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By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General Published: Thursday, 09 August 07 - 10:25 AM (GMT) Last Updated: Thursday, 09 August 07 - 06:18 PM (GMT) |
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I think that all the excitement must have taken more out of me than I realised... I fell asleep last night at 21h00 having forgotten about our interclub race earlier in the evening, and woke up with a start at 07h40 - 20 minutes late for my scheduled morning run with our neighbours Lucy on one side and Stacey on the other (as we are on school holiday at the moment, we have made our appontment later in the day!).
I now feel in a better and more energetic position to relay the last couple of weeks events to those who missed them (especially for our neighbours, Preston Harriers, Julia, Judes, Jimmy, cousins Galanis and the Flemings who couldn't make it).
After Roger and my luxuriant experiences in the spas and salons of King Williams Town and East London, we (Rob, Roger and I) set off for Port Elizabeth on Wednesday 25th July to meet up with my bridesmaid and loyal, longstanding friend Jeanne; her talented and handsome husband Gareth and last but not least the well travelled and entertaining Big John (fellow mutineer onboard the ill fated Ice Maiden).
The last time we were all together was over a curry, so we headed for a restaurant on the beachfront called Up the Khyber - a place that could supply us with both Indian food and beer, a winning combination. We quickly fell into animated conversation ending the evening with Gareth convincing our efficient waiter to supply us with Jagermeisters on the house before going back to the Humewood B&B to continue the party.Carol-Ann, a school friend who has loyally kept in contact over the past 17 years, had left a bottle of wine and a card in our room, which we enjoyed thoroughly as we tried to make the evening (which was now morning) last as long as possible. We were able to thank her for this the following morning at breakfast when she popped in, as beautiful as ever, on her way to work. What a happy reunion.
When I arrived at my room (which was HUGE and luxuriant without being pretentious and had direct access to the veranda), Rosanne brought my attention to an attractive ginormous arrangement of flowers. She asked me to guess who they were from, giving me a clue that the senders were in Preston (UK) and were two gentlemen. I made a number of incorrect guesses, but finally arrived at the correct answer when she said they were doing work for us at home... Mark and Dave, our concientious neat and kind loft converters. We couldn't have ever hoped to meet two such wonderful builders.
Everyone was scheduled to arrive at the Amakhala Game Reserve on Thursday morning. Roger and his family (including Jane, Foggy, Carol, Lee and Rob) were to stay at the Safari Lodge whilst my family including Jeanne, Gareth and Big John were to stay at Leeuwenbosh and Shearers Lodge (the chapel is located on this lodge). More happy reunions and a long awaited introduction to my niece, Elizabeth (aka Tutu aka Liz).
Later in the afternoon, we set off on a game drive (Amakhala are home to the big five and stunning scenery) and sundowners before heading for a Boma in the bush for dinner. Here, the guests at all the lodges (Safari, Leeuwenbosch & Shearers, Carnarvon Dale, Reed Valley and Woodbury) came together to reaquaint. We were entertained by the Leeuwenbosch choir who danced and sang beautifully for us, bringing Roger's bestman, Rob, close to joyful tears. It was a very special performance.
Afer a stunning feast next to a huge open fire, everyone retired to the vehicles for the journeys home to the lodges - cramming as many bodies as close together as possible to combine body heat. It was one of thsoe moments where the discomfort of the cold added to the commaraderie and excitement of the evening. A very happy and warm memory despite the temperature.Arriving home, the Leeuwenbosch lot headed for the pub... a wonderful end to a perfect day.
On Friday, after breakfast, we set off for our scehduled River Cruise, meeting up with Hans, Pat, Ricki and Ros from the other lodges. While it was a little too cold for the animals, everyone chatted and caught up, renewing old bonds, so that when it came to an end, despite not having seen much, some of us requested that we set off for another round, just to continue the fellowship.
Back on our Landrover, we managed to convince our ranger Andries to take us to find the baby elephant that had just been born. Eager to please and putting us first despite his strict instructions to have us back at the lodge by 12h00 for coffee and lunch, we set off into the bush and were rewarded with a magnificent sighting of the family of elephants. Andries is a talented ranger (as all of our rangers were) who never approached animals too closely, allowing them to be at ease and allowing us to watch them interact and continue business as usual without scaring them off.
