Fidler in the ‘Hood: It’s a long way from Southbroom to Surinam
I was intrigued: not many people in this world go to the north-east part of South America.
Greetings.
The CO was involved in a freak incident last week, involving the dog. Not our dog, I hasten to add, but a ‘guest’ dog from the big city a couple of hundred kilometres from here. The pooch, with its new-found freedom, took the CO for a walk, resulting in the CO coming a cropper.
A few scratches, bruises, aches and pains forced in a visit to the doctor to check on the damage to life and limb. Throw in a bad dose of ‘flu, it made it worthwhile to see the good doctor.
The CO was shaken, but not stirred and was delighted to learn that in next to no time, she will be fully fit, able to cook three meals a day, and be thrilled to watch Manchester City on the television three times a week.
Belated thanks to Harvey Galliard of Margate, who was cycling along Lilliecrona Boulevard, and came to the rescue of the CO, who was in a bad way after her fall.
Harvey hopped off his bike to offer assistance. He even offered to put the CO on his cross-bar and take her back to her car.
However, the dog got in the way.
A gallant gesture by Sir Galahad Galliard. It is appreciated, even if, in a short space of minutes, it was discovered that Harvey is a Leicester City football supporter.
It’s a long way from Southbroom, South Africa, to Surinam, South America and back, but that’s the journey taken by Rustenburg-born Barry Barnard before settling here on the South Coast.
I was intrigued: not many people in this world go to the north-east part of South America.
Yes, Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière spent a few years there, on Devil’s Island, as a guest of the French government.
I asked Barry why on earth he chose Surinam. It transpires that he was a leading forensic and security investigator, employed by Anglo-American, after service with the old Saps.
The bane of the bad guys in South Africa, Barry’s forensic expertise was tracing money that had disappeared and ended up in foreign bank accounts overseas.
Barry was offered a contract by Anglo-American in Surinam, previously governed by the Netherlands. His Afrikaans language helped him as the local lingua franca is Dutch. He and his wife Charmaine quickly settled in.
The people were friendly, welcoming, and life was good there. Even the weather was like home from home, but 10 times hotter and 10 times more humid.
Barry made the wry comment: “If you think SA is the only country with corruption, think again”.
All good things come to an end. Barry had a couple of hearty health scares in Surinam, the result of the heat, plus excessive air travel.
After two years in Surinam it was time to come home to South Africa. As Barry put it, you can leave South Africa, but South Africa never leaves you. Words of wisdom, I think.
Barry and his wife Charmaine moved to the South Coast six years ago. Both he and Charmaine remain positive about prospects.
Charmaine is a resident magistrate in Port Shepstone magistrate’s court. It was a long time coming being made permanent, but all good things come to those who wait.
For readers who have had to put up with my utterances about Manchester City and football in general, I have good news for you.
I have ‘finished with football’ – and Manchester City. A man can only take so much unrequited love. It is going from bad to worse and one can only take so much.
See you, Rob.
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