Melanie is not well right now so Pensitivity is asking the SYW questions today. Thank you, Di.

When you’re on holiday, do you prefer self-catering or a hotel/B&B?

My favourite type of holiday is visiting game reserves in South Africa. The best and most inexpensive way is to camp or caravan. We enjoy many trips with our off-road Gecko caravan and of course we self-cater. Our caravan is equipped with everything we need and it is very comfortable. There is nothing better than sitting outdoors in a game park, glass of wine in hand and watching the sun go down. Bliss!

When travelling abroad (not since COVID) I am not too fussy and will seek something cheap and cheerful. It could be a hotel or a B&B. The next best thing to caravanning, though, is cruising. Once you’ve boarded and unpacked there is nothing more to worry about. Entertainment is free and all meals are catered! It’s just the best way to explore foreign shores without worrying about multiple flights, train trips or car hire.

 Do you have a favourite meal you cook for yourself or order when out?

I love to order what I am unlikely to cook or make myself e.g. Sushi. However, I do like to cook Bobotie and I order it at restaurants that I know do it well. Also anything Greek – moussaka, spanakapita, dolmades. None of these is easily available in the restaurants in my neck of the woods. But when we travel, that is what I go for.

In the current fuel crisis, have you made a conscious effort not to use the car unless absolutely necessary?

We put off a long road trip to Namibia because of the fuel crisis. Living where we do and being retired means we don’t need to use the car every day. We walk to the beach and harbour and to our favourite coffee shop.

If you were to compare yourself to a plant, what would you be?

I asked my husband what plant I am most like and he said – a daisy because they’re seasonal. I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean! But African Daisies are in flower in Spring, Summer and Autumn. And I am not at my happiest in winter so maybe he’s right!

GRATITUDE:

I am lucky to have a lot of happy memories from my childhood. Please share one from yours.

I have many happy memories of childhood. I was lucky enough to have had three siblings, lots of cousins and a big extended family. As kids, we were free to roam and play without adult supervision. We swam in the sea, climbed mountains and rode bikes all on our own and nobody came to any harm. It was a different time. My grandparents were awesome and now as a grandparent myself I have tried to be that kind of grandmother to my grandchildren.

Here are my answers to this week’s SYW from Sparks

Do you ever feel more excited about getting the package in the mail, rather than the item that’s in it?

Receiving anything in the mail is a rare and exciting event in my neck of the woods. Our wonderful little post office in Struisbaai is no longer in existence. Sadly the South African postal service is not terribly efficient. A magazine that I subscribe to is hand delivered by someone who collects said magazine for all other Struisbaai subscribers and delivers them to our doors. A dear friend in Australia sent me a gift via the postal service recently and it took three months to get to the post office in Bredasdorp, 30 km from here. Because we don’t get much delivered by post we check in at this particular post office only once a month. Sometimes there is absolutely nothing to collect. So, yes, when something in a parcel arrives by post I am very excited regardless of what the contents are.

The courier who delivers my orders from afar also gets a very warm welcome when he rings my doorbell.

What is the difference between your ideal self and your real self?  (i.e. what attribute or physical feature would allow you feel the ideal ‘you’?)

The difference between my ideal self and the real me is enormous. I am always somewhat surprised to look in the mirror and see an old lady instead of a gorgeous young girl with bouncy blond hair, sparkly blue eyes and clear unblemished skin! Sigh – the hair is dry and grey, the eyes dull green and the skin all wrinkly and marked with age spots. At school one day, one of the kiddies in my class asked me how old I was. When I answered that I was 21, he said, “My aunty is 21 and she doesn’t have crinkles!” To be honest, I have never looked in the mirror and seen the perfect me because she has never existed. So losing my looks has not been too much of a disappointment. I actually prefer my older self to my younger one. The striving to be perfect is over – now what you see is what you get – take it or leave it!

If you found $2,000 on the ground and there were no witnesses, what would you do with it?

I would certainly try to find the owner. Firstly, I would report my find to the police station and give my details. I would not hand the cash over. I am pretty confident that most of the officers at our local station are honest but one can never be too sure! Secondly, I would advertise on the group page that most residents of my town subscribe to. The one who can tell me how much I picked up will get it. If nobody comes to collect it then I’ll know I’m meant to keep it!

Are you ever morally obliged to take action? Under what circumstances?

I pretty much believe that we should live and let live but there are certain times when as responsible citizens we should take action. We would all certainly report criminal activity that we see but do we pay attention to the clues of domestic abuse or pedophilia? If we do we should certainly take action.

