Fidler in the Hood: The old grey matter really does matter

ONCE more into the breach, dear friends. Many thanks to those readers who asked why visiting Argentines Alberto and Ana Chiesa would be taking tango lessons upon their return to Buenos Aires – surely they would know how to dance the tango already? Quite right too; maybe something was lost in translation? Touché.

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It does show that some ‘golden oldies’ still have their wits about them and are as sharp as ever. Recently it was pointed out that personal memories of events from decades ago are still vivid: your scribe can still recall childhood experiences and events of yesteryear; but ask about yesterday and sometimes there’s a complete mental blank. Now, where are the car keys … and glasses? On with the show.

There’s Something In The Air

One of the nicer things about living down here is the friendliness of inhabitants. We do have a sense of ‘togetherness’; out-of-towners remark on this frequently. Even recent arrivals assimilate quickly and love the Hibiscus Coast, warts and all. Enter Juan Stuart, a young man from Meyerton who arrived here last September.

‘Taking the air’ along Lilliecrona Boulevard, (and not Buenos Aires, the city of ‘good airs’) and besides an unofficial, unpaid role of rubbish collector, occasionally your scribe and the CO come across one of those concrete street signs that have been vandalised.

Such was the case the other day when a street sign had been uprooted and left lying around. While pointing out to the CO it was much too heavy for her to lift on her own (joking), a young man came to her rescue at that very moment and single-handedly lifted the street sign and reset the stone in its rightful place.

Part of the mix

The young man joined us on our walk and after thanks and introductions, we met Juan Stuart (bit of a mix there), but he explained – ‘My father’s side were Scottish; but my mother’s side of the family, the van Heerdens, are Afrikaans.’ Part of the rich tapestry of South Africa.

Juan (24) arrived in Manaba last September after a ‘lifetime’ (24 years) in Meyerton. He is training to be a certificated lifesaver, Margate beach being his patch. Always wondered what was required to become a lifesaver – besides being blonde, tall, good-looking and young? The first part of the qualification test is to swim 400m in eight minutes; then administer CPR, and know the rules and regulations on water safety.

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Home from home

Juan is typical of the younger South African generation: besides swimming, he plays rugby, cricket and golf and runs the weekly Uvongo parkrun. His father owns a game farm in Limpopo and hosts many American game tourists. Juan also has a passion for radio-controlled car racing. Perhaps he should pop along to the Douglas Mitchell Sports Club and join the South Coast Warriors rugby club – they could be on the lookout for a flanker.

And, it would be ‘home from home’ for a young guy. Eventually, Juan hopes to travel, particularly to America, and get a job, maybe as a lifesaver. For young people there are US work possibilities, including for lifesavers. Juan’s friend is in the construction business and builds roller-coasters and carousels in theme parks. Who would have thought? Juan, a belated welcome to the Hibiscus Coast.

A Night to Remember

A visit to the ‘Tintanic’ exhibit on show in the Southcoast Mall was well worth it. A true labour of love by Gino Hart, who built his own ‘Titanic’ over three years in his hometown of Villiers in the Free State. The exhibition is attracting much interest from the public. Gino has just finished reading ‘A Night to Remember’, the definitive book on the Titanic disaster by Walter Lord.

The book makes for compulsive reading and gives a ‘true picture’, compared to James Cameron’s movie. Go round and have a look, but, please, take a life-jacket. If you don’t have one, then no worries: young Juan Stuart will be there to rescue you! See you, Rob. 

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