Following on my previous post re friends:-
I went back to the hospital the next day, before his operation, and got past the nursing station by claiming to be the assistant anesthetist! They bought that one too! Amazing, what if I was a suicidal bomber / killer / pervert? Anyhow.... Maybe I'm a better salesman than my current employer believes!!!!
I then spent many hours in reception / waiting room / hospital restaurant, waiting for him to come out . The operation was due to start at 8.30am, he eventually came out at 10 past 1 pm! A nurse confirmed that he had been in theatre for 3 hours 45 minutes!
AlanP was diagnosed in November last year with a cancerous mass on his pancreas, and spleen. He also had cancerous lesions on his liver. The first point of attack was a rigorous administration of chemo - which ended well, successive tests showed his liver was clear! The mass on his pancreas though was still there. So an operation was required, and that's how we ended up in Durban, together.
After the operation the surgeon confirmed he had removed the whole cancer mas, as well as the spleen, and half of the pancreas. He was happy that they had got it all. They also found and removed 2 x 1mm cancer nodes on the liver - whilst they were in they decided to have a good look around and clean up! He also added that AlanP would need a few more rounds of chemo, just to make sure the cancer was all sorted.
Visiting hours in ICU are limited to 3-4pm and 7.15-8pm. I managed to get in most days at around 9.30am as well for a short visit! Me and my charm!
Then the other official visiting hours were split between me, AlanP's wife, his mother-in-law, his sister. We all got to see him, just that time was less. Oh, and as he was in ICU - only family can visit - I was the brother! Either that, or I was going to be his personal physician!
Anyway, he was doing well, and on Friday I decided to book my ticket back home for early Saturday Morning. I spent an hour with him Friday, and said we would meet up again soon.
Subsequently, I have been keeping in touch with his wife, and he had a bad night Friday, a bad Saturday, Not too good by Sunday. The only thing he wanted in the time I saw him was a sip of water, but the "nil per mouth" clause stood for at least 4 days!
by Sunday he was allowed water, and then he was moved to a general ward. Monday they started him on soft foods, and his wife says he's much better. I think there was a short period that he suffered from what is called "post op depression", probably caused by a combination of ICU, the major operation, taking him off of the morphine drip and replacing this with not strong enough pain meds, and of course, his driving need for water! And food. So now that he's out of ICU, getting water and food, and they have a stronger pain med, he's doing better.
In fact, she says he might be allowed to go home by the end of the week. if he was still not improving, the Princess and I were going to fly to Durban for the weekend.
If he is allowed to go home, we might still go to Richards Bay to visit hi m in Empangeni, or maybe wait a week or two till he's settled.
be blessed brother - see you soon!
Salagatle!
LIU - Look It Up!
-->
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Friends - Best friends - questionable acquaintances.
A while ago I posted a comment about a friend of mine who had called me to say that due to the lack of communication between us (from my side) he was downgrading our friendship to "acquaintances" status! I couldn't believe what I was hearing, but accepted it for what it was worth.
We had been good (best?) friends for a long, long time. I met him when I was about 16 years old, he had met my sister, and decided that to get closer to her - date her, he should make friends with her brother. No problem. We became good mates, and spent a lot of time together, having fun. Met our spouses, shared experiences with having our respective kids, etc. In fact, he got me the job at my current place of employment.
Stuff happened, he got divorced, remarried, had 2 kids.... and after much happenings, left the West Rand, and went to settle, and start over, in Jeffrey's Bay.
Now, I have never been a telephone person. Not sure if it's cause I spend so much time on the phone to clients, but that's how it is. We kept in touch, some phone calls (mainly him calling me) the occasional SMS, some interaction on Facebook.. the usual "social" chatter. But it would seem that this did not suffice - so? He's also become very, very religious, to the point where he was getting pushy. OK, so that's how some people are, I had no problem with it. I then became his "cause". Kind of like he felt it was his mission to "save" me. I appreciated the effort, his calls, input, advice, guidance - in fact at one point I referred to MikeB as my personal spiritual mentor!
