Rob in the ‘Hood: Funerals, football, friends and a feline dilemma
Much-respected and loved friends had 'run out of time', having said their 'goodbye, cruel world' speeches.
Greetings friends and neighbours. As George Formby once said: “You can’t keep a good man down!” So, I’m back by popular demand. Semi-seriously, folks, I had given thought to packing it in.
However, it has been a difficult January, with a four funerals and no weddings scenario unfolding. Much-respected and loved friends had ‘run out of time’, having said their ‘goodbye, cruel world’ speeches. All so sad, but, when you gotta go, you gotta go. Life goes on, albeit on borrowed time, so, let’s make the best of it; and not a fist of it.
The Odd Couple
Early last week, I received a phone call; a female voice asked: “Is that Rob Fidler?” Defensively, I replied. “Does he owe you any money?” My stock answer. “No”, she replied. “Well then, t’is me; the one and only. Can I help you?” I replied.
“How’s your team Manchester City doing?”, she asked. I immediately warmed to the mystery voice and her subject matter. She continued: “I haven’t seen or read your column for quite a while. Have you stopped writing?” “No,” I replied, “I’ve been out of town. I will be making a comeback ‘real soon’.”
It was all going swimmingly well, till she interrupted with “My late husband was a Liverpool supporter for 60 years; but I’m an Everton follower. Ours was a mixed marriage!” My immediate thoughts were: “Aren’t we all, duckie, aren’t we all?”
I’m not sure if all marriages are made in heaven; but a mutual love of football between husband and wife? Now there’s a novelty, but if It helps to glue together the marital bliss relationship, so much the better. Not that love and marriage brings anything to argue about. (All in jest, folks!) However, in our ‘ouse the CO still cannot master the offside rule, nor VAR. But a Liverpudlian and an Evertonian, under the same roof? Well, that is a rarity.
A home-loving wife had a right old go at her Liverpool-mad, football-daft husband, as he was watching a match on television. “You love Liverpool more than you love me,” she admonished him. His eyes still glued to the screen, he replied: “I love Everton more than I love you!” The moral of the story being ‘never stand in front of a television screen when a man is watching a football match’.
Moondeckers Disappointment
Full moon worshippers were no doubt disappointed with the cancellation of the monthly get-together due to the stormy weather, which has been hanging around for most of the week. The popular monthly event happened to be on the CO’s birthday, with welcome visitors Peter and Sheila Watson from Crocodile Creek, Ballito, making the journey from the North Coast to be with us.
After long-promising to visit the Hibiscus Coast, the Watsons had wanted to attend the popular the ‘gathering of the loonies’ and to share in the Moondeckers experience, plus sampling our very special laid-back lifestyle down here on the Hibiscus Coast. Disappointments all round, but with the consolation for the CO being able to watch Manchester City beat Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Champions League on television later in the evening. All five goals and the replays. Her every whim or wish fulfilled.
After over 40 years in the crocodile business, minus a finger or two, Peter has decided to call it a day and retire. The Watsons, who have now been married 57 years, were the CO’s very first friends she made after arriving in Kitwe, Zambia, some 57 years ago. They have remained friends for five decades. When you think about it: to have good friends for more than half a century, it’s quite some feat. But then, I always say “Only in Africa!”
Who Can I Turn To?
Now, friends, I need your help. A beautiful ginger cat has adopted us and moved in. It’s not ours, and seems like it’s come from a good home. But it has taken a liking to us, and we are stuck with it. It’s a three meals a day cat, a very healthy appetite, and a well-looked-after appearance.
We have circulated notices, asking if anyone is missing their cat, but with no success. We are in a dilemma: anyone who might know, or even wants a lovely kit-kat in tip-top condition, please help us out.
See you.
Rob.
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