A Field Trip, A Funeral and an evening of Breyani

May 13/14/15 was our Field trip weekend in the northern Cederberg, about 300 km from Cape Town. Sunny days, lots of rock art, nice walks, some horse riding. (Click on the link to see the photos.)

A year ago we did the same trip over the same weekend, staying at Traveller's Rest Guest Farm. The area is out of cell phone range and last year, just before disappearing into the quiet zone,  I got an sms to tell me an old friend had died that morning, May 14. This year, as we entered cell phone range, the first text message I received was one to say my cousin had died on May 14. I think next year I will avoid the Cederberg on that day in May!

One thing Tim and I have not been able to organise while living in Cape Town is getting away at weekends and it felt really good to be out of the city for the first time. We had another foray into the country on Wed 18 May when we drove to Swellendam to meet my brother and his wife, Thane and Elize, for lunch on a gorgeous, sunny winter day. It happened to be a public holiday that day, for Municipal elections throughout the country so there was little traffic on the road. It's a long drive just for lunch - about two and a half hours each way, made worthwhile by the views first of the Elgin Valley, and then, once we'd crossed Houw Hoek Pass, of the majestic Langeberg mountains all the way to Swellendam. We met at the Old Mill House on the main road and had lunch in the garden.

Neil Garlick's funeral, Tue May 24, was held in the Good Shepherd Church opposite Kirstenbosch's stone cottages on a typical Cape winter day. There was a burst of drumming rainfall during the service - I think the heavens were giving Neil a resounding welcome! After Neil's burial at the Plumstead cemetery we all gathered in his home for tea and eats, an opportunity to catch up with relatives that I don't see too often. Neil planted the roses on his lovely property and his daughter, Margaret, developed The Terrace Coffee Shop at Chart Farm, where you can pick roses and sit down for a peaceful snack while the world hurries by on the M3 freeway.

Wednesday May 25 we enjoyed a night out with the students at the Baxter Theatre where we saw the show Breyani by David Kramer. Tim and I saw the same show in December with Kay McMahon, visiting from our Inverness home. Kay nearly went back the next night she loved it so much.

Breyani is the name of a spicy rice dish that combines a variety of ingredients to produce a mouth watering meal. This show, a "Breyani of Music", highlighted all the fascinating styles and instruments brought to the Cape over the centuries, from slaves, colonists and passing ships.

Neil Garlick 8 Sep 1917-14 May 2011

Neil Garlick was my father's cousin, my first cousin once removed. He was born a month before my dad. Although we lived in the same town, our families didn't socialise much. We had loads of cousins, too many to keep up with. It was only after my dad died in January 2000 that I became interested in the Garlick family history. This led me to Neil who had a wealth of papers and documents and his own notes about his parent's families.

Neil was delighted to share his stories with me. And so began many years of visits to his home on Chart Farm, and many conversations about my great-grandfather, John Garlick, who had come to Cape Town from Boston, England, and founded a retail store that became one of South Africa's famous department stores: Garlick's.

About a month ago Neil took to his bed. Always an active man, over the past few years he was no longer able to get around without a walker and finally, even the walker became too much for him. His mind remained sharp as a razor, never missing a thing, with a memory that put me to shame. In early June 2008, three years ago, I took Neil on a trip to Nelspoort in the Karoo, where his grandfather had established a TB sanatorium. On the way we nearly ran out of petrol on a stretch of very lonely road, due entirely to my foolhardiness. Last week he reminded me of it. I'd forgotten.

I saw him on Wednesday and Thursday last week and told him I'd be away for the weekend but would see him again on Monday. That was not to be. He died peacefully on Saturday evening. I will miss him and the visits to his home, the many conversations and especially his reflections on working in the family business.

At the Nelspoort Sanatorium, 2nd June 2008

Early May News

The 12 day holiday over Easter Weekend, Freedom Day and Workers' Day seemed to bring Cape Town to a standstill so it was a good time to burrow down. We're both over our colds, getting back on the mountain for healthy hikes. We managed two this past weekend - what a change from being bundled up at home, cold and miserable!

Saturday we walked local, to the contour path in Newlands forest up the hill from us. It's a good trudge uphill, and then a marvelous long track that winds its way through indigenous forest with sporadic views out east to False Bay and the Hottentot's Holland mountains. The contour path averages about 300 metres above sea level and runs all the way from the west side of Table mountain, then around Devil's Peak, and finally along the flanks of the eastern side of Table Mountain as far as Constantia Nek - could take a good day to walk the whole trail.

Sunday was mothers' day and we joined my daughter, Nan, for a short 1 hour ascent above St. James/Kalk Bay. We love this loop hike, starting at Ou Kraal. Nan and I got to do a lot of chatting at the top, once we were up the never-ending steps and incline. The sea looked pretty angry; big waves, muddied waters close to the shore, but the sun was out for us and the fynbos was green and healthy. The giant Protea Cynaroides was in flower, looking stunning. Sunbirds flitted from bush to bush, twittering busily. Quite magical.

Protea Cynaroides

This weekend we will be in the northern Cederberg with the students, following the Sevilla Rock Art trail. Bound to be some photos.

Til then ...