Fidler in the Hood: We’re busy doing nothing, we never have any time

CHEERS, mates. A case of the week that got away: much too fast, and so much going on. On with the show.

The social week got off to a good start with the monthly Moondeckers soiree kicking off at 4.30pm.

The moon was out there somewhere, but only appeared in all its glory just as dusk was setting in.

ALSO READ : Fidler in the Hood: Around The World in 180 Days with ‘Irene’

Moon worshipers arrived just in time and it turned out to be a full house – the Moondeckers gathering never fails: you always meet a new face and make new friends.

Your scribe and the CO were seated opposite a couple of ‘new’ faces, who turned out to be splendid and interesting company.

Suzette and Philip de Jager, now resident in Ramsgate, made the journey to paradise the long way round after six years in India and eight years in Thailand respectively.

However, the call of home eventually caught up with the couple, who decided Hibiscus Coast seemed a nice place.

The alternatives included Germiston (Philip’s hometown) or Richmond in the Karoo, where Suzette was born and bred.

Knocked out by Khao

The couple spent six years in India – Philip on contract to a German electronics company based in Bangalore and Suzette teaching.

From India, the De Jagers weren’t ready to return home to South Africa and moved to Thailand, but not to the glamour of Bangkok.

Starting up his own business in Khao, ‘a small blink and you’ll miss it’ Thai dorp, some 150km north-east of Bangkok, they lived just like the locals and loved the pondokkie-type lifestyle.

Philip’s business interests kept him going, travelling throughout Thailand. In the meantime Suzette, furthered her role as a maths and science teacher, which couldn’t be easy.

Living and working in India and Thailand was a great education in life, something of a culture shock.

But you live and learn, although, as Philip wryly commented, returning to South Africa was just as much a culture shock after being away for 15 years.

No worries, you get used to it. And Philip and Suzette: You can’t beat a prego roll at Moondeckers, remember that.

Veggie derby

The monthly SHAFTS gathering at Shelly Beach Ski-boat Club last Thursday was a great success.

Although a puritan upbringing didn’t allow for heavy gambling, your scribe decreed to allow the CO a wee flutter at the veggie derby.

Throwing caution to the wind, she placed R10 on a horse and won R30!

The meeting ended with an auctioning-off of horses made from vegetables.

One winning bidder commented that her horse would make a lovely soup (which was not reported to the local SPCA).

Congratulations

One very special couple attending the derby was the suitably ‘derby-hatted’ Jeri and husband Brian Mills of Ramsgate, celebrating 60 years’ marriage that very day.

Congratulations! The couple met whilst serving in the Royal Navy, although Jeri was a Wren stationed inland in Harrogate, Yorkshire – nowhere near the sea, with far more sheep than ships.

Brian proposed after only two weeks, thus making Jeri Wren the new Mrs Mills – not the well-known pianist. Brian was a Royal Navy artificer officer, and nothing to do with icing on a cake.

That accolade goes to Jeri, who will be celebrating a very special birthday next week in Johannesburg with the family.

Showtime!

This weekend sees one of the great music events of the year with Liz Curran’s ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ show.

The show will feature Evan Roberts, piano, songsters Samantha Landers and Anthony Downing and special guest Nina Sugden-Watson (fondly known as NSW) on cello.

Friends, would you give NSW and Evan a special Hibiscus Coast welcome, please? Have a great week. See you, Rob.

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