Fortunately we enjoyed a hot sunny day with my sister Alice and her husband John when we drove to the Vanderkloof dam on the river Orange. It is a vast construction which gives hydro-electric power as well as supplying water for irrigating huge circular fields.
The contrast with the dry Karoo is striking. Behind the dam is a vast lake and we enjoyed the views walking near the edge, only seeing a tiny part of it.
We had thought we would get down to a beach area but instead took advantage of the local municipal pool, which like the ones in De Aar have a faded splendour about them. We suppose that the wealthy have their own pools, the poor cannot afford the small entrance fee or are not in the habit of swimming. Three small boys joined us as we cooled off.
We said goodbye to Alice and John just beyond a single track iron bridge across the Orange, on which monkeys (Vervet I think) scramble and run along the road! We also saw a group of springbok grazing near a rare pool. The rain we are having must be helping to bring some fresh grass but it has been badly needed we gather.
The next day felt very flat as I am conscious that we will miss the family hugely over the next couple of weeks of festivities. But as has happened before, the day took a sudden turn when heavy rain forced the PCC end of year party to be held in our house. We knew Tom had a 5pm meeting, the last of the year, but the notice about partners attending for a braai party had been given in Afrikaans so had gone over our heads. The first I knew was when some wood and a BBQ was delivered and the men asked if the wood could go under the shelter outside our back door. And a couple of the wives were hanging around while their partners started the meeting. Our main room was not really tidied, I was in very casual old clothes but we ended up having lots of people inside and offering wine and beer to go with the barbequed lamb and sausage and we really had a relaxed sort of evening. Some of the men took over the cooking outside, sheltered a little (see the photo which shows a different gathering in the 'porch' area.)
The rest filled the kitchen, opening cans for some salad (in this case creamed sweet corn mixed with either banana and cream, or crushed pineapple and cream. Not a tomato, cucumber or lettuce in sight! I shall put on weight so easily. ) Perhaps because it was held in our house, perhaps because a little alcohol reduced people's inhibitions about using english, but we felt much more included socially than before. They are getting used to us and we to them.
The cool weather has given us so much more energy and we realise why so little is done here at the height of summer. Today has been a holiday – Reconciliation Day – so in the absence of the caretaker Danny, a lovely guy who works at one speed only (very slow!), we did one of Tom's favourite things, turning through vestry cupboards and church storage spaces. Everything is covered with a sandy dust and it was obvious that no-one had attempted this for a good while. Boxes of paper await decisions by others but we were intrigued to find a receipt from the 1880s.
The following day was bright with a cool breeze and hot enough for a swim in the local pool which we had found closed a few times lately. We chose before lunch and lay in the sun briefly to warm up as the water was really quite cold but I realised later this was at the sun's strongest and I had already done a little weeding in our garden followed by a walk in the town. I suffered with a touch too much sun and felt wretched. We find it hard to think of you freezing back home.
Christmas shopping hasn't featured in our lives until this morning, when two stores provided gifts for those we need here- each other, churchwardens etc. The staff are so helpful and in the second shop everything was beautifully wrapped.
We have been thrilled to receive a few cards generously sent out in spite of horrendous postal charges. And many lovely greetings by email. So thank you for all of those.
We send our warmest greetings for Christmas and the new year and lots of love.
Emma and Tom
ps couldnt'download -or is it upload any more photos. May try tomorrow if signal is stronger.
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=104398
