Modern Life

Aidan’s Daddy has got a job in Hong Kong, and has gone there ahead of his family. He is finding somewhere for them to live and a school for Aidan.  But English speaking schools are oversubscribed in Hong Kong and can afford to be choosy as to who they accept.  Which is why Aidan, who is five years old, has to be interviewed by Skype link from South Africa to Hong Kong.  And he says he doesn’t want to.

Lucas

While Aidan’s Mummy, Tanya, is encouraging him, Marjorie and I take Aidan’s little brother, Lucas, for a walk.  Lucas is two and liable to scupper anybody’s Skype interview.  He’s small and noisy and healthy and likes climbing things and swinging on things.  He also likes getting up behind Ben, the Rhodesian Ridgeback,   putting his hand between the dog’s back legs and squeezing its genitals.  “Winkie,” he shouts, “Winkie”.   The dog, who has been castrated a few weeks ago, doesn’t actually seem to mind and Ben’s bottom and Lucas are around the same height.

I drove to Marjorie’s in Rheenendal on Wednesday afternoon.  I took the Meiringspoort route down to Oudtshoorn and I was a fool to previously say that it isn’t as spectacular as the Swartberg Pass.    It’s absolutely stunning.  The mountains that line it are sculpted and shaped and twisted about enough to take your breath away.  The landscape changes after Oudtshoorn and, after George, things look much calmer.  This is the Garden Route with coastline and lakes and green vegetation.

But I left my mobile phone behind.  It’s sitting on the table at Jenny and Tony’s and I was supposed to phone and say when I was arriving and I couldn’t.    I’ve hardly ever used the phone on this trip but it’s my security blanket.  And I am bereft without it .  And when I arrived at Marjorie’s I had to sit  outside the electric gate rudely sounding the car horn to announce myself. 

Garden visitor

Marjorie is my sister in law, the widow of one of Mike’s older brothers.   Aidan and Lucas are her grandchildren, making me their great-aunt.  The house at Rheenendal sits in a green, leafy garden.  There’s a fig tree by my window and lots of different birds keep arriving for a fig peck.  I’ve briefly seen a golden oriole .  I also have the best place for writing this blog - outside, behind the house.

Work space

Apparently Aidan’s interview wasn’t too bad.  “What does your daddy like to do?” they said.  “He goes on the computer,” replied Aidan. “And your Mummy?” “She likes pulling weeds.”

It’s less peaceful than when I was here last.  The boys are good kids but make the kind of noises you’d expect from a 5 and 2 year old, including pretending to be lions and tigers.

“Winkie,” shouts Lucas. “You’ll give that dog a complex,” says Marjorie.    

Marjorie and Lucas