Wow. And wow again. The last couple of weeks have been manic.
September 16 I was driving to East London, South Africa to pick up my grandmother to accompany her on the plane to Durban on the 17th. I got to catch up with my dear aunt Barbs in Winterstrand as well which is just a short drive from East London. That was very kewl.
My grandmother amazes me. I don’t think people give her enough credit and that includes herself. I think people just assume she is getting doddery and thus treat her that way. Yes she is fast losing her eyesight and partly her hearing too, but her mind is still sharp as a tack! Waiting for the plane at the airport she asked me if I thought she was getting stupid in her old age and losing her marbles. Directly after that crazy question I was blown away by a conversation that included quantum physics and the breakdown of an atom. She’s 85.
Durban was great. It’s always lovely to see the parent people and Tango the brother all of which I was finally able to spend a bit of quality time with. It’s wonderful to catch up and find out how everyone is doing. The party on Saturday night was a huge success thanks to Pops’ and venue’s organisation skills. Happy birthday again mother dearest!
While in Durban I also got to meet new people, Meegs and Jax (with 3 broken ribs from a night out drinking), and catch up with old friends. I was off to Ballito to spend some time with a great old friend, Lecleez. She is still as incredible as ever with two of the most amazing children on earth! You have to agree:
I also managed to squeeze in a lunch with old work colleagues. It was sad that a few weren’t able to make it owing to some last minute commitments. One that was and always will be missed was my good old boss, Captain Alan Cooke, who passed away some months ago with a heart attack still doing what he loved and what he did best, shipping! Apart from that I was reminded repeatedly how fat I have become since seeing everyone last. It’s amazing how cruel people can be! Hahaha 8) USN Challenge, here I am!
One thing that did piss me off intensely was all the stupid road name changes that have occurred throughout Durban. Every second road has a new name. The Aussie bird in my GPS was getting very confused cos she didn’t have a clue where Samora Machel Street or Mahatma Ghandi Road were! Marine Parade is now O.R.Tambo Parade or O.R.Tambo Circus as I would have suggested, thrown in there is a Joe Slovo Avenue and the Esplanade, or Victoria Embankment is now Margaret Mncadi Avenue. Here it all is if you don’t want to believe me! Good luck trying to pronounce half this shit when giving directions. At least the Vic Bar on old Point Road still exists!
(Click on images for slightly larger versions)
It’s a really nice touch as well to see that the name change has also been done so professionally. Nothing like a stripe of electrical insulation tape to cross out historical names! Anyway, it’s rumoured that people are so pissed as the whole ordeal that the names might just be changing back in the near future. That’s because South Africa has nothing else to worry about other than street names. God bless the ANC!
I almost got to stay in Durban for the Sharks vs Bulls Currie Cup Final as I was offered box tickets. My senses told me to can the the idea and just head back to Port Elizabeth as planned. Ok, so I am not as spontaneous as I used to be. I now have to use common sense and reason when making decisions. Damn that’s boring! It was just as well though because as I was getting onto the plane, Gav called me and told me he was in Port Elizabeth. “I’ll see you in a few hours”. It’s funny how things work out.
I’m now back in Port Elizabeth but that’s a whole new story!
