Rob in the ‘Hood: Where does the time go? All too soon, my friends
Fifty-six years! That's a mighty long time, you might agree.
Easter holiday greetings, folks! Still here in the land of the living.
Now, friends, this week it’s an anniversary edition: your man on the spot is celebrating 56 years to the week coming out to South Africa.
Fifty-six years! That’s a mighty long time, you might agree.
As the old song goes Where Does the Time Go? All Too Soon, my Friends.
ALSO READ : Rob in the ‘Hood: ‘Don’t get around much anymore’
Looking back, I left the Old Country on April 1 (April Fool’s Day); somehow missed the SAA flight from Las Palmas, Canary Islands (thereby hangs a tale!), finally landing at the old Jan Smuts Airport, Johannesburg, on Easter Sunday morning, 4th April, 1965.
The immigration officer greeted me with: “Did you enjoy your stay in Las Palmas, Meneer Fidler? Welkom to Suid Afrika!” I had arrived.
Seeking That Pot of Gold
Initially, I came out just for a couple of years. The idea was to make my fortune and return to the land of hope and glory.
The streets are paved in gold in South Africa, you’ll be a millionaire in six months, they said.
Silly me: I really believed them, too! I’m still here, half a century later, still looking for that pot of gold. Unless you have a liking for tomato sauce!
Friends ask me, even now, if I have ever thought of going back home.
I reply I’ve thought of going back home every day for the last 56 years.
But after a lifetime’s adventures here, Zambia, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, I look back with nostalgia, good memories, and no, I’ve never given it serious consideration.
Besides, I never could afford the bus-fare back.
There’s No Place Like Home
Somehow, after going round the clock far too many times in Southern and Central Africa, the CO and I have ended up living the good life here on the South Coast.
The local municipal authorities drive us mad, but we have to admit that there’s no place like home on the South Coast.
Despite having to contend with nightmare potholes and poor utility services being the norm, we wouldn’t live anywhere else.
The people down here are the best of the best, and besides, is there anywhere else better than here these days?
The whole world is in a sorry state, but somehow, the South Coast has led something of charmed life: we can get out; the beaches are on our doorstep and there are numerous restaurants to choose from.
Moondeckers Is Back
Weather (sic) you like it or not, things really are getting back to normality here.
For those of you who couldn’t make it, a great pity, but locals and visitors alike had one really marvellous Moondeckers get-together last weekend at the Ramsgate Conservancy overlooking the beach.
The full moon came out in all its glory; one of the very best moons in a long time.
The evening was swathed in moonlight; the sea a-shimmering by the light of the silvery moon. It was the perfect way to spend a lovely evening.
Welcome, by the way, to Cassi Volkwyn, and her daughter Jamie-Lee Caple, who added a touch of youth (and class?) to the scene.
Both Cassi and Jamie-Lee are yoga specialists – the things we do to keep fit and stay forever young.
Moondeckers is really a great social get-together, with delightful and interesting people.
We must support this little gem of a social activity. All you have to is pitch up, sit next to whoever, say ‘hello’ and you have made a new friend.
The next Moondeckers is on Wednesday, April 27 at 5.30 pm. Be there!
What A Load of Waffle
The Ramsgate Lions quiz night is back in full swing. Mike Berry set the questions, adding that they were ‘dead easy’. You could have fooled us, Mike.
We struggled in the opening rounds, but amazingly came up the home straight to win by one point.
The winners received a free meal for two at the Waffle House in Ramsgate. We start the diet next week.
Day of Deliverance is Near
People ask me why I write this load of tosh for the Herald.
Well, despite standing offers from the Times of London, Time magazine and Dandy (or was it Beano?) I guess it’s really a local labour of love.
No, it’s much more than that. Where else can I have a go at all those Liverpool and Manchester United football supporters, who have to ‘take the knee’ to my beloved, all-conquering Manchester City, about to be crowned champions, coming to a ‘theatre of dreams’ near you?
See you, Rob.
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