MARTA MEETS MOM

Maxie van der Vyver met her future daughter-in-law only days before Marta and Christiaan were married at her home in Postmasburg, a small town tucked into the corner of the Free State.
Originally from Poland, Marta’s home is now England where she tends customers at The Queensbury in Willesden Green while Christiaan designs computer-animated graphics.
Maxie and Marta took to each other immediately – but then both are warm, opening folk so it was a given – and the three travelled together to South Africa’s West Coast where they celebrated the honeymoon as one happy family - en famille, so to speak.

They spent the balmy days sunbathing on Britannia Bay’s Golden Mile beach and the evenings challenging each other at Trivial Pursuit. (Wonder if Marta let her ma-in-law win?)

From here to Langebaan and then back to Postmasburg for a spell on the family farm before returning to the U.K. on January 26th. Brrr!

You two newly-weds, have a wonderful life.

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RAPT UP

From personal experience I know that if I decide to enjoy a plunge-pot of coffee at See-Plasie local coffee and gift shop and garden nursery where indigenous and endemic plants prevail, the chances are that the Thearts and I will chew the proverbial cud over all things general and affairs tourism in particular for hours on end.
Lucy and Gerry (see “Summer Serenade” below) too were caught up in the charm of co-owners, husband and wife team, Rossouw and Monica and were simply enchanted by all that this very successful little business has to offer.
Determined to find something depicting dolphins with which to present me, the Veens found a stunning fabric-painted shawl, which Monica (left) has draped around her shoulders. (Rossouw’s the wit olifant in the meedle.)

SUMMER SERENADE

When Gerry and Louise (aka Lucy) came looking for a place to stay I had no idea what pleasure their company would bring me. I guessed correctly that the case contained a classical guitar (“Flamenco”, he gently chided me); I didn't realise that Gary Fane, as he is known inter-nationally, would produce such sweet songs.
In the three days they stayed with me I listened raptly to the words and music and learned about the days when he played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (ja, Bru!) and during those heady days he created a CD entitled Horoscope, an ‘80s musical interpretation of the zodiac (Google his name for the Rapidshare download or go Red Bullet, the recording company’s site).

His rendition of that wonderful John Denver oldie, Annie’s Song, clearly has great meaning for this happily married (“For over forty years now”) couple and as they sung harmoniously, they looked deeply and fondly into each other’s eyes.

I get the feeling I shall be seeing them again - perhaps when they visit South Africa for the fifth time. I hope so because I need to repay them in kind for the exquisite shawl they bought for me at See-Plasie Koffie- en geskenkwinkel: gold dolphins on a black background. The Dutch have always been wonderful visitors; the Veens were exceptional.

SLÁINTE

... which is cheers in Irish-speak (I'm a Byrnes, after all) and I'm sure you agree that's precisely what Alfred Titus and Judy Ferreira are wishing each other.
A spur-of-the-mo’ thing saw them careering to Britannia Bay, booking in late on Friday, dog-tired from the hustle and bustle of city life. But what a sight met their eyes Saturday morning! It’s as if the weather boffins had pulled out all the stops to paint before them a picture-perfect day. Mind, this season has been exceptional on the West Coast: blow all wind and only sufficient rain to dirty the windscreen of my car. Can’t complain about that then, eh?
Anyway, back to this delightful couple. They’re tying the knot on March 28th and have promised to send pics so that we can all share in their joy. Watch this space!

2009 - A NEW YEAR

It’s overcast and threatening to rain on sunny South Africa’s West Coast but, you know what? Through the window I can see a Southern Right whale in the channel in front of my house – and I think I even see a group of Heaviside’s dolphins in the distance. Now, what better way to welcome the New Year in than feasting my eyes on these cetaceans of the sea? To everyone I say a joyous and bountiful 2009, with less stress, more time and much, much more of everything good and clean and fresh tra-la-la (I sound like a washing powder commercial, don’t I, but you know what I mean.)

VERY SPECIAL FAMILY

Thought you’d enjoy seeing what my family looks like. Here Michael Ray gives me a hug, watched by daughters Shannon and Jessica and her friend Mario.
They detoured to spend two hours quality time with me at See-Plasie Coffee Shop and Nursery where cheesecake and coolies were devoured with delight.

Am I the lucky one or what?

NOW'S THE TIME TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER

Maryke Wiid returned from her six months’ sabbatical where she was caring for the elderly, landing at Cape Town Airport to be met by Jansen Myburgh who, in the meantime, has been slaving away at Maties for his B.Com degree.
They both needed time out to catch up with their respective lives and the deck and a glass of chilled white wine was just the thing to do it. Then a braai (barbeque to you wot don’t know the word) and watching fireworks across the bay as the clock struck midnight on Old Year’s Eve.

May you both achieve your goals this coming year and which hopefully includes time for each other.

A GRAND AFFAIR

In true Moslem style Ahmad Gallie married Dilshaad Allie (she sure makes life easy only having to make one letter change to her surname) on Sunday November 23 and as tradition would have it, the lady wore red, a most becoming colour to be sure.
They spent the first three nights of their honeymoon with me and in that time I learned a lot about their lifestyles, their career paths, their aspirations and just what lovely, gentle people they were.

Ahmad’s in the admin. department at Children’s Red Cross Hospital whilst Dilshaad recently moved to the economics section of the City of Cape Town. Wonder who is going to look after their kids and who will see to the finances?