A few weeks ago we had another "fallout". Over the past few years, he has also been my bouncing board with regards me complaining about my current status at work. he would have ideas for me to leave and stuff I could do after, and I always took them into consideration - BUT, the decision to leave would be mine, and mine alone, and on my terms. This is the part he "struggled" with. Truth be told, he does not really understand my situation, as he has been "absent" for too long. Anyway, he called a few weeks ago, and was rather upset - again. Ranting on about how I say things, but don't do them (talking about leaving my current employer - so, what part of it's my decision does he not understand?), and then brought up a whole lot of stuff that happened a long time ago, which at the time I didn't see as an issue, but he must have cause he still
remembers them, and felt he needed to throw them into my face!
And so our friendship, as such, is basically terminated - I prefer the word Fucked - but that's just me. I mean, I think he has more issues to work through than I have. He just happened to also have been the MC at my wedding.
Where am I going with this?
OK, so 23 years ago, when I got married, AlanP was my best man. We had been best mates for some time, and he was the obvious choice. Along with my brother. We stayed friends for some time thereafter. Eventually his work moved him to Empangeni, where he started up a new branch for them, and did very well. In the early 2000's probably around 2002 / 3 time frame, we stopped communicating. It wasn't a specific effort, nothing happened, nothing was said. I didn't visit my brother in Richards Bay very often anymore, so didn't get round to visiting him either. And phone calls stopped, etc. No bad blood. Just happened.
2 Weeks ago the Princess (who is friends with him on Facebook - I have no idea why I didn't have him as a friend) told me that it seemed he had got very sick, and only now had posted something about it. I had a look, and saw he was posting about having come through a bad session of Chemo, and was due to go to hospital for an operation. I went onto his face book, and sent him a personal message of support. I then got his email, and sent him a message via email.
He came back with some special words, and I decided to call him. Driving home after work, I dialed his number, which I still had after all this time, and we spoke for over 40 minutes. We kind of touched on why we had stopped communication, but no blame was apportioned - suffice to say that these things happen. But then me told me something which was a real eye opener. I was still his best friend. In all his life he had only had 3! Me, Mr. Van, (a mutual friend we had that passed in 2000), and a guy from his church who had proven his friendship beyond a doubt recently during AlanP's chemo treatment, and the challenges that are associated with having cancer. Me! After so long, I was still his best friend.
That brought home to me the real meaning of friendship. A connection that surpasses every challenge that might come up. Something that just endures, because it really is a special relationship. Thank you AlanP!
So, he was due to go into hospital on Tues 24 Jul, and be operated on on Wed 25th. I had a chat with the Princess, went to work Monday 23rd, had a chat with the boss, and took 3 days leave (Wed - Fri). Booked a flight - one way - to Durban, booked a car hire, and Tuesday afternoon flew down to see my friend!
Unannounced!
I found out where he was in the hospital. Went to the nursing station and said "I know it's not visiting hours, but you have a Mr. AlanP here, and I have just flown in from JHB." One of the nurses asked "Are you his brother?" - "Do I look like his brother" I asked. "Yes" she said (seems like us whiteys all look alike to the Indians!) - and on that basis they allowed me to go and see him! "5 Minutes" she said. "OK". I stayed for about 40! When I walked into his room, his first reaction was "What the fuck are you doing here?" Big eyes, great smile, surprised, and so, so happy to see me. In the 40 minutes I was there we managed to catch up on a load of lost time - swapping information, etc. Suffice to say, we have loads more to discuss and catch up on - the reason for becoming friends in the first place was still there!
I was there for him, and he knew and appreciated it. No expectations, no finger pointing - no accusations, no shit! He told me the events that led up to him being in hospital, I caught up on where his kids were and what they were doing, and gave him a summary of our situation, family wise. Done!
The point I want to make is that "best friends" means different things to different people I suppose. The expectations are tailored by the people involved, and what they feel they want out of the relationship.
Of the above two scenarios, I must conclude that AlanP is a real best friend, and that MikeB, although a very good friend at the time, can't be classified as a best friend, because of the expectations he puts on a relationship.
My decision to go and visit, and be with AlanP at this time was based on two things:- a) I am a cancer survivor, and felt I could add value to him by reinforcing his mental state around his situation by giving him a pep talk, and b) His statement to me that I am still his best friend - if he didn't deserve my visit, no one would!
Salagatle!
We had been good (best?) friends for a long, long time. I met him when I was about 16 years old, he had met my sister, and decided that to get closer to her - date her, he should make friends with her brother. No problem. We became good mates, and spent a lot of time together, having fun. Met our spouses, shared experiences with having our respective kids, etc. In fact, he got me the job at my current place of employment.
