The Dockyard
I was employed as a civilian in the Simon's Town naval dockyard on two occasions.
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Memory Project: The Crib That Became A Laundr...
This wickerwork crib was probably bought from the Civilian Blind in Salt River. It was used to transport my baby sister on the train trip from Cape Town to Bulawayo, and later served for many years as the family laundry basket.
On the Beach: Avian Flu
Suspected avian flu outbreak kills hundreds of birds.
Memory Project: Cecil John Rhodes
Rhodes was born in 1853 and died at the age of 48 in 1902. His short life was packed with achievement, much of them being of a dubious ethical nature.
Airborne Arrival and Departure
Forty years ago, Gough 26 was the last team to arrive on the island by crane and the first to leave in a chopper.
Memory Project: Heart of Darkness
I bought this book for 75 cents in 1969.
This Little Piggy Went to Market
Farmers are practical people. In South Africa the expression 'n boer maak 'n plan means that a farmer will always be able to improvise a solution to any problem that he might encounter.
Die oupa sit op die stoep
I was sitting on my stoep thinking about nothing of consequence while enjoying a glass of wine, when this fellow and two young women came into view.
On the Beach: From Far and Wide
Plough snails are exceptionally well adapted to detecting dead creatures the tide has deposited on the beach for them and other scavengers to feed on.
The Ugly Duckling
She gave birth to three girls, one after the other. This displeased her husband, because he felt ashamed to be surrounded by females all the time.
On the Beach: The Human Onslaught Continues
The sun was setting. At the top of the steps leading down to the beach a lookout was on his phone. At the bottom of the steps a man in a wet suite was busy shucking perlemoen.
Little Red Riding Hood
The widow’s Jack Russell died of old age, just as her husband had done a few years earlier. She continued to live in her house alone, preferring to postpone the day when she would be forced to give up her independence.