I had a few errands to run for Nic yesterday morning (one day soon he will be able to pay me for these secretarial services). There were documents to be collected from UCT and couriered up to him in Pretoria and physio rehab equipment to be returned to the Sports Centre at UCT. As I headed up the hill towards to law faculty on middle campus I realised that this was probably the last time I would have any reason to be here. Over the last couple of months I have done lifts up and down more times than ever before in my life, so everything is now very comfortable and familiar. I even know the ground staff. I collected Nic's testimonial from the office and took a walk around the almost deserted campus. It was only 8.45 but already hot.
Then to Upper Campus to the Sports Centre. There was much activity on the Green Mile - fields were being mowed for the start of the Varsity Cup. I took another walk in the hot sun to take a few pictures and admire the beauty of the UCT campus.
I thought of all the good times spent on the side of these fields going way back to my teenage "groupie" years, then to watching all three of my boys playing on the muddy fields, the hours spent braving the icy cold winds and winter rain, sipping Old Brown Sherry under blankets and the exciting Monday evenings, beginning in February every year, when Matthew played in the Varsity Cup competitions. Wonderful times and great memories.
The most beautiful university in the world
I drove away, a little sad and thought that although it was now the end of an era for me and my family, Cecil John Rhodes and his legacy will live on regardless. There are new chapters opening in all of our lives. Things have that way of moving on. There is no rewind button but that half hour of nostalgia, on my own, in the hot sun was good for my soul.
I have been trying to sort out some bookshelves this week to make space for books that have been stored at Albion Road. Cleaning and sorting always takes much longer for me and I realise now why I do not do it as often as I should. It takes me on a completely different path and opens so many cans of worms. On the one bookshelf I found a box of old photographs. I had to take a picture and forward one to Kathy yesterday and after doing that, I thought "Something in here for a blog?". A short blog where every picture tells a story (bear/bare with me though, nothing is brief with me) This one started it all:-
Kathy and Vaughan in Plettenberg Bay
This picture was probably taken 20 years ago. Vaughan died about 16 years ago. This picture brought back so many memories. I love the way they look like brother and sister and their poses are exactly the same. I remember this old house we rented so clearly - an old double story on Central Beach. It was only supposed to sleep 6 or 8 but in true style we ended up with about 20 people for the Knysna Half Marathon sleeping wherever they could find a corner. Tents in the garden and thank goodness for an outside dormitory type room where the many children set up camp. This was the morning we were supposed to be packing up to leave. We had had a really big party the night before. Vaughan was so much a part of this time of our lives. His energy and enthusiasm were contagious (although you would not say from this picture). He built amazing sandcastles and dug trenches with the boys, he made jugs of amazing cocktails and fed us hangover breakfasts of toast, raw egg yolk, onion rings and cavier. He introduced me to Van Morrison. I miss him.
Boys and my Grandpa Carlson
This was Nic's 4th birthday (actually I see the candles in the background now and it was probably Matthew's 3rd birthday!!). My grandpa was a lovely old man who never showed much affection when I was young. I remember kissing him and he would always give me his cheek with his tongue marking the spot where the kiss should land. He loved my boys and was very involved when they were little, even looking after Gareth one morning a week when I was pregnant with Nicholas. He loved to come and visit me in the mornings and play a bit of soccer or cricket with them on the lawn. This was probably the last picture I have with him and all three boys. He died about 2 years later. A special man
A collage of fun with Nicky
This was made for me after her death by her daughter, Chantal. Each picture has a whole story to it and brought back floods of good memories. I think of her everyday, I see ladies in supermarkets with hair like her or a scarf like her but it is never her. I often think "What would Nicky think about this? Where is Nicky today when I need her?". The "Peace in the Home" she planted in my garden continues to grow and has spread into the lawn and made a thick carpet. Her spirit continues to shine and even more so now in the two precious babies that Chantal and Werner are expecting soon. The most special friend ever.
And on a happier note. I love this picture.
Tom and Dalene
My little sister and Tom are about to break all family records. Married for 30 years on Monday. Marriage is never easy and theirs has been no different except that they have supported each other loyally and have stuck together through some pretty rough times. I am so proud of them and the lovely daughters they have produced who are growing into wonderful young ladies with strong opinions and morals.
So tonight I am having a dinner party for the family. We have quite a lot to celebrate. My brother and Lucie are back from the UK where they spent Christmas and New Year, Gareth, Lucie and Rob have had birthdays in December and January which have not been celebrated properly, Steve and Caroline announced their engagement on New Year's eve and then the 30th wedding anniversary. Dalene is expecting Lesley and I to dress in our bridesmaid dresses. This is the closest she is going to get!!
January 1984
Best I leave blogging now and start getting organised for tonight. 17 people for supper. Any ideas on what to cook Nix? I have a song though.
Well,
it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the nights magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your
blush
Chorus:
Can I just have one a more moondance with you, my
love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my
love
Well, I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
And I know that the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
Holiday time... A couple of early morning swims in the sea (thanks for the tip re Dalebrooke Ellen and Biddy - it is awesome);
up at 6.30 one morning and still watering the garden in PJ's at 11 the next morning; catching on to Twitter (but not tweeting) and stalking on Instagram (except I cannot enlarge the pictures - why Gareth?); loving taking pictures on my iPhone and have downloaded some great "apps"; starting to spring clean in different places and not finishing one job properly (oh how I miss Albertina and another 2 weeks to go!!); taking decorations off the tree (I don't think I am going to pack the tree away though, it looks so good on our table)
time in the garden, nothing too energetic but loving the greenery
which book next?; afternoon sleeps and hot sleepless nights with cold showers at 4am; birthday parties, dinner parties - lots of wine; catching up on other blogs and enjoying holiday pictures of friends on Facebook Staying home for the holidays is not a bad thing Some other things to share:- You must read and look at these photographs - so sad but too beautiful. Then read the original blog post by Ali's sister here. This movie trailer looks pretty awesome. Not sure when it is coming to South Africa though and I wish these guys would come and sing and dance on my table - tonight!!
Happy New Year I am starting off the year on a good note with a blog post. I am surprised to see how many of you have stuck around and still read Just Stuff although sometimes weeks have gone by with not a peep from me. I am going to be trying to be a more diligent blogger. If I have any resolutions for 2014, this year I would.... like to spend more time writing and reading keep up the walking and fitness - strong is the new thin, remember? communicate better with faraway family and friends and if I can't travel to new countries and places, pretend to be a tourist in Cape Town, explore our beautiful city and province, visit new places, take public transport, walk new routes and generally learn more about our country On the subject of resolutions, some sensible stuff
some more creative stuff
and on a more practical note
Our house is now empty, the fridge is full and there are no boys to empty it. The coffee cups are in the cupboard and not on the floor next to the beds and the water bottles are filled and in the fridge. There is so much to be done around the house but I need to adjust to this new quietness. It was hard saying goodbye to Nic and Matthew - it always is. I am getting pretty good at putting things aside though and keep reminding myself that it is silly to get upset over things you cannot change, that this is an exciting time in both of their lives, that I am lucky to still have Gareth close by and that they will always come home and there will always be a bed for them. Best I change the sheets!! It has been a good Christmas season and an emotional one. Lots of fun and laughter and also sad tears for the end of certain chapters in our lives and happy tears for new beginnings. I hope that the new year is going to be good for all of us.
