20 July 2020
Where to even begin? My last post was on the 8th of June (day 74). 42 days have passed and so much has happened since…
Life continued, as it always does, following more or less the same daily routine as before. We made sure we purchased enough wine to see us through a next prohibition, should it be required. I participated in my weekly virtual Pilates classes, went to weekly art classes, attended the weekly crochet group’s get-togethers, as well as going for regular 5 km walks in the suburbs.
We had another dinner date with our neighbour and illegally crossed the provincial border more than once to go to the hangar at Silver Creek Gorge, and to visit the family in the Rustenburg District.
I was pleasantly surprised when Sue decided to have lunch with us on the 16th of June, her birthday. She is by nature a loner, but this proved, once again, that forced isolation goes against human nature; it somehow changes one’s psyche. Anyway, we had a great lunch and a pleasant afternoon.
With the limited job opportunities in SA and a lingering wanderlust Corné landed himself a job in the USA as a contract worker. South African men are sought after in that country and the remuneration is good. What a wonderful opportunity! He left the country on the 23rd of June for his second season in the USA. With him now a grown man and seasoned international traveller I could not help thinking about a trip Roger and I took with all the kids when they were still very small. It was 2005.
My sister and her husband owned a holiday unit in Uvongo on the KZN South Coast and we had an open invitation to make use of it. So, Roger and I decided to take all the kids there for a long weekend. It required some organisation though. It had to be on a weekend where Roger had at least 3 consecutive days off, he had to get rebate tickets for myself and the 4 of children of which 3 were not on his personnel file, and the unit in Uvongo had to be available. It all came together, and we were eventually on our way to the airport. Then the real challenge started. Anyone that has ever travelled rebate would understand that there are no guarantees. Needing 5 seats, for myself, Kevin (11), André (10), Corné (8) and Simoné (4), was a challenge indeed. Roger would travel as staff. He phoned ahead but was told the flight was full. After much debate we decided to attempt it anyway.
On arrival at the airport, we heard the ‘last call before gate closing’ of the flight we hoped to take. Rebate seats are only finally allocated once the gates have closed. When we arrived at the gate, breathless, we were informed that we were too late. The irony was that they had exactly 5 seats available due to folk that have not pitched! Roger contacted the captain of the flight, Hennie Louw, and after a quick discussion, he very kindly decided to wait for us. Wow, what a relief. We had to run down the air bridge while the cabin crew were waiting to close the door. How embarrassing to walk down the aisle with everyone giving us ‘that look’ because we were the cause of the flight being delayed. Anyhow, we were on and that was all that mattered.
Our seats were scattered all over but at least I had Simoné, the youngest, with me. Kevin was fine as he had flown on more than one occasion before but the other 3 were all wide-eyed novices, separated from me and trying very hard to appear brave. There wasn’t a seat available for Roger, he would have to wait for a later flight.
I collected our rented car at King Shaka International Airport, and we headed for uShaka Marine World where we would wait for Roger to join us. The boys played on the water slides, tubes, and whatever they had the courage for, only checking in to have a snack or a drink before running off again. Simoné was only 4 so I made sure I stayed close to her.
Roger was dropped off by the staff bus a couple of hours later and we headed off to Uvongo with happy, excited children chatting on the back seat.
After settling in we went exploring. Of all the sites and possibilities, the most alluring was the Uvongo Lagoon. There was a place on the rocky side of the river that had graduating steps from which the boys could jump into the river. They were beyond excited and pumping with adrenaline to try that out. As soon as they felt comfortable with a height, they would try a higher point for the next jump. Kevin and Corné were the most adventurous but André was not intimidated, ignoring their jibes. He took his time and eventually got to their level as well, much to his own delight. That satisfaction of achievement is something to observe!
Simoné was too small to join the boys but she was no less adventurous. She had a tube with which she ran up the river for some small distance, probably about 30 metres, where Roger had to launch her into the stream while I was waiting at the bottom. Roger would then run down to be there when she arrived and to catch her before she was swept out to sea. She loved it, immediately running up again for the next round. She eventually just jumped in on her own with a little screech of excitement while we waited at the bottom. I think all the children’s parents would have had heart failure if they knew what their brood were up to…
In the words of Helen Keller: “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure, life is either a daring adventure or nothing“.
We got to our accommodation after a whole day of play despite the cold and drizzle. Corné was sitting on a plastic beach chair. He was wet, shivering, blue around the mouth from the cold, and covered in snot when he announced with conviction:
“Letitia this is the best holiday I’ve ever had!”.
Well, that made it all worthwhile indeed.