Darling revisited-1
As I mentioned earlier, the weekend after our trip to the Karoo, Klein Karoo, and Garden Route was spent with Pat and Bobby in Darling. This time we were joined by Dorothy, Jon, Robyn, and Vallerie, a cousin of Robin's. There was nothing special planned, just a relaxing weekend for old friends and new friends to get together.
On Saturday morning we made our way to the N7 to head north from Cape Town. Though we didn't need gas we stopped at the garage just north of Cape Town so that we could revisit the pond where we sat and watched birds on our first trip to Darling. And so I could get a cup of Wimpy's coffee! No new birds seen but Marcia enjoyed seeing all the weavers' nests.
The drive took a little longer than expected because we found ourselves in a slow moving line of cars that was, as it turned out, a funeral procession on its way to the cemetery for a burial service. The deceased must have been someone well known or important in the community as it was a long line of cars and there was one large bus and many cars of folks at the cemetery. We decided to continue on our way and not attend the service!
Bobby met us at the gate and let us in. Despite the delay caused by the funeral procession, we were a bit earlier than he expected and he had to quickly get out the ramp for the back door. Not a problem. Marcia went right in. Pat looks fine and she is handling the chemotherapy reasonably well. It is certainly good to see them again!
A little while later Dorothy, Jon, Robyn, and Vallerie arrive. Vallerie is a few years older than Robyn but the two of them get along extremely well. This is the Whiting's first visit to Pat and Bobby's new location, and so after lunch it is time to see the place. And I get to see what Bobby has done since our first visit. By way of videos and running through the sprinkler the girls are kept entertained while the adults catch up.
The big event of the day was the braai. Two fires were started and the wood was burned to just the right stage before the fish and the kebabs could be brought out. As the cooking proceeded we all got a bit smoked and had a good time playing a silly game called Pass the Pigs. In this game we rolled pigs instead of dice and scored points based upon how the pigs landed. A snouter, a leaner, ...! Then dinner was ready and it was delicious. South Africans sure do enjoy their braais! And so have we!
On Sunday Bobby took Jon, Robyn, Vallerie, and me to Yzerfontein, a small village on the Atlantic just west of Darling. The girls went splashing in the water and played in the sand, but the water was much too cold to actually swim in it. And the wind was blowing briskly, but the sun was beaming down brightly. As we walked along the beach I noticed a snail in the sand in the surf zone. I showed it to the girls. That set Vallerie on a quest to collect every one on the beach. She had a wonderful time finding these snails and then releasing them so she could find some more. Not sure how many she ultimately found but it was at least 100.Not sure which snail this is, but it sure was numerous along this beach. I could feel it using its radula on my finger as it probed its environment.
Once all of us were chilled enough we headed back to the bakkie. Here are Jon, Robyn, and Vallerie warming up as we get ready for the ride back to Darling.
As we drove back back to Darling Bobby showed Jon and me the property he and Pat own in town. Several pieces of it are on the market but one piece may be where they build a new house. It is in a great location with a stunning view across the valley to the mountains many kilometers to the east. Maybe that is where we will see them if we get back to SA in the future. Sure would be nice!
When we get back to the house Bobby's dad and a couple, Peter and Maryann Price, who were long-time friends are there to join us for lunch. Bobby and Peter have known each other since they were kids. And what stories they had! And what stories Peter had about all sorts of things! And then when another younger couple (she is a real estate agent) arrived to talk about Pat and Bobby's properties there were many stories about doing business in South Africa. What an entertaining and informative afternoon it was!
Then it was time for the folks from Cape Town to head home. Dorothy and Jon loaded up the girls and headed out. We headed home shortly after. But before we left we promised Pat we would be back before we left for VA. We couldn't leave SA without visiting these wonderful people one more time! She has her next chemo on Nov. 8th and so a week or so after that she should be feeling well enough for us to visit. Such special folks. It feels like we have family in SA. What a nice visit!
Edward
posted by Marcia & Edward @ 10:38 PM
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