Stuff happened, he got divorced, remarried, had 2 kids.... and after much happenings, left the West Rand, and went to settle, and start over, in Jeffrey's Bay.
Now, I have never been a telephone person. Not sure if it's cause I spend so much time on the phone to clients, but that's how it is. We kept in touch, some phone calls (mainly him calling me) the occasional SMS, some interaction on Facebook.. the usual "social" chatter. But it would seem that this did not suffice - so? He's also become very, very religious, to the point where he was getting pushy. OK, so that's how some people are, I had no problem with it. I then became his "cause". Kind of like he felt it was his mission to "save" me. I appreciated the effort, his calls, input, advice, guidance - in fact at one point I referred to MikeB as my personal spiritual mentor!
A few weeks ago we had another "fallout". Over the past few years, he has also been my bouncing board with regards me complaining about my current status at work. he would have ideas for me to leave and stuff I could do after, and I always took them into consideration - BUT, the decision to leave would be mine, and mine alone, and on my terms. This is the part he "struggled" with. Truth be told, he does not really understand my situation, as he has been "absent" for too long. Anyway, he called a few weeks ago, and was rather upset - again. Ranting on about how I say things, but don't do them (talking about leaving my current employer - so, what part of it's my decision does he not understand?), and then brought up a whole lot of stuff that happened a long time ago, which at the time I didn't see as an issue, but he must have cause he still
remembers them, and felt he needed to throw them into my face!
And so our friendship, as such, is basically terminated - I prefer the word Fucked - but that's just me. I mean, I think he has more issues to work through than I have. He just happened to also have been the MC at my wedding.
Where am I going with this?
OK, so 23 years ago, when I got married, AlanP was my best man. We had been best mates for some time, and he was the obvious choice. Along with my brother. We stayed friends for some time thereafter. Eventually his work moved him to Empangeni, where he started up a new branch for them, and did very well. In the early 2000's probably around 2002 / 3 time frame, we stopped communicating. It wasn't a specific effort, nothing happened, nothing was said. I didn't visit my brother in Richards Bay very often anymore, so didn't get round to visiting him either. And phone calls stopped, etc. No bad blood. Just happened.
2 Weeks ago the Princess (who is friends with him on Facebook - I have no idea why I didn't have him as a friend) told me that it seemed he had got very sick, and only now had posted something about it. I had a look, and saw he was posting about having come through a bad session of Chemo, and was due to go to hospital for an operation. I went onto his face book, and sent him a personal message of support. I then got his email, and sent him a message via email.
He came back with some special words, and I decided to call him. Driving home after work, I dialed his number, which I still had after all this time, and we spoke for over 40 minutes. We kind of touched on why we had stopped communication, but no blame was apportioned - suffice to say that these things happen. But then me told me something which was a real eye opener. I was still his best friend. In all his life he had only had 3! Me, Mr. Van, (a mutual friend we had that passed in 2000), and a guy from his church who had proven his friendship beyond a doubt recently during AlanP's chemo treatment, and the challenges that are associated with having cancer. Me! After so long, I was still his best friend.
That brought home to me the real meaning of friendship. A connection that surpasses every challenge that might come up. Something that just endures, because it really is a special relationship. Thank you AlanP!
So, he was due to go into hospital on Tues 24 Jul, and be operated on on Wed 25th. I had a chat with the Princess, went to work Monday 23rd, had a chat with the boss, and took 3 days leave (Wed - Fri). Booked a flight - one way - to Durban, booked a car hire, and Tuesday afternoon flew down to see my friend!
Unannounced!
I found out where he was in the hospital. Went to the nursing station and said "I know it's not visiting hours, but you have a Mr. AlanP here, and I have just flown in from JHB." One of the nurses asked "Are you his brother?" - "Do I look like his brother" I asked. "Yes" she said (seems like us whiteys all look alike to the Indians!) - and on that basis they allowed me to go and see him! "5 Minutes" she said. "OK". I stayed for about 40! When I walked into his room, his first reaction was "What the fuck are you doing here?" Big eyes, great smile, surprised, and so, so happy to see me. In the 40 minutes I was there we managed to catch up on a load of lost time - swapping information, etc. Suffice to say, we have loads more to discuss and catch up on - the reason for becoming friends in the first place was still there!
