November 6

What a day. The noise from the roadhouse across the street, which is disguised as a hotel (Blue Lagoon), woke me at closing time, as has happened before. But this time it was some drunk yelling repeatedly. Mind, I am writing this the next morning, at 3:24 am. I am already up with coffee, thanks to the drunks from this night. But they woke me earlier this time, but I tried real hard to get back to sleep.

Then we dashed around madly, making a major record by being out shopping by 8:30! Some things I wanted at the new house immediately. Like 4 new bath sheets, specifically for the pool. I must be expecting company.

The weather was wet over night, but it was clearing before very long. There has been a good bit of rain these past few days. This is most welcome; it makes things green and the birds sing.

Dash! Cycle shop. Dash! Bank. It took 45 minutes to get a banker’s check, mostly waiting in line. Customer satisfaction is a new concept around these parts. Dash! To the new house. Dash! Back to the cycle shop!

I got my scooter and an old helmet. They could find no new helmet in my size, anywhere in South Africa. (Probably XXL BUT maybe bigger). Even then, the old open-face helmet won’t fit in the helmet compartment under my seat!

I had to take my maiden voyage all the way through town and back to genteel Beacon Bay. I was concerned about that, but it proved a fine ride. The scooter cruises fine at 40kph (25mph), and I have to watch the speed as it will get up to 50kph quite easily.

When I got back to the old house, Johan took this photo:

Karl on Scooter

Dash! Pack some stuff, load the car. Dash! New house, landlady briefed us, we unloaded.

Dash! Back to the old house. Idea! Hurry, get back to new house, then the first swim, together!, before Johan has to catch his plane to Lisbon. We made it, just barely.

Karl on Scooter

The water was cool but not too cold to enjoy. At Johan’s request we started with bathing suits, but then I yanked his off and we finished the proper way to swim in one’s own pool, in skin.

The landlady showed up unexpectedly, with more keys. We were out of the pool, but only wearing towels. She gave us a bottle of wine, and bade us well. What with gates and doors, we’ve enough keys for 4 average American houses.

Dash! Johan to the shower. His colleague was to arrive at 4pm to drive to the airport. I was only semi-dressed, just my jeans, when he arrived with his wife. I was a little embarrassed, but folks are casual around here. I even see grown men, barefoot, at the supermarket.

I got the wet stuff hung up and hopped my mini-Honda back to the old place.