Fidler in the ‘Hood: Setting the (unassisted) record straight…

Greetings friends! What’s this – another contribution to the Herald?

Yes, it had been agreed that I would write just once a month, but, sometimes things crop up that need your scribe’s immediate attention.

I hope that readers have gotten to know me over that past six years through my column.

ALSO READ : Fidler in the ‘Hood: Fairy tales can come true if you are young at heart

My endeavours have always been to bring a smile, a laugh, and make people feel good about living in strife-torn South Africa, and particularly living on the South Coast.

A Pinch of Salt

Fortunately, most readers can see through my ‘tosh’, and take it all with a pinch of salt.

However, no one is perfect (as my CO keeps telling me), and sometimes my ‘licence to amuse’ goes astray.

Two Different Worlds

Last week’s story was about two people: local environmentalist and part-time hero David Halle, and his thwarted attempts to join his son, Pierre Halle, in Uruguay, South America, while the other half was of a distant relative, Zirk Botha who was amazingly rowing the South Atlantic ocean from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro – unassisted – in world-record time.

Now it seems my ‘journalistic licence’ got me carried away, and there were a couple of inaccuracies in my article.

I wrote that Zirk had ‘met up’ with a cargo carrier in mid-Atlantic and that they had generously donated fresh water and goodies to Zirk.

I also added that Zirk had asked the Spanish-speaking Filipino crew how my favourite football team, Manchester City were doing.

This was not really the case, and it needs to be clearly stated that his adventure was completely unassisted. No help from anyone at all.

My unreserved apologies, Zirk, for casting any doubts on that.

The incredible solo rowing odyssey is a remarkable world-record and deserves praise and recognition.

Again, my apologies, from myself and the South Coast Herald. It was all ‘tongue-in-cheek’ and never intended to tarnish one’s reputation,

Here endeth the lesson, very well-learned.

Lessons Learned

In future I shall keep any stories to the confines of the South Coast and the good folks down here who can still laugh at life, even in these trying times of Covid-19, potholes, water shortages, power outages and poor service delivery.

Also, for the record, David Halle is still hoping to get to Montevideo, Uruguay, to meet up with son Pierre.

We have dissuaded David from attempting to swim the South Atlantic ocean. Too much temptation by passing mermaids and ships might get in his way.

Now For Some Good News

Social life as we knew it is returning to our local shores.

The Ramsgate Lions Quiz night is on again once a month.

The CO and myself returned to ‘runners-up’ losing ways.

SHAFTS has circulated that it will be up and running by the end of the month.

And finally, David Halle has delayed any ideas of popping over to Uruguay to inform everyone that Moondeckers is back at the Ramsgate Conservatory. Watch this space.

See you.

Rob.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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