I was there for him, and he knew and appreciated it. No expectations, no finger pointing - no accusations, no shit! He told me the events that led up to him being in hospital, I caught up on where his kids were and what they were doing, and gave him a summary of our situation, family wise. Done!
The point I want to make is that "best friends" means different things to different people I suppose. The expectations are tailored by the people involved, and what they feel they want out of the relationship.
Of the above two scenarios, I must conclude that AlanP is a real best friend, and that MikeB, although a very good friend at the time, can't be classified as a best friend, because of the expectations he puts on a relationship.
My decision to go and visit, and be with AlanP at this time was based on two things:- a) I am a cancer survivor, and felt I could add value to him by reinforcing his mental state around his situation by giving him a pep talk, and b) His statement to me that I am still his best friend - if he didn't deserve my visit, no one would!
Salagatle!
Monday, May 07, 2012
Followers
According to the thingy I just added to my page, top left hand side list, I have a total of 4 followers - only 2 of which have visited lately. Oh well, 2 is better then none. Any ideas how I can get some more people visiting here?
Salagatle!
Salagatle!
Friday, May 04, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Pizza Sunday
For some weeks (months?) now, we have had what is fondly called "Pizza Sunday". basically, we are a bunch of good friends, who get together at one place each Sunday afternoon for pizza's. We take it in turn to bring some of the various requirements for the do, like drinks, or the cheeses, or fillings, or dough, or charcoal briquettes, or dessert. It's a lot of fun, and some good banter takes place.
The pizza's are done on a massive plate that fits onto a Weber (LIU) braai! 25 briquettes are lit, and when glowing, these are placed around the outer edge of the grid, the pizza pan on top, and the Weber cover on top of that. 20 Minutes later, it's done!
A lot of fun has been had experimenting with various fillings, and we even did a "breakfast pizza" with bacon and eggs!!
Each week the consensus is "This was the best one so far!"
What we have now included is a desert pizza! Yup, I know it sounds crazy, and coming from an Italian, completely out of kilter, but damn, have we got it down to a fine art!
A standard pizza base, with grated Albany (dark) chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate (Grated) spread over the base. Then, on one half, sliced strawberries (maximum 2.3mm thick) and the other half, marshmallows, and Marshmallow Easter eggs! All this goes onto the Weber the same way as the standard pzza, and 20 minutes later - WOW!
How does it taste? Like melted chocolate, and strawberries / or marshmallows, on biscuit! it's damn great!
Overall, a great weekly tradition, with great friends. And we home by 7 - 7.30 pm.
Salagatle!
The pizza's are done on a massive plate that fits onto a Weber (LIU) braai! 25 briquettes are lit, and when glowing, these are placed around the outer edge of the grid, the pizza pan on top, and the Weber cover on top of that. 20 Minutes later, it's done!
A lot of fun has been had experimenting with various fillings, and we even did a "breakfast pizza" with bacon and eggs!!
Each week the consensus is "This was the best one so far!"
What we have now included is a desert pizza! Yup, I know it sounds crazy, and coming from an Italian, completely out of kilter, but damn, have we got it down to a fine art!
 |
| Dessert Pizza - Sunday 26 Feb 2012 |
How does it taste? Like melted chocolate, and strawberries / or marshmallows, on biscuit! it's damn great!
Overall, a great weekly tradition, with great friends. And we home by 7 - 7.30 pm.
 |
| 2 x Giant Weber pizza's - nearly devoured!!! |
 |
| Biltong topping - cause we can |
 |
| Chocolate, strawberries, Marshmallow Easter eggs - on one half, and Feta and figs on the other half!!!! |
Salagatle!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, November 08, 2010
Barbers chair
Went to visit some friends on Friday night. On entering, I saw their latest aquisition. Nick had told me about it, and I was wondering what he was on about.
This is a 1930's barbers chair. Refurbished, and in perfect working condition. it's now in his favourite spot, in front of the fireplace, where he usually sits and reads - when he's in the country that is. He's the guy who spends so many months a year aboard his yacht on the South American coast.
Not what I would have I don't think. A good lazy boy is more comfortable - but hey, to each their own!
Salagatle!
