August 2021

The end of July saw Roger’s mom receive her 2^nd vaccination dose, while we had our 1^st. We are very fortunate to be close to Sandton and thus the Discovery Head Office. It was such a pleasure to go there. Their efficiency was remarkable compared to the other sites we tried beforehand. I have to admit that I was rather nervous while waiting my turn. I never take the flu vaccine, so this was a whole new experience for me. Anyway, I survived and did not even have side effects, other than a tender arm for a day.

Roger’s birthday was on a long weekend, so we decided to go to Wakkerstroom with Ufudu and stay on our stand. We need to get a feel for the place in order to start planning the development. He fetched Ufudu on Thursday the 5^th and we left from Rosebank on Friday the 6^th.

Our first call was at the municipal offices to enquire about our account. We’ve not had one to date and I worried that it was falling behind. But we had no luck; the system had been ‘down’ for the past three weeks! We would have to go back to Volksrust and ask there; Wakkerstroom is only a satellite office. So, we had lunch at the bakery before heading back the way we had come. At the Volksrust Municipality, with the impressive name of Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality we had no better luck. Again, the system was ‘down’ and they could not help us. Roger, as always, was not about to take that lying down. After some enquiries at the help desk the lady gave him a number to call, I suspect just to get him off her back. Well, that was a surprise. A friendly, helpful, and efficient man called Ramakosi answered, willing and able to help. He checked that the account was in our name, updated our contact details, sent us a map of the stand, and generally answered all our questions. All of that telephonically and via WhatsApp, while working from home!

Back in Wakkerstroom we parked Ufudu, planning to walk wherever we needed to be. We were no sooner settled in when the neighbour from across the street, Mark Eatwell, came to meet us. He kindly offered for us to empty our toilet into their septic tank when required, as well as to top up with water.

First thing the next morning we attended an auction. There was nothing of interest, besides getting to see how the locals interacted. Then we walked to the bridge over the river at the wetland area and down to the bird hide. Not much was going on there either, being mid-winter and all.

After coffee at the bakery, we went for lunch at Thyme Out restaurant, which we were told belongs to our other neighbour Sean. While waiting for our food we met more folk, and also the owner Sean. All such lovely people; we were getting even more enthusiastic to become part of the community. The food was superb; we can definitely recommend visiting Thyme Out.

After a short siesta we went back into town again, this time to visit the Mucky Duck for our evening meal and to watch the rugby; Springboks vs British & Irish Lions. It was a festive crowd; it felt like we were on another planet, with not a mask in sight and everyone just having fun.

Sunday late morning saw us having coffee at the bakery once again before starting the very long walk to Weaver’s Nest for lunch. It consisted of a set menu in a homely setting, with what seemed to be the whole family helping with preparation and serving. As interesting as it was, it was not my style of eating out; already dished up, huge plates of ‘boere kos’ including vegetables sweetened with lots of sugar and extremely sweet desert. I hate sending food back but really, it was just far too much. We will not be going back there in a hurry.

All too soon the weekend was over, and we had to think of heading home again. But first we visited Gwynne and Rupert, met Ina and Ian MacDonald and had a tour of their very quant home, visited Tony and Colette in their container home and had lunch at the Goathouse Deli.

It was a good weekend.

The 14^th of August brought devastating news. Alesia’s father Tertius died of COVID. He had been in hospital and in/out of ICU for the past month. What a sad day; such a gentle man. May he rest in peace.