Had an interesting conversation over lunch today - about the relevance of the traditional approach to education, today.

Why do we teach the way we do? Why do we accept an antiquated approach, when the world is the domain of the technolit? What is the alternative?

Hmm.

Back from the Orange River, which I did with a few young folk from school. What a trip. Hot. Hot. Hot. At least the company was great and the food more than palatable. River Rafters & Bundi got us there and back again - and save for the murder of all the paddling and the suicide of the road trip, I’d do it all again in a heart beat. Roll on 2008!

Two weeks of holiday still await - though the trip to Pretoria feels less like a holiday than living here - which just goes to show that Franschhoek is a far too idyllic a place. The local literary festival is coming up and it'll be interesting to see who gets their poems published as part of the run-up to the event. Today we're off to see our friend Geddan finish the Cape Epic. It doesn’t look as if he and his partner can win the mixed event, but he seems to do better and better each day so a good showing is no doubt on the cards.

As I drove home this afternoon – earlier than usual, which makes a welcome change – I couldn’t help but feel that Franschhoek was gripped in a state of lethargy that anywhere else, would make me feel guilty. But here – in what remains my heaven on earth – it’s apt, appropriate, and right. Franschhoek is a holiday destination. Even for those who live here. Especially for those who live here.

School’s out this Friday – yay. A trip down the Orange River awaits. I haven’t started packing yet, or found my passport, so guess it’s time to stress a bit. If push comes to shove I guess I can get hold of any one of the many fake passport/drivers license/road worthy certificate guys and get them to help out. Crazy the things that are going on in the public sector. I think I liked it more when we complained that nothing was happening.

What sad news in the middle of this holiday atmosphere to hear of Bob Woolmer’s death. My condolences go to his family – especially being so far from him at the time that everything transpired. May you find strength in the memories you have of him. I can’t help but wonder about what happened. I have been speculating with the rest of the world concerning the dubious circumstances that surround this great player, accomplished coach and all round nice guy’s death so soon after his team’s unexpected exit for the 2007 World Cup. Will Hansie Cronje’s name come up in conversations? Will betting and bookies and the Sub Continent be mentioned? Will we be satisfied with “stress induced heart attack” – as suggested by his son? Time will tell. Fare well Bob. May every moment of eternity be filled with glorious cover drives and insanely short boundaries!

So I'm back.

Was laid a little low of late with a pesky back niggle that turned out to be quite serious. The long and the short of it is a sizeable cut along the spine that suggests the op that saw a portion of my disc removed. Sure am glad they read that properly in the pre-op briefing!

With the recovery time practically over, I’m getting into the swing of things with regular exercise and an acute awareness of my posture. Would I have this done again? Will probably need to! But yes. It’s a hellofalot better than prior to going under - so I’d recommend it to any one (who needs it).

Fhk is looking particularly good of late. Clear sunny days, occasional showers, ripening fruit, lush vines - a veritable paradise. Join us this weekend for the champagne festival and the local half marathon.

According to my desktop thermometer it's 15C outside. In my book that's cold. In fact it's about as cold as I can manage. I just can't imagine how folks in Kahyalitsha or other informal settlements are able to stay warm, let alone not freeze in this kind of weather. We're blessed to have a fire place - especially as Eskom continue to battle the winter chills, public opinion and their own mismanagement.
Speaking of the fire place. We’re in our new home on the farm. Wow! The setting is idyllic - more so than before. I’m sure I’ve babbled on about this beautiful town and how at home we feel here - but these sentiments have escalated exponentially now that we are literally in the vineyards. As the wet weather approaches and autumn gives way to winter I’m experiencing a very unusual sight – for someone who grew up in the lowveld and has lived in Jhb or Pta for the last couple of decades – juxtaposed against the green of the grass and fynbos are the reds and browns of the autumn trees and vines. Everywhere I look it’s like an add campaign for the Canadian emigration folks – who make the cold and wet of winter look so inviting when they allow a reddening maple leaf to fall gently onto virgin snow and then distract you while the snow melts, carrying mud into the studio. Point is – before I digress – that winter means brown in my experience, and this mix of colors is brand new. And quite pretty.
The dogs have taken to farm living like proverbial ducks to water – in fact they have joined the ducks in the water on a couple of occasions the last few weeks! It’s quite a sight to see Bongi, tail wagging while the rest of her bar nose and eyes, lie submerged, heading off into the middle of the big farm dam with the ducks quacking quietly, or is it bemused, just meters away. Zanzi has become quite stocky and leapt in the other day without warning while Amber is taking a bit longer to be convinced that swimming is something that dogs do naturally. Her two stick retrieval attempts that involved leaving terra firma were brief and followed by much shaking, grunting and chasing of the other dogs.
Town continues to be quiet – in comparison with summer. But to my surprise it’s a lot busier than I was lead to believe at first. I guess locals become accustomed to the difference between busy and quiet and so the next couple of months will leave the town feeling almost ghost like when compared to the warmer months. Getting good seats at great restaurants is easier, that’s true, but then even the bad seats here are great. Wonder when the tourism guys are going to send that cheque? Speaking of trucks – the recent accidents at the bottom of the pass was tragic. My condolences are due to the families, friends and employers of those involved. As a sign of my support for the initiatives instigated to reduce the number of big trucks passing through town and up the Franschhoek pass expect to see me driving at 30km/h when in town, stopping to allow pedestrians to cross and certainly joining the picket line when it mobilizes. I can’t understand why it takes the sacrifice of life to get those in authority to listen when this issue has been on the cards for more than a decade. I guess it’s like that when issues aren’t close to home. A bit like the cold.

Where’s lunch?

Friday 7 April

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday. 83! She still irons, walks to and from town (total distance 2km), does jigsaw puzzles (must have more than 1000 pieces, the more the better), would mow the lawn – but we have none and flies to and from the UK without assistance. Not bad for someone who can remember ‘The War’ and has seen SA pre, during and post Apartheid. Happy Birthday Mom.

Town is as quiet as the proverbial church mouse today. It started off rainy this morning. The sun has shone through at times and now seems to be blazing. I’m in the shop so cant see the sky (actually if I got up and looked out of the window I’d see the sky – but I’m on holiday so wont bother until after I’ve blogged). If you’re in town pop by – you’re guaranteed of personal, attentive service, unless two of you arrive at the same time.

Heard an interesting comment from a SALGA spokesperson. To quote “SALGA is committed in capacitating local …” I thought – surely that should be ‘committed to’? And who says ‘capacitating’? ‘Incapacitate’ I know. But to say (literally) that you ‘in capacitate’ doesn’t engender much confidence I’m sure. Oh well I guess they’re doing something.

Thought about the price of anti-depressants yesterday (went shopping, which generally depresses me – lots of people, too many things I can’t afford and the feeling that I could be enjoying myself outdoors). It seems to me that it’s a good line of business. If you’re feeling OK take a look at the price of the stuff – depressing. So you buy it to help you feel better. Bang – hamster on a wheel.

BTW – where do folks go now that Truffles is closed?

Testing Blobber for Word.