Fidler in the Hood: Despite the heat, we carry on regardless
Living down here has its deprivations, but, the pluses still outweigh the minuses.
Greetings. Hell hath no fury like a hot and humid Hibiscus Coast in February. Each year we say never again, enduring our very own Dante’s inferno, but considering the alternative freezing cold in Grimsby, where the cod doesn’t go ‘off’ and the soles on your shoes do not make for warm and dry feet, it’s a no-brainer. On with the show.
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Despite the heatwave, social life goes on unabated – we stagger from one social event to the other. Yes, living down here has its deprivations, but, the pluses still outweigh the minuses.
Moondeckers reconvened after a three-month break last weekend. Great to see many of the old faces and some newcomers. Hanti Kotze arrived here just six weeks ago to sample our unique lifestyle after a lifetime of blood, sweat and tears in Johannesburg. She decided to throw in her lot with us Hibiscus hillbillies, leaving the heady heights of Northcliff for Ramsgate. Already she is making new friends down here, which, you will agree, is no mean hardship.
Hanti was afforded a warm full moon welcome, plus winning the raffle for a bottle of hooch is not bad for a home debut. The shape of the winning bottle of Royal Rhino liqueur raised a few eyebrows and knowing smiles. Anyway, welcome, Hanti, you will be part of the community in next to no time, that’s for sure.
Following on from David Hallé telling us that he is planning a yachting trip to Brazil, South America, he popped around to have a cuppa and some more information. David will be joining up with his son Pierre, formerly of Durban and now domiciled in Uruguay.
They will sail along the Costa Verde, south of Rio de Janeiro, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of the world. He left us, loaded with travel guide books and DVDs on Brazil, no doubt to familiarise himself with what will be a trip of a lifetime. He has agreed to send a weekly report on his adventures over there.
vegetation left behind in Uvongo by the municipality grass-cutting team.
After a 450km round trip to Chaka’s Rock, North Coast, to attend a friend’s 40th (x 2) birthday lunch, we then attended a special birthday party for good friend Normal Stiller in Southbroom. He is originally from Poland and his wife Venuzia Ferreira hails from Bahia, Brazil.
Other Brazilian friends were there, including Patricia de Carvalho, from Cabo Frio, ‘RJ’, her mum Clesia Bento. It was Clesia’s fourth visit to SA and Patricia’s cousin, Gabriel Bento’s second visit.
Add a sprinkling of Bulgarians, Moldovans, Germans, Italians and Francophiles, not forgetting the Irish, it all added to a great evening with an international flavour. The music was lightly Latino and the food a gourmet’s delight.
S’funny, we think that everybody is fleeing South Africa, but there’s still a lot of us around, not going anywhere. We get around load-shedding and bathe in swimming pools when we are in dire straits. The sun shines every day and we actually love the rains. We could do a lot worse. When bottle stores run dry, and pubs have no beer, then that’s the time to call it quits.
On a more positive note, Dee Road has been cleaned up. Not quite Kew Gardens, but definitely an improvement.
Not that we should be thankful to local municipality for making a brief appearance in the area to cut verges, but they left a terrible mess behind. In desperation, residents got together and cleaned up the area. A special thanks to Simon Khosi who slogged in the midday sun.
Finally, a moment of reflection: David Rush keeps sending messages upon the plight of Manchester City. Yes, we are going through a rough patch and his beloved Liverpool are running away with the honours this season. But in the words of General Douglas MacArthur “We shall return”. See you, Rob.
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