Dear Friends & Family,
I turned 67 last month and I got my pensions after a lot of form-filling. So I’m very much a pensioner. But I continued to work for 2010 and saved the pay. So I was able to buy a car for my retirement which takes effect in January. (It’s a Chev Aveo hatchback). Being a pensioner gets me a 5% discount at the local supermarket (Spar) once a week. No such thing as bus passes or any other benefits. (No busses at all in most places, so a car is a necessity).
We had a severe Winter – very cold with not much snow. The Summer is funny: hot one minute and perishing cold the next. Not enough rain so far. I was in Durban a few months ago for a short holiday and it was beautiful. I stayed in a retirement hotel (Park View), just off the beach and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I was in Zululand, I used to stay there when it was an ordinary hotel. I could buy or rent a suite. But I’ve also been offered a flat in Bloemfontein together with a part-time job. And this is what I’m doing. At least until the middle of Winter when I may change my mind & go to Durban.
I’m renting a 1st floor 2 bedroomed flat, just outside the forest on Naval Hill – a great place for walks. (Plenty of room for visitors). A couple of little shops near by, but a car drive to supermarkets. St Margaret’s church is just down the road and that’s where I shall be based. Arranging the furniture removal is proving a slight problem (no removal firms in Harrismith) but I hope to get away by the middle of January.
We had our Parish Family Feast Day last Sunday, with the Bishop present. A good time was had by all. This included a farewell to me and my assistant, Edwina de Wet, who is also retiring and leaving for Cape Town. So, St John’s will have no priest at all for the foreseeable future. (Anybody interested?) Carols by candlelight next Sunday.
I may go over to England next year for a few weeks after Easter. It would be good to see everybody again. I’ve now got family there who I’ve never seen and my generation is getting older and fewer.
My diabetes is still under control. But now have a heart condition as well. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - which is nowhere near as bad as it sounds. I was put on rat poison to lessen the risk of a stroke. This alternates with ‘ventricular extras’ for which I’m taking a beta blocker. I wouldn’t have known about these things if I hadn’t been going to the diabetic clinic where they found them – not unusual for diabetics I understand. I feel perfectly well most of the time.
From mid January, my address will be 16, Prosper Court, Brompton Road, Navalsig, Bloemfontein, 9301, SA. Postal address: Box 411, Bloemfontein, 9300, SA. E Mail and cellphone as above, but no landline.
Love & Blessings to everyone,
wishing you a very holy Christmass and a peaceful Year in 2011.
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