Not what I would have I don't think. A good lazy boy is more comfortable - but hey, to each their own!
Salagatle!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The wedding......
WELL!!!!
Contrary to my previous post on this subject, it turned out to be probably the best wedding I have ever attended (apart from my own)! To say it was fantastic just does not do it justice! It was magnificent!
So, we left Friday morning (late) probably around 11 am. We were driving about 400 / 450 km, and it's all national road, with some tolls, so no problem with the distance or time required to arrive before dark. The Princess, as per usual, drove the fist part of the way, but then she needs to snooze, and I drove the rest of the way down. We got there in good time, and found out lodgings, and booked in.
The Coach house is, well, just OK. Rooms are nice, clean, but small things that matter are always what gets you. Like the shower. Great shower area, newly tiled. But don't expect anything more than a dribble from the hot water tap, and if you just open the clod tap, it blows ice cold. No planning, or proper plumbing there for sure! And then the mattrass. Why is it that these places can't, at some stage, replace the damn mattresses. When you lie on this one, and your feet meet your forehead due to the collapse in the middle, surely you must know that your guests will wake up with serious back problems?
Anyway, apart from that, the lodgings were acceptable, or, as per the Princess, nice and "Cottage"!
We had, on the way down, made contact with the groom. They were staying at a place not too far from where we were, and we had agreed to join them for a braai for the Friday night. So, once we had unpacked, and I had a crap, etc, we set off to a) find the wedding venue, and b) find the braai venue.
The wedding venue, Providence was a short drive (6.4km) from where we were staying, so that was easy, and on the same road. Turns out the braai was at a venue right next door to this, which was great too. No more driving around to find anyone / thing. We found the couple, and their family, and settled in for what would turn out to be a great pre-wedding evening!
This was a great venue. Some chalets arranged down one side of a trout stocked lake / dam. Great facilities, and a lapa for the braai function. Nice fire pit for cold night fires.....
Anyway, we left JHB in great temperatures, and expected the same here. However, once the sun went down, the temperature dropped significantly, and the pit fire became a must have rather than a nice to have.
The braai was great. People we met were great. Bride and groom - great! Their family, well, some nice, some strange, some... well, let's just say they are mostly normal family, and all made us feel welcome. Had a good time, but it got damn cold, so we didn't stay too late. Got back to the chalet smelling like firemen!!! Ah well, such is life in Africa.
Saturday morning, I was up quite early, after a very bad night, mostly due to the bad bed. Once the Princess was up, we decided to take a drive to the town nearby, known as Nottingham Road. Everyone always says it's a sweet town, a must see, with all these great places for breakfasts, and shopping and home made goodies and stuff. Well methinks they been smoking some really good shit out there!!!
It's a village, and a lazy one at that. Saturday morning, with visitors and cyclists and wedding guests all over the place and nothing opens before 9am! WTF! In JHB by 9am they have done 50% of the days takings! We drove around for a while, stopped at the only place that was "open", had a bad cup of coffee and decided not to stay for breakfast - and finally landed up at a shoe factory / outlet. Although the sign said they only open from 9am, we rang the bell at the gate (it was 8.45), and they let us in. And, as it turns out, the Princess found a pair of boots she's been wanting for the longest time there. So it was a good stop after all.
From there we made our way back into the village, and into a "shopping hub". The places were staring to open, and we had a good breakfast at one of the little restaurants there. Was a bit cold sitting in the open, still a chill on the breeze from the night before, so I bought a cheapish sweat jacket to cover up. Cheap enough.
The spend a while walking through brick-a-brack stores, a fly fishing / hunting shop, a general dealer type store where we got some stuff, a chocolate shop
that had more to offer on it's outer walls than in the store...... and a boutique, where the Princess didn't see even one thing she liked. And then we drove back to the chalet. Decided we might as well get some rest before the wedding, which was due to start at 2.30... Sharp! Got back to the chalet, and we lay down for a while, but didn't get any sleep - just read the newspaper and some other useless stuff found in the room.
Off to the wedding then. it's a great location, cute chapel.
By 2.20 we are seated - and so are most of the other guests. By 2.40 I'm beginning to think the groom has run off, never mind the bride. He gets there at 2.45. Oh, as an aside, he had brought his bicycle with for the weekend, and had done a 10km ride that morning! Anyway, he's there, so are the best man, and his son done up to the nines!
