Fidler in the Hood: Get out of your rut dear, let’s get away from it all
Gerry and Brenda Stafford, who are on their fourth visit to South Africa.
Life is precious, and, remember, you can’t take it with you, so live it up a little – you deserve it.
These pearls of wisdom are certainly applicable to family members Gerry and Brenda Stafford, who are on their fourth visit to South Africa; the first trip was in 1984 with their two siblings. Time has certainly flown by. Gerry worked for British Telecom for 42 years, starting off as an appy and rising to regional manager.
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Brenda spent 25 years with the Bedford Education Authority, primarily as bursar at a local school that had 30 different nationalities of pupils and teachers alike. Their experiences and hard work paid off and they are now enjoying the fruits of their endeavours with a well-earned retirement.
The Staffords have visited 40 different countries and certainly get around. In the last 12 months they have visited such diverse countries as Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy, Vietnam, Japan and all of South America.
Their two children Philip and Clare, now married with families of their own, have carved out successful careers, but still able to travel the world with their work. Philip is a financial journalist with the Financial Times, London and appears on television telling the public what’s happening in the city.
Philip occasionally calls to compare notes (one paper hack to another) and to hear what’s going on in the ‘real City’, being Manchester City, of course. It invariably falls on deaf ears, as Philip is a United fan. However, London, Singapore, Miami, New York and Frankfurt are his beat.
Clare, before settling down, travelled and taught English in such exotic places as Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, China, and Poland. She studied Russian at Bristol University and was headhunted by an international finance company in London.
Her Russian language came in handy after spending time in Moscow, travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express to Vladivostok and then onto China.
I once asked Clare what exactly she does as a management consultant and she replied “Uncle, see that watch on your wrist? We tell you how to put it on properly and how to tell the time in different languages.” Kids of today!
It’s not all been plain sailing for the Harvey family when travelling. Last year Clare and her husband Ben Harvey miraculously escaped harm in Sri Lanka. Leaving the breakfast room in their hotel, Clare and her children had just entered the lift, pressed the button and while the doors were closing, a bomb exploded. Missed by a matter of seconds.
Certainly, our little bit of heaven seems to have made a favourable impression. Little sister Brenda sidled up and said “You know, I think the Hibiscus Coast is nicer than the North Coast. The area, the beaches and coves are so pretty, people are so welcoming and there seems lots of things to do.”
The family has gone to the Drakensberg for a week after falling in love with the ’Berg on that first visit in 1984. They return to the South Coast this weekend to spend another week here before returning to the UK, hoping flooding in their area has receded.
Their last evening here will be spent at the ‘Swinging Sixties’ concert, Azalea Hall (Margate Retirement Village) this Saturday (7th). So, if you want to meet the Staffords, come along, if only to say hello and goodbye.
Yes, it’s show-time at the Azalea Hall once again for ‘The Swinging Sixties’ with Dave Monks and Marion Loudon. Tickets are R80 each, it’s a BYO party, dress is smart casual and booking is essential. Call Debbie at the RAC office at 039 3125701. See you all there, Rob.
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