Fidler in the Hood: Big Brother is watching you

GREETINGS, friends. Once more into the breach, thinking about what to write. Someone recently asked why the Uvongo neighbourhood News wasn’t funny or humorous anymore?

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Times are a-changing and one can only do so much putting on a happy face. In these days of political correctness, you have to take note that ‘Big Brother’ is watching you, even though 1984 was a long time ago! If we fail to bring a smile or a laugh, it’s not for the want of trying. On with the show.

Nothing happens

Really, it wasn’t a bad week. Social life in our wee patch of paradise continues to be just that. For a backwater where nothing happens, there’s still a lot on offer.

Your scribe ventured down to Umtamvuna River territory last week. Not to gamble, but to listen to ‘Bonus buddy’ Philippa Makepeace giving a talk on historical shipwrecks at the Trafalgar Gardening Club meeting.

She spoke about those ships that perished along the Hibiscus Coast. Philippa is an expert, particularly of the period when the Portuguese arrived on South African shores 500 years ago. Over time, Philippa has collected historical artefacts whilst scouring beaches, recovering rare pieces of porcelain, coins, baubles, bangles and beads.

Fellow world traveller Philippa continued her talk, recalling her recent visit to India, and the kindness and friendliness afforded her by the local population. For present-day South Africans travelling on a shoe-string budget, it’s no easy matter. Thanks, Philippa, it was a lovely afternoon.

Winners and losers

The week wasn’t all a bed of roses: the monthly Ramsgate Lions’ quiz night ended with hot favourites ‘The Chasers’ (that’s us, folks) losing by a single point to newcomers ‘The Dixons’.

The monthly ‘let’s get a divorce’ was averted once again: a man’s gotta eat sometime. If only people listened – everyone knows the RAF Hurricane fighter aircraft won the Battle of Britain and not the RAF Spitfire…

Otherwise, we would have won the quiz, if not for the Battle of Britain. However, The Dixons graciously shared a box of chocolates with us, so all was not lost. Seriously friends, it’s a super way to spend an evening and not to be taken seriously. Everyone is welcome and marriage counselling is an optional extra.

Great show

The week ended off with the Margate Village’s monthly entertainment evening with dynamic Tonya Koenderman and her ‘A Night of Swing’ show. This was the first time since Liz Curren died, so it was gratifying to see a near full house, something of a final farewell to Liz.

Tonya pulled out all the stops with her powerful voice and wide repertoire of ‘standards’, which the audience appreciated. The versatile singer knows her stuff when it comes to music, although some of the lesser-known tunes were not familiar to the audience.

Still – a lovely way to spend an evening. She really showed her professionalism whilst singing ‘New York, New York’ and the sound system was on the brink of drowning out her voice. Ever the trouper, Tonya carried on, assuring us that it was not a fire drill exercise and that ‘The show must go on!’.

Spring is sprung

The September social calendar kicks off on Thursday, September 5 at 9.30am with the Shafts spring champagne breakfast at the Blue Lagoon end of Ramsgate beach.

Braai facilities are provided for those who prefer burnt meat to the traditional bacon and eggs. Champers and orange juice will be supplied, so come along, say hello to the folks seated next to you, and hey, you will have yet more friends.

By the way, don’t worry about the diet. It was recently reported that during a span of 11 years, 118 people have died in the gym doing weightlifting exercises. And during that same period of 11 years, only ONE person has died from eating a doughnut,. Enjoy yourself – it’s later than you think. See you, Rob.

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