Marlene &
Michelle
are taking the plunge and
Moving
to Uruguay!
Follow us on our journey
How it all began...
Since 2003, when I first heard about the small country tucked away in South America, I've been fascinated by Uruguay.
I was instantly charmed by its culture, its cities, and stunning landscapes. I vowed that one day I would visit.
My first visit was in 2016 and I fell even more in love with Uruguay. My eldest sister went with me and also loved the people and the country. I couldn't wait to go back and take Michelle with me.
In 2019 I visited Uruguay again, with Michelle, my mom and younger sister. After that trip I had no doubt that I wanted to make Uruguay our home!
We stayed in Uruguay for two weeks, and during that time, explored as much of the country and its culture as possible.
What made the trip awesome was the special connection Michelle also felt with the people and the land.
She loved the laid-back lifestyle, the friendliness of the people, the peacefulness of the culture. And... the great internet :-)
She knew in her heart that Uruguay was a place she could call home.
Now, in 2023, after two decades of hard work, we can finally make the dream a reality.
Sunday Jan 1, 2023
It's the first day of 2023, and we're only in Westbrook for 3 more months.
We'll be going to Gauteng in February to spend some time with the family, so a busy time ahead...
We now have to seriously start planning.
The Year Ahead -
What I want to achieve in 2023...
It’s the start of a new year, and for many people, this means setting new goals and planning for the future.
For me, my goal is to make something special of this year. It won't always be easy, of course, but I am determined to make it happen.
I know I’ll have to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore new opportunities that will allow me to grow and develop.
I’m ready to take risks and make mistakes.
I’ve learned to be comfortable taking risks and to accept that failure is part of the process.
I’m ready to take chances and find out what I am capable of.
Most of all, I’m ready to truly take control of my future.
So, in 2023, I am going on a journey to seek out new experiences, take on new challenges and start a new life.
I’ll travel to unfamiliar places and push myself to new physical and mental limits.
I’ll make friends with people from different backgrounds and cultures, which will open my eyes to the world around me.
Along the way, I’ll discover courage that I never knew I had.
I want to gain a new appreciation for life and learn to trust in my own abilities and truly believe in my dreams.
I want to look back at 2023 and say:
By the end of 2023, I want to accomplish so much more than I ever thought possible.
"I’ve created my own destiny and taken control of my own future. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
I had made something of this year."
Monday Jan 2, 2023
Took some effort to get going again...
We're working on new projects, so after relaxing the week between Chrismas and New Year, today was busy!
Tuesday Jan 3, 2023
Think I can safely say the holiday rush is over.
We went to Ballito this morning to get a few essentials (think cat food), and the mall was empty.
The main beach road that looked like big city rush hour a week ago, was quiet.
Freight ships are still lining up from the other side of Ballito and you have to feel sorry for them. Who knows how long they still have to wait.
Cosco Shipping has been lying here for nearly a week...
Today was quite busy, but I also spent some time looking at latest living costs (still okay!) and long-term accommodation (through Air BnB) in Uruguay.
I'm amazed at what is available!
Amazing places in Punta for very reasonable rents, and then some seriously dodgy looking places (all over) for ridiculous rents.
I think some (new) people are just jumping on the bandwagon and hoping they'll get people to pay that :-)
Wednesday Jan 4, 2023
One of those days where I felt like a headless chicken. So many things to do, I couldn't decide where to start! Maybe because I would rather spend the day looking at stuff in Uruguay :-)
Thursday Jan 5, 2023
Feeling like that usually leads to procrastination, but surprisingly enough, I got a lot done.
I love the sound of rain, so look forward to listening to it tonight when I lie in my bed. Hoping we don't have a repeat of the April floods... Michelle is already a nervous wreck...
Well, it's Friday and the weather makes me very lazy but I've had so much fun today! I love playing with my new toys.
Friday Jan 6, 2023
Can you believe it... I created this background picture with my new toy :-)
On the next page you can see a video I created too! My 1st try and I'm very proud of it! Isn't my spokesman just the cutest!
Saturday Jan 7, 2023
Everything very slow today, so not able to show off my latest videos :-( Will do it tomorrow
Things went a lot smoother today, and since I try to not really work on Sunday, I'm happy!
Sunday Jan 8, 2023
The previous video was just the 1st sample (draft) of Video 1.
I'll add a link to all 6 videos soon
Got so much done today!
Must be the weather...
Monday Jan 9, 2023
I finished all the videos!
There will definitely be improvements and I need to add intros and outros, but this is a start :-)
Any feedback welcome!
Got nothing done today!
Full story coming soon...
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Thanks to a trip to the eye doc...
Workwise today was a total writeoff. But... at least now I'm booked for my cataract op for Wed 18th.
All confirmed with a little card from the doc's office :-)
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
SA is now on Stage 6 load shedding until further notice...
Unlike other areas who have to suffer through 3 times a day for sometimes as long as 4.5 hours... Every day!
We are 'lucky' as we're still only affected once (at the most twice) a day for 2 hours at a time. And not even every day.
EISH...
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
I was quite a productive little bee today. Completed the draft for a whole micro course today!