At about 3.00 the bride arrive, preceded by a bevy of lovey ladies,
including the grooms two daughters, and two of her friends. They all looked great. See pics...... The ceremony was nice, easy, casual, the preacher was great. Young guy, with a sense of humor, and an I Pod which he uses to refer to for his sermon! Afterward we all met with the couple outside, and did the wishes and hugs, and congrats and stuff.....
Then down to the gardens. This is where you start to realise that Dave, the groom, has the benefit of having attended probably more than a 1000 weddings over the years as one of the countries top DJ's. (See Top Jock). This was different, and everyone hung out, eating snacks, taking in drinks, mixing with whomever. Photos with the friends, family, others..... Even the cutting of the cake was done here at this time. Now that's different.
Later we filed into the reception hall. Once again, stunning layout, and great color scheme. Works for me anyway.
The MC was a scream. he's a wine maker, and a close friend of Dave's. He also did a Karaoke for the deaf. You WANT TO SEE THIS!!!! The toasts were great - mostly touching stuff. And then Dave's speech, which had nearly everyone in tears. The opening dance, then meals, great selection, more than enough, open bar..... Oh, they had a mobile photo booth there. With a box of dress up stuff, so you could dress up, and sit inside the booth, have 4 different photos taken, of which you cot a print out, and then all the photos were cut to a disc and given to the couple. great idea, and I'm sure there will be some good laughs when they go through that lot.
Also, outside, a video camera was set up, and one by one the couples were asked to go there and give an impromptu message to the bridal couple.
Anyway, we had a great time. Everyone was great - no overboard drunkenness, and, along with the bridal couple, we were amongst the last to leave. Slept like dead that night, after an exhausting day. next morning we were up bright and early for the drive home. On the way down the road we met with the newly weds, and said a last bye and thanks and enjoy you honeymoon - and then we were off.
Not a bad drive home. Average fuel consumption was 9 Lt / 100km...... and that was the wedding. Done.
Thanx Dave and Alexis for a fantastic day - event - wedding - function. Thanx for the invite - and for making us part of the family. Have fun guys - here's to a never ending partnership!!!!!
Salagatle!
Contrary to my previous post on this subject, it turned out to be probably the best wedding I have ever attended (apart from my own)! To say it was fantastic just does not do it justice! It was magnificent!
So, we left Friday morning (late) probably around 11 am. We were driving about 400 / 450 km, and it's all national road, with some tolls, so no problem with the distance or time required to arrive before dark. The Princess, as per usual, drove the fist part of the way, but then she needs to snooze, and I drove the rest of the way down. We got there in good time, and found out lodgings, and booked in.
The Coach house is, well, just OK. Rooms are nice, clean, but small things that matter are always what gets you. Like the shower. Great shower area, newly tiled. But don't expect anything more than a dribble from the hot water tap, and if you just open the clod tap, it blows ice cold. No planning, or proper plumbing there for sure! And then the mattrass. Why is it that these places can't, at some stage, replace the damn mattresses. When you lie on this one, and your feet meet your forehead due to the collapse in the middle, surely you must know that your guests will wake up with serious back problems?
Anyway, apart from that, the lodgings were acceptable, or, as per the Princess, nice and "Cottage"!
We had, on the way down, made contact with the groom. They were staying at a place not too far from where we were, and we had agreed to join them for a braai for the Friday night. So, once we had unpacked, and I had a crap, etc, we set off to a) find the wedding venue, and b) find the braai venue.
The wedding venue, Providence was a short drive (6.4km) from where we were staying, so that was easy, and on the same road. Turns out the braai was at a venue right next door to this, which was great too. No more driving around to find anyone / thing. We found the couple, and their family, and settled in for what would turn out to be a great pre-wedding evening!
This was a great venue. Some chalets arranged down one side of a trout stocked lake / dam. Great facilities, and a lapa for the braai function. Nice fire pit for cold night fires.....
Anyway, we left JHB in great temperatures, and expected the same here. However, once the sun went down, the temperature dropped significantly, and the pit fire became a must have rather than a nice to have.
