Abba Mania

Friday morning and I would have the usual. 2 cups of Intant coffee. We wanted to do some grocery shopping, but not too much as we are going to PE tomorrow afternoon. Instead of the trip to the VIllage we put some more kilometers on Dusty and went to Jeffreys Bay Mall just to walk around a bit and get a small bag of groceries. Mom wanted to draw money. 

When we arrived at the shopping centre there was a trolley parade going on. Today is the Trolley Race. Companies sponsor a team of runners and the organisers lay out a track in the shopping centre parking lot. The teams run relay with the shopping trolley (cart) which is decorated in cardboard with the company logo or a creative design. We arrived just as the teams were parading their trolleys and making a bit of a racket. It was a bit loud for us old folks so we took to the realtive quietness of the mall.

Walking the Mall. It is a sport in the USA and people can do kilometers inside in airconditioned conditions. Here the mall is a realtively small one, but we also want Mom to walk more. Yesterday we sent her down the road to the beach and back. Today we got her going a bit without her noticing. We sat and had a light lunch at the coffee shop there before going to the supermarket. Mom bought 1 item and then asked for cash back. They are quite easy on that here. They just add that amount to the transaction and pay you out the cash that you request. Easier and more safe than standing outside at the ATM. Clever.

We drove back to CSF and all had a bit of an afternooner. Friday afternoon and my last Time Trial here in St Francis. I left for Granny's Pool  with my 6 pack of beer. It was my turn to treat the few to a beer after the race. Frank & I again teamed up in the double and Jaco and a new guy were also there. Frank & I shot off from the gun and paddled the 2.5 km into the oncoming swell and light wind. After the turning bouy we caught quite a few little runs, each pushing us closer to the finish line. I was not trying to catch a wave, but had my eyes set on the dip infront of us and before we knew it we were onto a wave and could sit and enjoy the last 100meters or so to the finish. Done and dusted!

It is bitter sweet to say goodbye. Probably we will be back next year, but we are slowly getting into the scene here and meeting new people here and there. A beer does help to ease the heartache. Home to Ingrid and Mom and our dinner. Potoatoes, Wors, Mushrooms and Brussel sprouts for dinner a second beer helped to ease the thirst a little. Ingrid and Mom watched TV and I am not sure what I did, but Frank and I had worked hard on the time trial and I suppose it was early to bed for me.

Saturday we had told Mom that we would drive with her in convoy back to PE. She was going to go back to her home and fetch more clothes as she was planning to come back to CSF on Monday and perhaps stay a few days/weeks. She loves it here. Soon she was packing her car and then she said goodbye and off she went. Ingrid and I were not yet packed, so we waved her goodbye and went back inside to do a bit of a tidy up and pack ourselves. I did manage to sneak in a little afternooner (because I had to drive). 

Around 15h00 we left for brother's house to drop our things and get ready for our evening out. At brother's we have the code for the entrance gate for Dusty, but had no house keys. I tried the front door but it was locked. Ingrid and I sat at the front door on the bench with not much else to do than wait for brother and doggy to get back from their walk. We waited for about 15 minutes before the bus hooted at us from the gate. Brother and niece and doggy were back from their walk and niece pushed the front door open. ??? it was not locked. I guess there is a child lock on the door. LOL.

We dropped our things and got dressed and I had a beer to get the party started. We were going to an Abba tribute show down in the valley in PE. The show started at 19h30, but Nicki advised us to be early for parking and getting a seat. We were the first at the table of 11. The Hurr family and friends arrived and soon our table was complete. We ordered dinner and I had that last beer to oil the joints and throat. 

I have to say what I think, and I thought after the 1st 2 songs that this was going to be a very long evening. It seemed as if the voices of the artists were not yet warm and a few notes got missed. It took me a bit by surprise that these 2 songs got a raving applause from the audience. I thought, did they all miss those false notes, but then I thought, Hey. Perhaps my brain was a little off key?

Who can say, but I think that the voices warmed up or the beer dulled my senses, but from then on, Take it away People! We were entertained by the artists and it was a joy to be there with 'our people'. I say, Our People, but they do feel a bit like family and friends. We were swaying and clapping in our seats and singing along in our own way. After the break people took to the floor and somewhere along the line (good choice of word)  "the train" snaked around the room. In Holland we call it the Polonaise. Balloons were added to the floor and even old people become children! What a hoot!

What a show and by the end I had pieced together that the show had been put together by the artists and it was no formal Abba tribute choreographed troop. Well done people and thank you Michelle (Owner of the restaurant) and her merry group of servers who also took to the festive theme and made the evening for all most enjoyable! PS I am sure that I know her from somewhere. And a big thank you once again to Nicki, her family and friends!

Once again it was bitter sweet. Saying goodbye to good people, but we are going to try and come back next year I hope.