memorablemeanders.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Meeting friends

Taking part in an evening 5km walk for cancer at the end of October, I was thrilled to meet up with a couple whom I'd not seen for ages. 
Di and Colin from the UK and moi 

Two days ago in the shop, a very talkative customer mentioned he works for Lestsing Mine in Lesotho. I immediately asked him if a certain person was still the general manager. He said, no that person had just turned 85. I said he was the GM of the diamond  mine in Oranjemund., Namibia when we worked there in the 90's. 

Then this customer and I looked at each other and asked each others names! Turns out Stu Bowen was in Oranjemund the same time as Grant and I worked there. Stu's daughter, Fay walked in and we told her we'd just realized we had worked together way back when. She got us to stand together and took the photo below. 
Jo and Stu Bowen, ex-Oranjemunders! 

Last week, two very smart ladies were browsing in my shop. The one turned to me and thanked me for speaking Afrikaans. I told them I come from the Free State and the lady said: I'm from Bloemfontein and my sister here is from Marquard. This lady turned to me and as I said: who are you? She said she was Elsabe, lived in the Marquard retirement village; knows my friend, Rina and knows my MIL, Pam as well. She looked closely at me and said: You are Amanda's mother-in-law! I laughed as I'm always known by connection: either John's mother, Amanda's MIL or Grant se vrou (Grant's wife!) 
Me and Elsabe from Marquard 


Never a dull moment while living in the Valley.




Sunday, November 4, 2018

Shadow

This morning the unthinkable happened - I found Shadow dead against the boundary fence. He had been killed by the dogs next door who managed to come into my garden while I was out. 

I am berating myself for letting Shadow and Ambrose out yesterday afternoon. Although Shadow hadn't come in last night, I was sure he would be at the door at 3am. Since Tanzanian days, Shadow has been the cat crier at that ungodly hour - he'd nag me until I got up and fed all the cats. 

I've realized you cannot search for a cat. Even if they've been injured. They either limp home: like Ginger did at the end of July when the dogs mauled him, but he fought like a tiger and managed to get away to safety and ultimately to the back door. Or you find them, like I did Shadow this morning. 

I'm so so so very sorry, my precious Shadow, for not being there when you needed me.

REST IN PEACE MY SWEET BOY

Shadow: 25 February 2010 - 3 November 2018 



Saturday, November 3, 2018

Bovine beauty

Returning from a walk with Skabenga on my day off last Tuesday morning, I was fascinated by the interesting line of cows calmly meandering to the paddock where they'd spend the day. 




The black in the bottom foreground, is the back of a cow...

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL!