We went to Marloth Park for eight days at the end of September. We had a long list of things to do so there wasn’t much time for just chilling and enjoying the place. Top of the list was to paint the roof. Not that it really needed painting yet, but Roger was keen to try the titanium-based Plascon Nu-Roof Cool paint that proved to be such a success at the hangar.
He was lucky enough to get Chigo to help again. First the old paint was scrubbed off with a wire brush, then came the primer, and then the very special topcoat. It took time and effort. I felt sorry for them; it was extremely hot up there.
While he was at it, Roger removed the metal bracket and very long bolts that were still in place where the previous owners had a solar panel installed. On the ceiling side the bolts held a metal plate flush against the knotty pine ceiling planks. The wood underneath was rotten through so he just cleaned it up as best he could and then had to put the plate back again to conceal the damage. This proved to be a challenge because it required two sets of hands, one from the top and one from below. The roof has a high pitch, and the ceiling follows that from the inside. I was too short to assist from below, even with the aid of the ladder. So, guess what? I got the top job. But first I had to learn how to use a vice grip. With an ‘appie’ to assist, the job took a lot longer than it should have, but we managed. Fortunately, Roger did not have an electronic display to show his frustration levels!
While Roger was busy outside I set about sanding down and varnishing the ‘new’ chairs in our lounge area. The space also got a blind. I only managed to finish two of the four chairs, but it took a lot of effort. Next two next time…
We had a lot of ‘visitors’ this time round. It is such a treat to watch the wildlife from your home.
A troupe of vervet monkeys passed by for the first time in years while we were at the house. They spent a long time romping on the roof, chasing each other in the trees, and just chilling around the house. The alpha male attempted to enter the house and was not at all happy when I blocked his way. He actually threatened me and only moved off reluctantly once Roger came to back me up.
We were more than happy to accept an invitation to braai with our neighbours Jarred and Noleen. Roger especially needed a break; he had been working so hard. Jarred and Noleen are permanent residents. We had a lovely evening.
We’ve had our property for the past 19 years and have always believed that our actual location, away from all the main points of interest, accounted for us being so ‘isolated’. Sadly, that will now come to an end. Building will soon start on the stand adjacent ours, between us and Jarred and Noleen.
With being so busy we did not have a chance to do the usual day visit into KNP. So, we decided to travel through the park on our way home. Roger wanted to visit another Bathawk owner en route so it would all work out nicely.
It had started raining a few days back, so the weather was cool and overcast. We did not have any ‘wow’ sightings, but it is always so good to be in the park.
We had a reservation at Satara camp for the night, and as we got closer Roger suddenly had a moment of panic. He had forgotten to pack the plug for the airbed! He soon came up with a plan though; the short screwdriver would fit perfectly. Perhaps.
Because the car was so laden when we left home we decided to take our hiking tent and only the bare essentials. It was for one night only, after all. The tent was sticky from being folded up for so many years, so we very carefully unfolded it and gently separated the stuck-together sides. There was no damage and before long our tent was standing. Being a technical mountaineering tent, it had a double layer to protect against adverse weather. Thankfully, the screwdriver fix also worked just fine.
By sunset it had become icy cold. Getting the braai going was a challenge due to the hectic wind. We eventually took shelter behind the bakkie which was parked between the braai and the table, occasionally running to the braai to check on the meat before hurrying back again.
Being summer and being so far north we did not consider bringing seriously warm clothing or bedding. Once we were in bed at least we did not experience the wind chill. It was still too cold to be comfortable under just our light summer blanket though. I eventually slept wearing all my clothes in layers and covered myself with a small, square dog blanket that we used to protect some furniture that we transported. Thank heavens for that blanket! The last time I was so cold was in mid-winter, at the Kapokvlakte overnight hut on the Naukluft trail in Namibia.
We packed up early the next morning and stopped for a packed breakfast, overlooking a dam. After breakfast we continued our slow drive and left the park via Orphen gate.
Roger arranged with Henry to see how he kitted out his Bathawk for crop spraying. His farm is in the Lydenburg district. We spent an hour or two chatting to Henry and his son Koos about all sorts, and more specifically about the crop spraying. What they do is rather impressive, and Roger is considering a similar conversion for Buzz, hoping to be of service to Eugene some time in the future.
We arrived back home late that evening. It was a good, productive trip.
Jan-Louis had his first birthday on the 2nd of October while we were away, so we only had occasion to give him his birthday present a week later; an Oztrail camping chair.
The Silver Creek social committee’s next event was to host a fly-in October Fest on the 23rd of October in collaboration with the Brauhaus management. Getting it all set up was fun. First the beer kegs had to be fetched, by aeroplane of course.
Top right & bottom: Anthea managing very well!
Eugene and Marlene both enjoy the Brauhaus beer so they joined us for the evening. There was a good turnout at the event and fun was had by all. There was even some German folk singing and Ronald entertained us by performing a short stand-up comedy show.
Roger’s mom decided that it would be better if she didn’t own a car any longer. Gordon was keen to take it over, so Roger arranged for himself and Mom to deliver it to him. The car was parked in our basement, so Roger used it to fetch Mom on Sunday the 24th of October. He had her drive back to our house while he sat in the passenger seat. He was most impressed at how well she still handled the vehicle and navigated through the city, complete with handbrake pull-offs, observation, the whole works! From our house to Walkerville she was on her own, following behind Roger who drove the Hilux, a trip of about an hour.
After a short visit and lunch they headed home again, leaving the Corolla behind. Sadly, the end of yet another phase in Mom’s life…