Here are my answers to this week’s fun questions from Di

Would you like to have your own private jet?
I was absolutely meant to have my own private jet but unfortunately, something went wrong and I have found myself travelling steerage along with the lesser mortals of this world. I have not even had the good luck to be upgraded for no reason whatsoever like a few of my luckier friends who tell me it was an awesome experience. If I had my own jet as the gods intended, it would be on standby to take me on urgent missions like seeking out where hostages are hidden and rescuing them from their evil captors!

Would you like a chauffeur to drive you everywhere?
Oh, without hesitation. I want a chauffeur who glides through traffic like a Zen master. Someone who can reverse‑park into a space the size of a shoebox while I sit in the back pretending to be extremely important. Ideally, the car would also have heated seats, a bottomless supply of biltong and champagne, and the ability to magically avoid every pothole on the South African roads.

Would you like to live on your own desert island?
A desert island? Absolutely not. I’ve seen enough survival shows to know I’d last about 14 minutes before trying to befriend a coconut. But a tropical island with warm breezes, turquoise water, and luxury accommodation — now that I could work with. I wouldn’t want to live there alone, though. I’d bring the people I love, plus a small staff who’d be treated like royalty and get plenty of time off to enjoy the island, too.

Have you ever had anything made to measure (suit, dress, shoes etc)
Oh yes — growing up, my mother made most of my clothes. She could look at a pattern, raise one eyebrow, and somehow produce a perfectly fitted outfit as if by sorcery. Later on, I made clothes for myself and my children, following the pattern instructions to the letter. I even made my middle daughter’s matric dance dress – with my mother’s expert guidance! I no longer do dress making!

In 1996, I paid a professional dressmaker R600 (£26) to custom-make a green silk dress for my daughter’s wedding. I have worn it to many glamorous functions, the latest being at my granddaughter’s wedding in 2024. To put things in perspective, today the same dress would cost R2700 (£120). Considering that I have had this dress for 30 years, I’d say I got my money’s worth!

And here are The Earl and me looking like we belong in the world of private jets and chauffeur-driven limousines. But really, we’re just guests at our granddaughter’s wedding!

Gratitude: One from Carolyn this week.

It was fun to fantasise about a different world this week but I love this meme above. It is the little things that matter and make one grateful.