In a Nutshell: On the beach
“Fellow South Africans” were enjoying and fuelling the festive spirit by surreptitiously imbibing locally bottled brews.
Thank goodness the festive season is now only a pale and gradually fading memory.
In my mind, much too much emphasis is directed towards the commercialism of the occasion, and not enough to the actual spiritual motivation for celebrating Christmas.
I am not getting into the religious side of things, as religion, like politics and sex, should not be wildly discussed amongst some parties, as misconceptions and misnomers can lead to prickly outcomes and crucified friendships.
I was at the beach and was most inspired to see how congenially the “fellow South Africans” were enjoying and fuelling the festive spirit by surreptitiously imbibing locally bottled brews.
I thought drinking on the beach was taboo, but with not a law enforcement officer in sight, the opportunity was not going to waste.
Actually, considering the pleasant weather being experienced on the Hibiscus Coast during the period, I was quite surprised that the roads were as free running as they were.
A traffic jam in Hibberdene is par for the course, due to the most peculiar configuration of the traffic island at the traffic lights.
Granted, the traffic island was probably laid out when ox wagons were cruising the coastal road, however, motorised vehicles have arrived and surely, by putting heads together, an inspired traffic policeman or two, could have had a light bulb moment, and had the islands realigned?
Thinking about control and directing of traffic flow, Pretoria had its own strangely weird oddity when it came to traffic circles also called a roundabout.
Dating from years back when there was a church on Church Square, the city inherited this vast space where the farmers parked their wagons when attending monthly communion.
The result was this vast open space which became a clockwise-rotating four-lane traffic Roman circus fed by four feeder roads, so getting in was easy but escaping, by cutting three moving lanes of cars, was the real trick.
I remember my father having to circulate the roundabout a number of times until the magic escape chute appeared. That fun part of Church Square navigation eventually was no more, and the place became a bus depot/parking area.
Of course, busses now no longer perform the service of conveying commuters, as taxis have assumed the role.
How I miss the reeking, diesel belching busses they deserve their place in transport development as much as the venerable steam engine. Toot! Toot!
BIO
Trevor Barnes is a retired gentleman, who recently entered the club of septuagenarians. He was raised and schooled in Port Elizabeth at Grey High School until Std. 8 and finishing his matric year at Pretoria Boys High School. He trained as a cartographer and spent his productive working years on diamond mines or signage companies. His wife and he raised twin sons who presently are working in the UK and UAE respectively. His interests are history, exploring South Africa and meeting people.
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