicing. I took some old photos and put them into a movie, the evidence is proof of a success, my first try at using this technique, so have a taste and watch what is to come in the 8 O'clock news.

Ria thought I had lost my mind, dancing in front of the video camera - doing nothing!

to all my Family and friends - with lots of LOVE

the EDITOR

its 5 PAST 8 and time for the 8 O'clock News

Yip it is a late bulletin, and well overdue, over the past three weeks I have stacked up quite a lot of items, the reason being that I have just been busy with a few odds and sods. never mind the EDITOR is back in the saddle so we will have a bumper NEWS, if you have anything to add to the NEWS then get it in the post right NOW NOW NOW and it will be added, remember, photo's, video's and a short story ( or a long one) but get it in now.

Items on the up and coming news are, Gordon turns 70, Wadey wedding, Oupa Bechard, Frank is a big chief and is coming to visit UK, Tricia is going places, Leon's back Yard, Liam is a big boy now, Billy does some garden work, Molly is in Utah, England bounce out of world cup, Summer hits the UK, Tessy well wait and see- she has promised a video, Carol will surely have something important to share, Monica - teachers always have something to say, Andy and Tania go camping with the DOGS, and lots more, and for those that missed it, a couple of missed blog birthdays, sorry Mitch has already turned 64, refer to the blog last year edition, click here if you missed it. When I'm 64.



The Editor

World Cup 2010 item 3 - LADUMA

Well I asked for World Cup photos and this one tops them all.

Santie, Ria's sister Sarah's daughter with her partner VIV.

Viv is the Blog champion Vuvuzela blower.

Kay and O'dee - the new Gonda Beatrix

Dear Editor – here are some photographs of Kayla,

she likes to be called Kay, with her beloved horse O’Dee.

Debbie took these while Kay was riding yesterday so maybe you can ask her for a story or make one up for the Blog.

Kay & O'Dee

Hey two articles for the BLOG in one day, now that’s quite something!!
Love - Carol

It is questionable if it was a Second Honeymoon

Sandra, James and Sarah went on a camping weekend recently and slept on their boat! When Dad/Grandad got to hear of this sleeping on the boat weekend he said ‘oh the Stapelbergs’ must be having a romantic evening sleeping on the boat! I said…WHAT, with Sarah around not a chance.

BUT most importantly Sandra SAID ‘Tell Dad his idea and my idea of a romantic evening are definitely not the same…

my idea of a romantic evening is a night in a 5 star luxury hotel,

NOT sleeping on a boat and having to prepare the food as well.

So here’s to

A romantic evening on the Boat for the BLOG.

World cup Soccer South Africa 2010 - RSA

This is what Debbie sent in....... Soccer fever has hit South Africa the last two weeks with a huge bang, especially in Sandton, Johannesburg. The city looks stunning with all the flags flying. A lot of the teams have arrived without incident – hopefully it stays like that. Our government has put out a strong message to the country that they will not tolerate any security incidents so let’s hope all goes smoothly. Our Gautrain will be operational within the next few days so we are looking forward to a 10 minute ride from Sandton to ORTambo airport. Beats sitting in the traffic for an hour. Our road infrastructure has been upgraded …. At times I feel like we are in Australia – our roads and major intersections are of a high international standard now – still a few road works in place but otherwise traffic flows smoothly, especially on the north rand.

I am fortunate to be co-organising the Special Olympics Unity Cup match hosted by Coca-Cola in Cape Town on 3 July 2010. This match is the first of its kind worldwide and takes place just before the FIFA World Cup Quarter Final Match. Hope to get a few photos with some of the soccer celebrities from around the world – will send photo’s if I get it right. Next year I get to go to Greece for three weeks with Special Olympics for the Special Olympic World Summer Games. How awesome….

World Cup Soccer in South Africa - 2001 - AUSSIE RULES

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OYE OYE OYE Today (Sunday) all over Australia with our newspaper
for just $2-00 we got this scarf. We have very beautiful
adverts on TV showing the wild animals and the dancing
of the Native People. Wonderful positive adverts, showing
the beautiful side of South Africa.
The South Africa we remember.

So lets have some more competitive soccer photo's