It's 4418 words - So not too shabby :-)
Friday Jan 13, 2023
Today is hot,
but there is such a lovely wind blowing,
it keeps everything nice and cool.
Got a bit wild, and Michelle's one window blew out!
It's now on the patio roof, waiting for the handyman to come and fix it.
Fortunately the glass didn't break!
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
Michelle's window is fixed.
I managed to clean my bedroom and the office windows, during the 6 - 8 loadshedding, so at least feel as if I didn't waste the time.
but there's hardly a breeze
so it feels hotter...
Today is (supposedly) not as hot as yesterday,
First day in a while I had to use the
Sunday Jan 15, 2023
So what's happening with Eskom...
No matter the stage of load shedding we face, it’s time South Africans protest against Eskom
Opinion by Taariq Halim • Yesterday 10:16
What stage of load shedding is it today? Does it even matter anymore to long-suffering South Africans who have become insulated to the new normal of being powerless?
This week, Eskom once again switched to Stage 6 load shedding – meaning three to four outages for up to eight hours a day.
Nothing new, we went through it in 2022, so it’s more of the same in 2023.
“Seven units tripped ... of which three have returned to service. In addition, the return to service of three other units has been delayed. Unit 1 of Matla Power Station will be shut down to repair a boiler tube leak,” Eskom said.By now, the explanations have become abstract and inconsequential.
Once again, all we can do is sigh and resign ourselves to our daily dose of darkness.
Citizens no longer get worked up, curse and vent their frustrations on social media like they used to. It’s a waste of “energy”, which evidently is in short supply.
This is the nature of South Africans. We are a resilient people, we know what it is to struggle.
However, we also know how to protest – against poor service delivery, corrupt leadership and racism.
Today feels much more bearable thanks to the
Why can't SA do this?
Turkey is Breaking Ground on an Incredible Clean Energy Project
Turkey will soon be home to the world’s largest tidal power station! The 77 megawatt system will generate clean energy thanks to the endless power and generosity of the sea.
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Eco Wave Power (EWP), a Swedish-based firm, will kick off this exciting new pilot project with a $150 million power station.
If their proposed solution is successful, not only would it be Turkey’s first wave energy station, it would be the biggest in the world.
What is Wave Energy?
Let’s back up a second and talk about what wave energy actually is.
Wave energy is a type of renewable energy that can be used as an alternative to traditionally used fossil fuels.
By harnessing the motion from ocean waves, it can generate electricity with absolutely no harmful emissions or waste.
But they won’t stop there. There are plans for a potential nine of these clean energy stations across the country.
Lovely Breeze today
However, it’s not that simple.
Scientists have been working on perfecting wave energy for nearly 200 years!
Like other renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, the amount of wave energy harnessed depends on wave height, speed, length and density – all of which are unpredictable.
But thanks to advancements in technology and research, it is well on its way to being a dependable source of energy for larger cities.
In the case of Turkey’s wave energy station, the rising and falling motion of the waves will power hydraulic pistons that will be anchored to a structure, such as a seawall or jetty.
This will then power a turbine on land which will send the 100% clean energy to the people of Turkey.
What are the benefits of wave energy?
There are many benefits to using wave energy as a source of power. Here are just a few:
- Clean energy: Unlike fossil fuels, wave energy does not produce harmful emissions or contribute to climate change. This means that we can generate electricity without compromising the health of our planet.
- Reliable energy: The ocean is a vast and powerful force, and the waves it creates are extremely consistent. This means that wave energy can be a dependable source of electricity, even in areas where other renewable energy sources may not be as effective.
- Minimal land use: Wave energy systems can be placed in the ocean, which means they don’t take up valuable land space that could be used for other purposes.
- Job creation: As more and more countries invest in wave energy, it is creating new jobs in fields like engineering, manufacturing and maintenance. This can help boost local economies and improve people’s lives.
Wave energy is a promising technology that can help us generate the electricity we need in a clean, reliable, and sustainable way. With many benefits like these, it’s no surprise that it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for countries around the world!
Source: https://www.freetheocean.com/journal/turkey-is-breaking-ground-on-an-incredible-clean-energy-project/
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
I've completed all the main videos for the micro course.
Still have to do the intros and outros and then final editing
Very HOT, but fortunately a nice, fresh wind kept us cool...
Then, the big job of putting the site together.
Fortunately, once it's done, I'll have a template for future projects.
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Not sure how quickly I'll be back at the laptop.
Today is D-Day.
I'm having my eye op (if all goes well)
After 8 months I can't wait!
Looks like it's going to be a scorcher!
I'll be relaxing in a cool hospital room for most of the day...
Thursday Jan 19 to Friday Jan 27 , 2023
Went for checkup at eye doc this morning and all is well. She's very happy with my eye's progress :-)
I manage to get some work done, but everything is much slower than usual.
I will only record temps etc. for the next month or so, and only do daily updates when there's something important to talk about.
Not able to use my glasses and can't go for a new pair until the end of Feb... so battling with a 'generic' pair from Clicks. Eyes get very tired, very quickly.
No worries, once I get my new glasses, it will feel like having new eyes!
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