As I made myself at home here, I was delighted to realize that houses have personalities and quirks, just as we do. A latch that needs to be opened a certain way, with the worn wooden side facing inwards, a gate with a sliding mechanism -tiny details make the place unique.  The same applies to a town, no doubt.  I continued my process of befriending my temporary home town quite early this morning.

It was a magical morning, strewn with friendly greetings from strangers and precious small gifts…a wild, prolific bouquet of longed for sweet peas on the sidewalk.  A glimpse of a plate – a country scene of a farm complete with cockerel and tractor. A blast from the past – the very same crockery I bought when farming in Tulbagh almost twenty years ago. The picture was faded, almost invisible, but it was the same one for sure.

Strange!  I just happened to see a brand new Massey Ferguson tractor on my way to the “Lazy Lizard” for breakfast. I smiled as I felt my pulse race for a second. How many women have this reaction to a red tractor, I wonder? I suppose maybe many more than I might imagine.

I thought too of letting go (at long last) of my farming boots.  In my mind’s eye, I saw Penny sitting in “Nina’s” kitchen, at Bodhi Khaya, showing them off.  She put lovely colourful shoelaces in them (just as I had).  I was glad I had passed them on when I saw how proudly she displayed them.

There are many other reminders of farming and also of days gone by. The town is steeped in its heritage with lovely reminders of its history displayed on the pretty rubbish bins I mentioned in my previous post. I was delighted to see that John McKenna is the driving force behind this quirky 2012 Commemorative Bin project.

This bin is just outside the Post Office. Taken with my phone camera.

I am renting a cottage from John’s wife, Sonja, during my stay here. They have made me feel so welcome with all sorts of little touches like homemade rusks left out by the kettle, milk in the fridge, wood laid out in the fireplaces and the best of all: an empty milk bottle with cap decorated with fun and funky cows so that that I can go and get fresh milk from Gay’s dairy when the long life stuff is done. Can’t wait!

Another gift was the notice at the Tourist Info Office stating that next week’s movie club choice is “Salmon Fishing in Yemin”. A film I have wanted to see for ages! So I have a date with myself for next Wednesday.

The name of the local community paper is “Prince Albert Friend”.   This brought back fond memories of “Haven’s Voice” and how I loved producing it. Also the knowing that I now LOVE writing this blog for my friends and family, as I gift myself with the time to befriend those parts of me I have neglected lately.