When travelling in game reserves I become quite annoyed if I see people feeding the wildlife. I don’t hesitate to explain to them that this is signing the animal’s death warrant. Most of them are ignorant of the rules and grateful to learn that their ‘kindness’ is actually wrong. Others show me what their middle finger looks like.

GRATITUDE SECTION
Please feel free to share how last week went for you.   Bright or not so bright spots?

It is winter in the southern hemisphere and here at the southern tip of Africa, we have been experiencing some very cold and wet weather. However, some days even though chilly are clear and sunny. We took the opportunity to do a spot of bird watching on a couple of the sunnier days. Our garden birds also give us great pleasure. Feeding birds in your garden is okay as long as you are sure to give them the right kind of food. We have a pair of rather cheeky Cape wagtails who have learned that there is a certain resident who is very generous with titbits of cheese. If they find the feeding table empty one or both will come to the sliding door and scream loudly for service. The Cape Robin is not far behind and both these species are quite happy to come indoors to explore and drop their calling cards!

Here are a few of the feathered creatures that brought us joy.

Here are my answers to this week’s SYW questions

What mythical creature would improve the world most if it existed?  (If you don’t know, just choose something that you think would improve things    )

I am sure that a team of fairies would bring a great deal of magic into the world. Each family would be assigned one and with the wave of her magic wand, she would improve every imperfection in the home. These fairies would also sit in parliament and make sure no corruption occurred. The fairies would also ensure that everybody engaged in work that they enjoyed and they would be around to sort out any problems that would crop up in people’s lives.

Sadly this is not going to happen and it is really only the human race that can improve things if only they would. There seem to be two forces working against each other – GOOD and EVIL. There are plenty of good people trying to make a difference and then those evil ones who spoil it all. The answer is to get the good guys into leadership and then there would be no need for a mythical creature to make it all better.

Should the death penalty be reinstated?  Why or why not?

I don’t think we have the right to take a life. But perhaps a lifetime in prison is an even worse punishment. I have no idea.

There are so many criminals in the world which begs the question, why? Why are prisons full of convicted people and yet crime still exists out there? We live in a sick society where too many people are without hope. Too many suffer from poverty, abuse and mental illness. Let’s not forget about the effect of drugs on behaviour too. Sort out the social problems and you will sort out crime.

Spontaneity Or Stability?

Oh, spontaneity is much more fun! But we need both don’t we? It depends on what time of life you are at. When you don’t have to go to work, care for others in the family and have the time then go for spontaneity. So first create stability and then let go and be spontaneous.

Can a dog/cat suffer? What about an ant? What about a plant? What about a bacteria cell?  Why do some humans think we’re the only species that does suffer?  Your thoughts?

Of course, creatures can suffer and it is a disgrace to be the cause of it. However, getting into whether we should care about harmful insects and bacteria cells suffering would be going a bit far. Self-preservation is important too. Thank the creatures and plants you have to eat and make sure whatever you do is done sustainably. There is a fine balance in nature and we have to take care not to upset it for fear that we might wipe our own species out. For example, if bees cease to exist the planet will die too.

GRATITUDE SECTION

What are two things that have brightened your day today?

My domestic helper cheered me up considerably and left my house a haven of cleanliness. She also brought her new baby who is the cutest little creature.

We have the Earl’s proteges staying with us for a few days. These young men learned to fish with the Earl from the age of ten and now have their own commercial fishing business. After spending weeks fishing in the deep what do you think they do when they take a few days’ break? Go beach fishing of course!

Saturday, 04 June 2022

We went to Transkaroo for dinner and it was awesome.  They had a fire going and the menu was great.  We both chose pork belly on mash with crackling and vegetables.  It was delicious.

We left early the next morning, stopped at 34 Degrees South in Knysna for breakfast, and arrived in Plett at 10:30 am.  Lauren, Shan and Si were of course at school and only due to get home later in the afternoon.  Allan had just completed his work for the week and once settled in he asked if I’d like to join him on a Robberg Walk.   Yes indeed.  So we left Earl who can’t manage that level of hiking to do some shopping and Allan and I did the 5km trail.

It was a perfect day for this hike which takes you along cliffs and beaches with the most magnificent views.    In places, it is very narrow, steep and slippery. The paths are uneven and rocky and you need to be able to cope with steep, uneven steps. Imagine how aghast I was to make way for a young man who was running the route! Allan was very patient with his ancient mother-in-law or perhaps grateful that he had an excuse to rest from time to time! My excuse for stopping frequently was to admire the stunning views. It took us an hour and fifteen minutes to do the trail and afterward, we treated ourselves to excellent coffees from the hut in the car park. If you are reasonably agile and have no mobility challenges this trail is well worth doing. There is also a 10km trail if you have the time and energy.