The braai was great. People we met were great. Bride and groom - great! Their family, well, some nice, some strange, some... well, let's just say they are mostly normal family, and all made us feel welcome. Had a good time, but it got damn cold, so we didn't stay too late. Got back to the chalet smelling like firemen!!! Ah well, such is life in Africa.
Saturday morning, I was up quite early, after a very bad night, mostly due to the bad bed. Once the Princess was up, we decided to take a drive to the town nearby, known as Nottingham Road. Everyone always says it's a sweet town, a must see, with all these great places for breakfasts, and shopping and home made goodies and stuff. Well methinks they been smoking some really good shit out there!!!
It's a village, and a lazy one at that. Saturday morning, with visitors and cyclists and wedding guests all over the place and nothing opens before 9am! WTF! In JHB by 9am they have done 50% of the days takings! We drove around for a while, stopped at the only place that was "open", had a bad cup of coffee and decided not to stay for breakfast - and finally landed up at a shoe factory / outlet. Although the sign said they only open from 9am, we rang the bell at the gate (it was 8.45), and they let us in. And, as it turns out, the Princess found a pair of boots she's been wanting for the longest time there. So it was a good stop after all.
From there we made our way back into the village, and into a "shopping hub". The places were staring to open, and we had a good breakfast at one of the little restaurants there. Was a bit cold sitting in the open, still a chill on the breeze from the night before, so I bought a cheapish sweat jacket to cover up. Cheap enough.
The spend a while walking through brick-a-brack stores, a fly fishing / hunting shop, a general dealer type store where we got some stuff, a chocolate shop
that had more to offer on it's outer walls than in the store...... and a boutique, where the Princess didn't see even one thing she liked. And then we drove back to the chalet. Decided we might as well get some rest before the wedding, which was due to start at 2.30... Sharp! Got back to the chalet, and we lay down for a while, but didn't get any sleep - just read the newspaper and some other useless stuff found in the room.
Off to the wedding then. it's a great location, cute chapel.
By 2.20 we are seated - and so are most of the other guests. By 2.40 I'm beginning to think the groom has run off, never mind the bride. He gets there at 2.45. Oh, as an aside, he had brought his bicycle with for the weekend, and had done a 10km ride that morning! Anyway, he's there, so are the best man, and his son done up to the nines!
At about 3.00 the bride arrive, preceded by a bevy of lovey ladies,
including the grooms two daughters, and two of her friends. They all looked great. See pics...... The ceremony was nice, easy, casual, the preacher was great. Young guy, with a sense of humor, and an I Pod which he uses to refer to for his sermon! Afterward we all met with the couple outside, and did the wishes and hugs, and congrats and stuff.....
Then down to the gardens. This is where you start to realise that Dave, the groom, has the benefit of having attended probably more than a 1000 weddings over the years as one of the countries top DJ's. (See Top Jock). This was different, and everyone hung out, eating snacks, taking in drinks, mixing with whomever. Photos with the friends, family, others..... Even the cutting of the cake was done here at this time. Now that's different.
Later we filed into the reception hall. Once again, stunning layout, and great color scheme. Works for me anyway.
The MC was a scream. he's a wine maker, and a close friend of Dave's. He also did a Karaoke for the deaf. You WANT TO SEE THIS!!!! The toasts were great - mostly touching stuff. And then Dave's speech, which had nearly everyone in tears. The opening dance, then meals, great selection, more than enough, open bar..... Oh, they had a mobile photo booth there. With a box of dress up stuff, so you could dress up, and sit inside the booth, have 4 different photos taken, of which you cot a print out, and then all the photos were cut to a disc and given to the couple. great idea, and I'm sure there will be some good laughs when they go through that lot.
Also, outside, a video camera was set up, and one by one the couples were asked to go there and give an impromptu message to the bridal couple.
Anyway, we had a great time. Everyone was great - no overboard drunkenness, and, along with the bridal couple, we were amongst the last to leave. Slept like dead that night, after an exhausting day. next morning we were up bright and early for the drive home. On the way down the road we met with the newly weds, and said a last bye and thanks and enjoy you honeymoon - and then we were off.
Not a bad drive home. Average fuel consumption was 9 Lt / 100km...... and that was the wedding. Done.
Thanx Dave and Alexis for a fantastic day - event - wedding - function. Thanx for the invite - and for making us part of the family. Have fun guys - here's to a never ending partnership!!!!!
Salagatle!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)