We met Antoinette and Winston in December 1993 when we had a sailboat in Port Owen, Velddrif, on the west coast of South Africa and we have been friends ever since. They are just soooooo amazing and we are privileged to have them as friends. Oh yes, and their kids are deeevine too! And the doggies too!

We hadn’t seen them for 13 years and when I rang up on a Saturday and said can we come by for a quick coffee on the Sunday. They said, NO, but definitely come by for a long braai and a sleepover. Now that’s what I call friendship. So we arrived in Hermanus on Sunday morning, 2 hours early and fell into one another’s arms as though we’d never been apart.

They had been busy since we last saw them, and daughter number two was there to meet us too. Daughter number one had grown up a lot in the last 13 years, surprise surprise, and both girls said they couldn’t believe that we hadn’t seen each other in so long as we just picked up where we left off, as though we had never been apart.

We had the most amazing braai (that’s a barbecue in South Africa) and drank and chatted and walked on the beautiful beachfront and chatted and laughed and went to the yacht club and chatted and drank and laughed…okay, I think you get the message. A great time was had by all!

My beautiful friend Antoinette is not just smart, loving, kind, self-motivated to do anything she puts her mind to, she is also the bravest person I know. She was diagnosed with Scleroderma 2 years ago and is fighting this dreadful autoimmune disease. And she’s making improvements nobody thought possible! If anybody can beat this disease, it’s you my friend!

Scleroderma causes, amongst other problems, hardening of the skin. Antoinette has managed to retain her sense of humour in spite of all the hardships she faces and said that at least she won’t get wrinkles! You look great girlfriend! Please keep fingers crossed that she’ll get totally better and send loads of love her way everyone.

We were really sad to leave Winston, Antoinette, Sheila and Isabel and hope to see them sooner than the last time. 13 years it isn’t going to be again. We love you guys and miss you all lots and we’re looking forward to the next braai together again!!!