Long gone are the days that I could get myself to the airport without a worry in the world, knowing that in most cases the flight will not be leaving without me, thanks to Roger being the skipper of said flight.
We had flight bookings with Kulula for Kevin & Lucy’s wedding celebration in Cape Town. With CAA’s recent tendency of grounding flights for reasons only they understand, my nagging concern was that something would happen to delay our flight and we would be late for the wedding. It would be my own fault I suppose, booking a flight on the morning of the event! But I went for the cheapest available flights on a long weekend…
I found it rather amusing watching Roger on his first fully paid, wait-in-the-queue-like-everyone-else, local flight ever! Thankfully, everything ran smoothly, and we pushed back on time. Our accommodation was at the venue and the owners gracefully agreed for us to take occupancy early, rather than insisting on the normal 2 pm rule. That allowed us time to freshen up before the church ceremony which was scheduled for 2:30 pm.
On our way to The Suikerbossie, Roger suggested that I call Kevin to let him know we had arrived and were on our way to the venue. Just as well, because all was not that well with him. He was driving Lucy’s car back to their apartment when it stalled and would not start again. He and Paul, Lucy’s dad, were trying to reach a tow-in company but without much success. So, we made a U-turn and went to assist. Lucy’s brother Richard arrived at the scene at about the same time as we did and between the four guys the problem was quickly solved; things were back on track again. After all the effort to get a tow truck, Paul now had to cancel it again…
The church ceremony was held at Christ Church in Kenilworth, the parish where Lucy and her mom Colleen both grew up. It was good to see people interacting normally outside the church, without wearing masks. Thankfully, some normality seemed to have returned to life again. It was, and still is, law to wear a mask inside public spaces so most folk complied. It was an interesting ceremony, almost like a renewal of their vows. Lucy looked absolutely stunning, and Kevin was a very handsome groom indeed.
After the ceremony there was a group photoshoot in the church grounds; of everyone, of family groups, of friends groups, and any other group imaginable. We all eventually dispersed and made our way to the venue where there were refreshments and lawn games to keep guests busy until the bridal couple arrived back from their photoshoot.
About two blocks away from the church I realised that I must have left my dark glasses behind; something I don’t often do. But, as always, things happen for a reason. On our way back to the church we found Adri and Graham stranded, this time with Kevin’s car. Its clutch had broken! They managed to get the car onto the pavement, locked it up, and we gave them a lift to their accommodation. From there they would get to the venue with Uber, which they had planned to do anyway.
Centre left: Samual and Duan. Centre right: A view over the ocean.
Bottom: The food was delicious…
The wedding reception was a lot of fun with great speeches, beautifully presented delicious food, and lots of dancing. Kevin and Lucy both have such a lovely circle of friends. I have to make special mention of Samuel, a school friend of Kevin’s, who flew down from Johannesburg to be one of his groomsmen (see photo above). Special times…
The weather could not have been better.
(marriage date 3rd July 2021 during hard lockdown)
We were fortunate to have Eugene and Marlene there as well. The rest of my family and Roger’s were not able to be attend. Sad, because they would all have been there the first time.
After a delicious breakfast with Kevin, Lucy, Eugene, Marlene and another couple on Sunday morning, Roger and I set out along the West Coast with Eugene and Marlene. They wanted to show us their plot in Trekoskraal that they had recently bought. They also took us to Saldanah Bay so see the stand that Francois and Adri had bought. Soon all three sons will be in the Western Cape, rather a long way from Wakkerstroom.
After our walk on the beach, we went to the Trekoskraal plot and to see Eugene and Marlene’s ‘office’; a container where they conduct their business remotely and Marlene does her leather work. While we were chatting inside, we heard a strange noise. It took us a few seconds to realise that it was a snake hissing; a very aggressive, low, repetitive sound that raised the hairs on my arms! Eugene immediately started a search to find it, but it was nowhere obvious. It was eventually found inside a shopping bag of petrified shells hanging from a hook against the wall. Using the pole end of a rake, and with the help of Roger, Eugene lifted the bag off its hook and carried it outside for the snake to be released. The snake was initially reluctant to leave its hiding place but with a bit of prodding by Eugene it made its escape with amazing speed and disappeared into the surrounding shrubbery. It was a mole snake.
We were back at their accommodation in Jacobs Bay for a braai in the late afternoon. Eugene was not feeling well, and it showed. He had been complaining of digestive discomfort, body aches and joint pains since the previous evening. He ate nothing. We had no sooner finished our meal when he hastily greeted us and dashed for the toilet. As we left to drive back to Cape Town we heard him vomiting violently. He was sick throughout the night and was later joined by Marlene. When they discussed their symptoms with their neighbours a few days later their new friends immediately said it sounded like food poisoning from red tide. Red tide is caused by algal blooms and produce powerful toxins that are harmful to marine life, birds, and humans alike. They then remembered that they had oysters for lunch just before the wedding the previous day. After taking a sniff and thinking that it was ‘off’ they sent it back to the kitchen. The manager would have none of it and proclaimed the oysters fresh and fit for consumption. Fortunately, Marlene had only one bite and Eugene not even a whole oyster. The two of them were by all accounts fortunate to have gotten off so lightly.
We had precious little sleep during the previous two days and were thankful for an early night. After a good night’s rest and a light breakfast the next morning, we headed for the airport. The rental car had to be back by 9h50. That done, we walked to Hotel Verde near the airport. Roger had been there before and wanted me to see it for myself.
The hotel has a very interesting ‘green’ approach. It was the first hotel in Africa to offer 100% offset carbon-neutral accommodation. During design and construction, the project followed the criteria of the Green Building Council of South Africa. I specifically like that they recycle greywater from showers for use in toilet cisterns. They also have a rather quant but innovative scheme of rewarding visitors for saving energy, recycling, etc. If you would like to read more about them, go to: https://www.verdehotels.com/capetown/green-story/
Jonathan and Debi joined us for brunch and a chat until it was time to check in for our flight back to Joburg. They insisted on dropping us off and we did not object.
The flight once again pushed back on time, and we were home before dark.
It was a good weekend!