On Tuesday morning my cousin arranged a family get together. I visited South Africa eight years ago and that was the last time I have seen any family member other than an aunt, slightly younger than my mother, who has a daughter living in England. Our two families met up regularly as children and her eldest, a few months younger than me, has remained a good friend.
Time doesn’t stand still. Life also doesn’t always go according to plan. My uncle, who played cricket for his country and provincial rugby, has been in a wheel chair for a number of years. He is only seventy three so he was in his late fifties when his health began to fail. His wife is only two years older than me and his carer.
We take for granted our holidays abroad, trips to the theatre, and meals out with family and friends. My uncle can do none of these. Someone looks after him during the day while his wife holds down two jobs. But she never complains! When I asked my uncle how he spends his days he replied that he ‘sleeps a lot’. So sad.
On Wednesday we drove up the East Coast to spend a night with another cousin and his wife. He is recovering from major surgery but doing really well. He has his whole life ahead to enjoy his children and grandchildren. His house overlooks the sea. He has a telescope set up to watch dolphins and whales as they swim by, which happens regularly and must surely have aided his remarkable recovery!
Our walks along the beach were magical. Huge waves crashed over majestic rocks sheltering pools filled with exciting marine life just waiting to be explored. Impractical for surfers and fisherman but perfect for us strolling along the beach with all the time in the world!
On Friday I met an old school friend for lunch. I have known her since we were ten years old. Even though we lead very different lives, we had so much to talk about and the time sped by. A lot of happy memories came flooding back once we had caught up with current news. We laughed a lot and by the time my husband came to fetch us we hadn’t finished reminiscing! He was happy to sit with a cup of coffee and pass occasional comments when the need arose. He discovered things about his wife’s childhood that had long been forgotten!
So that was the first week of what is going to be a most unforgettable holiday and a trip down memory lane. We head for Natal and the Drakensberg mountains tomorrow. The excitement is mounting as we plan meals and ensure there is enough beer and wine for the trip! We are going to stay in a self-catering chalet which suits us far better than a hotel room. My cousin’s husband has kindly offered to do the driving and going through the Transkei is a huge challenge! We are very grateful to him!
We have another week stretching ahead, filled with more exciting adventures and plenty of walks to keep my Fitbit happy! South Africa is such a beautiful country and this leg of our journey will not disappoint!👠
Jenny Burrell 