Fidler in the Hood: So long, farewell, auf wiederseh’n, adieu…
One of the downsides of the ‘not-so-new New South Africa’ has been the exodus of many South African families and friends leaving for greener pastures.
Greetings friends. Now, that was the week that was. Cooler weather, a nice bit of rain and it‘s cooled off somewhat. Perhaps not quite the last roast of summer and no doubt there will be more to come, but we will survive. On with the show.
ALSO READ : Fidler in the Hood: What’s a little prickly heat between friends?
One of the downsides of the ‘not-so-new New South Africa’ has been the exodus of many South African families and friends leaving for greener pastures. It would be fair comment that most of us have had to face the heartache of families and loved ones leaving the Beloved Country for the four corners of the earth. Sad, but understandable – and even our own community here is fast dwindling.
Moody Blues
The latest friends to say goodbye were Gordon and Pat Moody, who are relocating to Brisbane, Queensland, to join up with family in Australia. The couple emigrated from the UK in 1971 for the good life on offer in South Africa. Gordon and Pat served their time living and working primarily in Johannesburg and Pretoria before retiring to the KZN South Coast, specifically St Michael’s and Southbroom.
As a youngster, Gordon (all 6ft 3in) had aspirations of becoming a professional footballer, joining hometown side Southampton FC as a budding goalkeeper. Those were in the days of Ted Bates, Terry Paine, Johnny Sydenham and Mick Shannon, who became long-time friends of Gordon’s. Actually, it finally dawned that your scribe had previously met Gordon in January 1960, when his Southampton team thrashed the not-so-then beloved Manchester City in the FA Cup third round 1-5. Gordon was there that very day in Manchester to see his own beloved Saints triumph over City. We used to share a rueful smile about that dark day in football history.
Gordon was a saint
He sadly didn’t make the Southampton first team, mainly stuck in the reserves. He realised that his dream of becoming a full-time professional footballer was not going to happen, that he should move on and learn a trade.
Gordon became an apprentice pattern maker, completing his apprenticeship before coming to SA to join the-then Datsun motor company in Roslyn, Pretoria.
His passion for football, however, did not die and he became the goalie for Kudu Park FC in the second tier of the old NFL, and latterly a football coach to various junior football sides in and around Johannesburg.
A natural sportsman, Gordon played a handy round of golf, winning the southern Natal Sanlam Cancer Challenge tournament, the prize being an all-expenses paid trip to Sun City, representing the Southbroom golfing fraternity. A prominent member of Southbroom Golf Club and a regular at SHAFTS get-togethers and social outings, Gordon (and Pat) will be sorely missed round those neck of the greens. With the couple exchanging the heat and humidity of the Hibiscus Coast for the heat and humidity of Brisbane, at least they will be acclimatised right from the start. A case of ‘out of the frying pan, into the frying pan’.
‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’, however, the sadness was eased with a fond farewell lunch at C-Bali Restaurant in St Mike’s last Wednesday. The Moodys are spending their last week in South Africa in Johannesburg with friends and family before flying out this coming weekend. Their South African adventure started in Johannesburg and has ended in Johannesburg. The wheel has turned full circle. Good luck and God bless. Just remember the good times here in good old South Africa. Pity your old team, the Saints, let you down at the weekend, Gordon.
SHAFTS quiz
Gordon and Pat could not make last week’s SHAFTS get-together at the Shelly Beach Ski-boat Club, when a 50-question trivia quiz was held. The ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ team (that’s us, folks) came in second, losing out to Brian and Jery Mills, who scored 38. Under the auspices of quizmaster Barrie Willis, your scribe did note that two or three questions had a nautical flavour; that Chief Petty Officer Brian and Jery ‘Wren’ Mills had met whilst serving in HM’s royal navy – and that there were no questions on football or Manchester City. Was the dice loaded? Perhaps not and it’s just that their brains are still ever-sharp. Quiz kings Brian and Jery had recently been to Cyprus for a 60th wedding anniversary reunion with friends who attended their wedding in 1969. Until next week. 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
