Friday 3rd March 2023
I woke up to a very different view in Val. Mist had settled in and the feel of the place reminded me of Scotland. Suddenly I was aware of the impending Autumn. The free range geese were patrolling the pavement, while I waited for Rita and her dogs to go for our walk. We walked a longer loop today and got to know each other a bit better. I'm fascinated by the fact that she lives so remotely yet seems so comfortable dealing with customers who come and go. I told her that I couldn't live so remotely. I like being near modern life, shops, hospitals and airports, haha.
I left early as I wanted to stop at another village called Greylingstad as it had some Scottish Regiment history. The road deteriorated as I turned off the regional road and it seems as if the little town had just stuck in time. Unlike Val, the buildings looked very run down and the people stared at my car in amusement. I drove up to the lovely church I'd seen from the main road, but couldn't see any open gate so took photos while listening to the neighbour's sheep bleating on about my presence on the dirt road. I drove slowly through the once tarred bits of road and took some photos when I could.
Joining the main road again, I was greeted by the sunflowers and many more trucks heading towards Johannesburg. There were some unusual birds flying about and I noticed many weaver-style nests draped on the barbed wire fences. Swallows flew and dipped under bridges and I spotted some Long tailed Whydahs. The veld seemed to have yellowed overnight although the temperatures hadn't really dropped.
I passed Heidelberg and joined the National road and smiled at how slow time seemed to have passed this week. I like knowing the geography of a town, now explored, particularly this drive-by town that I'd always just associated it as being an army town. As I joined the 4 lanes on the circle motorway round the city, I laughed recalling that I'd already sworn 5 times and thrown a sign at the big bully- bukkies driving up my bum, haha.
A couple of hours back, it feels like I haven't been away and then I see my photos and smile to myself about having stepped back in time.
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