SPIRIT OF PLACE: Wimbledon and the World Cup

There is no doubt that this week is all about sport: Both Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup Semis and Finals. Upstairs in the cottage we have great reception on all the SABC and E channels ……… downstairs I have rigged one of my internet bought USB driven aerials on the Sinotec ………… perfect E and SABC 3, but watching the soccer is reminiscent of 1977 TV in South Africa - great sound and lots of snow, but it really is far too early for bed as Belgium tackle France for a spot in the final.

Anderson’s match with the Fed is going to have to be followed on the phone and an “after work” visit to the Pig or the Plougman’s……..as are all the other tennis matches I’m afraid.

After watching some bowls on Sunday morning (well into 1.45pm) where Charmain and Rosemary were marking we eventually found ourselves at Guido’s to celebrate Charmain’s birthday with her two grandaughters from Cape Town, Meghan and Jenna, and their other Grandparents Derek and Glynnis who also live in Port Alfred. …………… all this wine and celebration followed again on Monday evening at Rosemary’s by a lovely potroast to say goodbye to Charmain who has been “packing for Perth”, and who left Tuesday for Cape Town before taking off for Perth next Monday. We are going to miss her brashly honest approach to almost everything, and wish her well during her ‘year out’ Down Under ………….. very much a necessary evil in this day and age if you are able to do it considering the huge bagful of problems our country is facing - which only seem to grow fatter daily as the bagfull of arseholes who are running the country manage to screw up things more and more as we move forward ………. or should I say ‘backward’. We did have a narrow escape on the way back to Bathurst on Monday night, just missing a black cow crossing the road …….. thank goodness for ABS braking and good enough tyres to hold the skid off to the right, allowing us a good 200mm clearance from an otherwise certain collision. Very scary stuff, with the Eastern Cape driving experience at night quickly catching up with Botswana and Mozambique.

Myself and two of my Zimbabwean team along with four locals started our very first Eastern Cape contract on Monday - a fairly substantial painting contract in Port Alfred with minimal markup (just to get my foot in the door) - but something at least, and hopefully a stepping stone to more work in the area. It will inevitably set the house completion back a bit, but turnover is the name of the game, and at this stage I really do need to charge down everything that might become available ……………. just a little “nudge” and “reminder” to all those we have met and got to know in the area.

On Sunday evening we decided to pop into the Bistro for a little musical “fix”. Not being able to fit in what we would have liked to have seen in Grahamstown. We did manage to take in one of our ‘old favourites’ …….. the very irreverent Nic Rabinowitz - funny as always and right to the point. A fantastic hour and a half of sidesplitting everyday honesty. Back to the Bistro: Barry played sets with Shannon Wright and Bev Brunette - hope I’ve got the spelling correct. The highlight for both Pat and I was Barry’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s 1970 blockbuster “Big Yellow Taxi” ………. Joni would have been really proud I am sure. Bev we believe has recently moved back to Bathurst of three or so years out in the wilderness ……….. we look forward to hearing more of her music and the opportunity to get more pics of her in action. These sets were followed by some really reminiscent covers by Shugg Dry who was then joined for some great pieces by his dad Rod Dry from the Silver Creek Mountain band - nostalgia is a really good friend at times.

UPDATE ON THE HOUSE: Everything seems to be taking just that much longer than expected - but we really are making progress. Sometime today we should be able to do the final plumbing tests and shut down any leaks before tackling the drywall finishes and doing the final plastering in the bathrooms and kitchen - this will be a huge hurdle completed………….then with a bit of luck by the middle of next week we will have all of the electrical wiring complete and ready for “hook up”.

The garden is looking stunning, with cuttings robbed from the entire area being planted everywhere in Pat’s newly landscaped beds, with her now the object of the Cape Robins’ and Chorister Robins’ attentions ……….. also now being followed by the Sunbirds in search of a shower as she waters the beds. There are three or four Drongas that also keep an eye on her in search of titbits as she digs and scratches in the beds and a thrush or two that appear every now and then.

The weather has been incredible - with the exception of two or three cool days its like summer here with temperatures during the day regularly approaching 27 degrees. We certainly haven’t experienced anything approaching “winter”, and are beginning to wonder if we have been fooled and are going to end up the subjects of a cruel joke.

Until next time ………