It was lovely to spend the afternoon with the rest of the family when they arrived home and in the evening we had a braai.

This morning we were up and off by 7:45.    We stopped at Windfarm just before Port Elizabeth for our breakfast break.  This is quite a new venue with a petrol station, restrooms and a few eating places.  We went to Oumeul and had coffee and croissants – mine with ham and avo and Earl’s with bacon and egg.

We always enter Addo at Colchester Gate.  There are signs up saying no caravans but we know from experience that off-road caravans are allowed through and have never ever had a problem until today.  One of the men on duty told us we had to turn around and go via Patterson.  I explained to him that off-roads were and always have been allowed to enter.  He said that this was definitely not the case. I asked him to ask the person on duty in the office.  She agreed with him and said we had to go through the main park gate.

“Please make sure,” I said.  “Show me the rules.” 

She took me to the map outside the office and pointed to where it said, “No caravans allowed.”

“But look here,” I explained, “It says, ‘4×4 caravans and trailers only’.”   She conceded the point but her colleague was still not happy.   He was afraid that they were going to be in trouble for allowing us through. I checked the park map that you receive when entering the gate and even on that it clearly states that off-road caravans are permitted to enter at Colchester Gate. Perhaps it was the first time that these two had been on duty there and were not well-versed in the rules.

We were delighted not to be turned around and enjoyed the drive to camp spotting some lovely animals along the way.

Jim and Maureen were already set up on site C17 and we found one of our favourite sites, C25 vacant, and set up there.  We spent the afternoon in camp and had a lovely braai at our site with our friends in the evening.  The sunset was just stunning.

Here are my answers to this week’s Share Your World from Sparks

What two totally normal things become really weird if you do them back to back? 

Attend a funeral and then leave to attend a Christening?

What is something that you just recently realized that you are embarrassed by, that you didn’t realize embarrassed you?  

Nothing comes to mind. Very little embarrasses me.

If  Australia (including New Zealand and Tasmania – which I KNOW are different countries); the UK, Ireland, Germany, the USA, and Brazil or Italy were represented by one food, which would it be for each?  

Okay – Australia – Prawns on a barbie. UK – Mushie peas? USA – Hot dogs? Hamburgers? Italy – Pasta of course but also Eggplant Parmigiana or anything made with eggplant.

What might happen if Goldilocks and the Three Bears were set in modern times?

Once upon a modern time, a vagrant child name Goldilocks was at a loose end one early morning. She was hungry and tired after a hard night on the street so she went looking for a kind soul who might give her a free meal. She found herself outside a smart house and rang the bell at the security gate. No reply. Frustrated she pushed the gate and found that for whatever reason it was not locked. Cautiously she made her way up the long garden path and then knocked on the door. Once again there was no reply.

This was because it was Mother’s Day and the Bear family had gone to an upmarket coffee shop for breakfast. While the littlest bear was presenting his mom with a wrapped gift and Father Bear was ordering something more exciting than cooked oats, Goldilocks was wondering how she could break into their lovely home.

The window to the dining room was a crack open and being a somewhat skinny child she managed to squeeze in. Well, there was no food set on the table but the dining area was open plan to the kitchen and there was a big shiny fridge just begging to be opened. Goldi found an array of delicious treats, cheese, ham and avocado pear. In the breadbasket, she found some fresh croissants and she quickly made herself a delicious snack. After this, she felt quite sleepy so she went upstairs and found a cosy bed. “I’ll just take a little nap and when I hear the Bears come home I’ll slip out,” she thought. But what the poor child did not realise was that the house had a silent alarm and just as she fell asleep armed response and the Bears whom they had alerted arrived and entered the house.

“Let me go in first,” said the burly guard with a gun. “We might catch the culprit red-handed.” The family followed close behind and exclaimed in horror when they saw the messy kitchen. Goldi had failed to clean up after herself. They then all ran upstairs and it was Baby Bear who found the sweet child cuddled up in his bed. Now he was a kind-hearted little fellow so he decided not to say a word.

The guard checked every other room and the Bears checked to see that nothing was missing. “We must have disturbed the intruder. No harm done!” said Mr. Bear.

The guard left and it was then that their son confessed that there was a kid in his bed. “Please can we keep her?” he begged.

The shocked parents tip-toed into the room, saw the little urchin and instantly fell in love with her. “Yes,” they said. “She is clearly a neglected street child. We will call social services and adopt her!”

And they all lived happily ever after.

Where was the most embarrassing or inappropriate place you’ve passed audible gas?

I can’t remember such an incident but it was probably in the classroom and the kids were too polite to comment!