Rob in the ‘Hood: End of the world is nigh, but not this week
Norman and Vanuzia Stiller have been married for 16 years; despite the ups and downs of living in South Africa, they are still here, resident in Southbroom.
Greetings inmates! Hope you are hanging in, hanging on, and not hanging out.
I could have said ‘and left out to dry’: the liquor stores closing scare stories came to nothing, and those purveyors of fine wine and strong beverages are still in business. The shelves might seem a wee tad threadbare, but where there’s a will there’s a way. On with the show.
A few readers saw the recent picture of myself with many empty hootch bottles hanging around in our garage. Many folks thought the bottles were post lockdown period (how could you?), and that the CO and myself had drunk ourselves stupid with having nothing to do. Not a bit of it!
The empties were an accumulation since the beginning of the new year; we had not gotten around to going to the bottle bank. Still, it made for a handsome collection.
For some connoisseurs, the bottles became an object of their affections, meaning they were on the look-out for empty bottles. It seems quite a few locals have turned to ‘developing’ their own brands of elderberry wine, fortified, of course. The CO started the ball rolling with her own (maybe Molly Malone’s?) magic recipe for Irish whiskey, or was it Irish stew? No matter, it kept the cold out, and the ‘potteen‘ has kicked Covid-19 into touch.
By chance, I met good friend, Polish-born Norman Stiller who was thinking of joining the queue outside one of the banks. Like myself, he has now given up on queues. Better to while a way a moment or two with old friends.
The last time we had met was on the occasion of Norman’s birthday in February. “Rob, I saw that picture of you with dozens of empty wine and liquor bottles, what are you going to do with them? Don’t throw them out, please. I’m making my own brand of elderberry wine, from a handed-down-through-the-ages recipe from Poland. I need some empty bottles.”
“Well, pop round, help yourself. They are in the garage…and don’t forget the mask-erade.” The zloty dropped! “I’ll be there,” replied my Polish friend.
Norman duly popped round, along with his lovely Brazilian-born wife, Vanuzia Ferreira, fondly known as ‘Maria from Bahia’. We exchanged our ‘magic formulae’ for our own brands of altar wine, and promised to get together when the ‘duration’ is finally over, assuming we can last that long.
Norman and Vanuzia have been married for 16 years; despite the ups and downs of living in South Africa, they are still here, resident in Southbroom. Last year, they had a look round Malta, and a trip to Norman’s homeland.
I asked Norman how did they find Malta. “Very hot, and no trees!?” Enough said. Norman added: “When I came to South Africa, I felt at home immediately. I never had any problem settling in. Vanuzia felt the same. Leaving Salvador, her home city, known for its vibrancy, music and laid-back people, it was a daunting thought to make such a move. Venuzia soon settled here and in spite of SA’s many problems, this is still a great place to live.”
We don’t have any statues to pull down, although we do have many potholes to fill in. Maybe this is our legacy: potholes!
I noticed in last week’s Herald that local businessman Billy du Plooy, of Margate, has made it a mission to fill in the potholes pervading our roads, as a goodwill gesture to public pride and service.
Such has been the success that he’s been in demand, with many pleading with Billy to fill in the holes in their area. Meneer du Plooy, can you please pop round to the Robbens-Dee-Edwards-Bermuda triangle? Please. ‘Your Country Needs You!’Many thanks, Billy, much appreciated, I’m sure, by everyone.
It was also mighty fine to see RNM councillor George Henderson visiting the area. George greeted me with: “Before you start, Rob, yes, I know about your road sinking ‘any moment now’. The municipality has it on its ‘to do’ list.”
Well, folks, it’s here. Finally. Your self-isolation, your patience, is now rewarded. Football is back on our screens! The Boys in Blue are back in town and life is beautiful. At the time of going to press City’s result is not available, but I’m sure it will be ‘all right on the night’.
See you, Rob.
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