First Few Days in Bloemfontein

It’s been a busy (even traumatic) first few days in Bloem.
The removal people pitched up at 06:30 on Monday morning. We got things packed and out of the Rectory by 11 and I left for Bloem. They eventually arrived at my flat at 19:30 and got everything in by about 21:00. Mountains of boxes everywhere But they were good: every box labelled with its contents and which room in the rectory it had come from. I did little that night except break a tooth on a toasted sandwich, but had a massive job for the next few days.
I ended totally exhausted with an aching back, making lists of necessary shopping.
Yesterday, I found a dentist and spent 1 ¼ hours in the chair having all sorts of things done. It took 2 of them about 10 minutes to pull the broken tooth, which broke into several pieces in the process. Getting the last root out took a lot of cutting and digging. Amazingly, I survived the experience and have had no subsequent pain, even though the dentist – a beautiful young blond called Dr Marx – said I would and gave me painkillers. I go to see her again in 10 days for more work.
I also found a new barber – Simone – who did a great job straight after the dentist when I couldn’t talk and was dribbling blood. She seemed to think this was perfectly natural! A new pharmacist completed my searches – and all within walking distance of Woolworths! All I need now is a new doctor.
This morning I did some laundry and tomorrow I have a maid – Agnes – who’s coming to iron it. Hard life?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we accumulate far too much “stuff” – I’d be doing perfectly well with less than half of what I have.
The traumatic part of the experience was leaving Harrismith and all my friends. Martie keeps in touch and Bernard came to see me when he brought Judith to Med Clinic for scans.
My 1st visit to St Margaret’s on Sunday should be interesting.