Fidler in the Hood: Julia Styles here? We should be so lucky

EARLY Christmas greetings! Your scribe is plugging the greetings bit, my friends, as he’s beginning to think he’s losing it, mentally.

Last week, he referred to Julia Childs as the star of the BBC television drama series ‘Riviera’ and that Julia would be a special guest at the local Guinea Pig Kitchen club in Ramsgate.

ALSO READ : Fidler in the Hood: Big Brother is watching you

Absolute nonsense, of course. The lovely Julia Styles appeared in the TV series – not Childs. The real Julia Childs, famous author of recipe books, introduced French cuisine to the American public.

But it is definite that neither Julia Childs nor Julia Styles will be visiting our area. Julia Childs died in 2004 and Julia Styles is living in style somewhere on the French Riviera. On with the show.

No fixed abode

Another frightening thought is that as we become more mature with age, we become more forgetful. We seem to clearly remember events from decades ago, but cannot recall what we did just a few days back.

A case in point: we attended the rearranged Shelly Beach Shafts’ annual ‘Swing into Spring’ champagne and orange juice braai and breakfast last Thursday.

One organiser, whose name shall be kept secret to protect his reputation, came up to us to thank us for the support in the Bonus.

It transpired that our new friend lived round the corner from us in Uvongo, but, couldn’t tell us at that very moment exactly where – his mind had gone blank.

He knew he went over a speed bump somewhere along Edward Drive, but couldn’t remember the name of the road he lived in. About half an hour later he returned: “It’s Clarendon Road, Uvongo”, he replied, “or is it a street?” Welcome to the club.

Cooking up a storm

The Shafts’ champagne breakfast at Ramsgate beach was a super success. Perfect weather, perfect setting, the brunchers and braai-ers were friendly and the CO was utterly spoilt, as yours truly offered to cook breakfast: something of a world first.

Of course, nothing is ever perfect: we forgot to bring along the eggs, but were saved by borrowing a couple of ‘des œufs’ kindly offered by Bill and Heather van Rooyen of Uvongo.

Don’t know what all the fuss is about cooking breakfast – the eggs didn’t break and the bacon wasn’t burnt. Maybe it was because your scribe adopted the Julia Childs method of cooking on an open skottle? Next: boiled eggs a la Julia. As long as this doesn’t become habit forming.

Let the games begin

Shafts continues its social merry-go-round on Thursday, September 19, with a potjie breakfast, followed by something called ‘the Shafts Olympics’.

Apparently ‘Rob Fidler’s’ name is down for two sporting events? Not sure what sporting events they are, as long as it does not include running on a sandy beach. Any beach: the Normandy D-Day landings were ‘hell on earth’, but, ‘let the games begin’, starts at 10 for 10.30am.

The venue, of course, is the Shelly Beach Ski-boat Club, which has been tremendous in supporting the group, so come along and enjoy a great couple of hours.

Mooning over the mural

The monthly Moondeckers get-together was held by the light of a hazy moon at Ramsgate conservancy last Saturday evening, even though the event clashed with television coverage of not-so-beloved (at present) Manchester City. It was the right decision to attend Moondeckers.

No doubt David Rush, editor of the South Coast Herald, will be delighted with this prioritising of duties, especially as his team Liverpool won and your scribe’s dream team lost. The gathering was its usual friendly success, with a full house enjoying a great evening.

The full moon just about came out. There were poetry readings by the delightful Barbie Meyer of Uvongo, well-known for her presentations of the literary works of Charles Bosman, and her local charity shows.

The whale deck sports a beautiful new mural, painted by Radmer Lenasch and Anita Dumas of the Blank Canvas Artists’ Guild – for free. It depicts marine life along our coast and is a must see. Many thanks, Barbie, Anita and Radmer – for their time and contributions to the community.

On a serious note, chairman John Murray expressed concerns that the conservancy is fighting for its life, and needs all the support it can get, so rally round, friends.

A couple of new faces attended and a warm welcome is extended to ‘JR’ and Antoinette Sulon, who recently moved here from Durban, After the bright lights of the big city, they are feeling their way socially and making new friends. They will soon be ‘one of us’ for sure.

Wine festival

If it’s the fine life with fine wine, look no further than the South Coast Spring Wine Festival at Riverbend Crocodile Farm, which runs from September 19 to 22.

There will be an art exhibition, an evening of music with The Gentry on Saturday evening and an afternoon of classical piano and guitar on the Sunday.

So much to do with so little time. For more information, please contact the crocodiles at 039 316 6204. And remember – never smile at a crocodile. See you, Rob.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE