Nothing much happened in the first part of April. Agnes is still missing, which means I spend a lot of time doing housework, washing & ironing. Shopping is almost a welcome break. With the onset of Winter, I wonder if I’m living in the right part of the world. Durban would be warmer. I bought a convection/panel heater at Game’s sale. Then had an entertaining time trying to drill holes in my wall to fix it – it won’t stand on the floor. The work wouldn’t win any prizes, but serves the purpose. I miss the anthracite burning stoves I had in Ficksburg and Harrismith.
Went to Harrismith on the 16th April for Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter because they have no priest since I was retired and de-licensed by the bishop. Stayed on the Leslie’s farm for Holy Week. Travelling up and down the N3 every day at holiday time is a work of art. I was looked after wonderfully well by Joan & David and their 3 dogs and 33 cats.
The church services were only a pleasure – can hardly be described as work. Mass at Eliza Liddell Home on Maundy Thursday was full house and St John’s was better attended than I remember at all services. Two baptisms at the Easter Day Ceremonies made it very special. The service was followed by blessing the new Wall of Remembrance for the interment of ashes. The wall is a work of art.
An old friend, Judith Blowers, died on Maundy Thursday. I stayed on after Easter with Bernard & his family from Australia and Dubai to take the funeral on Wednesday. Such very nice people. A power failure in the middle of my sermon momentarily put me off my stride, but all went well. It was worse for the ladies doing the catering for the Wake – coffee wasn’t as hot as it might have been, but the booze wasn’t affected. A number of people from the townships attended, which was a tribute to the work Judith & Bernard had done for them.
The extra couple of days made time to visit friends in the townships who were all most welcoming. It’s a very affirming experience to be so well-remembered.
An old friend, Isabel, turns 80 this week and I shall be going to Ficksburg to celebrate with her on Thursday. This weekend I think I’m supposed to be in Kimberley for something or other with Sister Camilla at St Augustine’s. Must check on this. Sr Camilla was at Masite when I was there last & she invited me, but the details have become vague.
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