Back at the lodge, we lunched. All this time, my gifted cousin Clare Byrnes, worked hard at preparing the flowers for Saturday. She worked relentlessly, forsaking game drives and pleasure to ensure that everything was perfect, which it was. I really enjoyed just sitting, watching her work and chatting - it had been a very long time since we spent time together, the last time being (other than our brief day visit to Cape St Francis) was when Nikki her sister married Marcos Galanis over 20 years ago when she was bridesmaid and I was flowergirl. Geordi, Clare and Rus' daughter was my flowergirl.
In the afternoon, we set off for what was to be my final game drive before the wedding. Andries found us the pride of lions which had two gorgeous cubs. Again, keeping distance between us to make sure the lions felt comfortable, we were able to see them emerge from their hiding, play with one another, "go to the loo" and feed off a recent kill. This was followed by a magnificent and educational sighting of a family of giraffe displaying what initially appeared to be homosexual behaviour but later explained by Andries as a terratorial battle. We ended off the drive with sundowners.
All too soon Friday was over and Saturday dawned. Not having been for a run for a few days, I woke up a little earlier and set off for a 45 minute jog, during which I stopped to watch the dassies sunning themselves on some roadside rocks under the watchful and hungry eye of a rock kestrel. After breakfast and a shower, we started to prepare for the day's event. Jeanne proceeded to blow up every socket she could lay her hands on in an attempt to steam my dress and managed to lure the tall and dark Roche into our dressing room under the auspices of fixing the plug.
Then came the make up and hair. Brenda and Amelia were so patient and gentle, looking after everyone with careful attention. Pat, Roger's mum, joined us to have her hair and make up done - this was a treat to see and she looked really lovely. Whilst Aunty Ann, Jeanne, my mom, Ann, Marielle, Clare and Geordi either wandered about in curlers or arranged flowers, the boys sat and chatted - my boets, Gareth and John went over to Safari lodge for a beer, to keep Roger company and to keep out of the way.
Friends began arriving at 14h00 for fresh lemonade and sweet Thai chicken, smoked beef & pickle and salmon & cream cheese canapes and were treated to a ebullient performance by my old school's, Kingsridge High School for Girls, steel band. They have done exceedinlgy well, led by family friend Sandy who also played the organ in the chapel, winning numerous gold medals and accolades at various Eistedfords. Thanks for the music girls.
Just before 15h00, Heidi, who produced the whole successful event with apparent ease and pleasure, rang the chapel bell for Reecha (Roger's cousin) and JJ to usher friends and family to their seats before leading Jeanne, Geordi, my dad and I to the Chapel. I did not feel at all nervous (despite vowing never to get married for fear of being looked at by so many people), and instead felt jubilant. Geordi kept the pace for us, reminding us as we walked down the aisle to take "LONG STEPS" while I tried to catch as many eyes in the congregation as possible to smile "hello" to.
At the front, Mickey and Anaida proceeded with the ceremony. Ceremony is the wrong word all together. Ceremony has the connotation of being very formal, slightly intimidating and not at all joyous. Ours was a gladsome, relaxed and sincere celebration. Ann, my sister (in-law) and Jean (Roger's sister) both read our chosen scripts beautifully. Both have great meaning for Roger and I and give a true essence of our lives and relationship.
Roger and I, feeling elated, walked back down the aisle together, stopping just inside of the entrance to greet our friends and family. The Leeuwenbosch Choir singing "Mama Tembas Wedding" provided the recessional music and led everyone outside to form an aisle into which Roger and I emerged after greeting everyone, into a shower of rose petals and to the sound of drums and African song - the best sound for an Eastern Cape girl.
Whilst we were having photos, the choir kept dancing and singing continually whilst family and friends enjoyed the musci dance and drinks, until joined by Roger and me.
Gradually everyone moved into the marquee which was decorated with fairy lights and complete with chandelier. On the tables were arrangements of proteas, done by Clare. Murray, my big brother did the MC duties in an entertaining and confident manner, welcoming everyone and giving the order of events before the starter was served, an Exotic Tower of Kudu Carpaccio Marinated in Wild Berrie infused Balsamic Vinegar on an African Spiced Polento Cake & a Parmesan Wafer with Goats Milk Cheese, Sundried Tomato & Bazil Jam with Caramelized Onions Garnished with African Garden herbs & Baby Beetroot on a Porcupine Quill.
This was followed by an eloquent speech made by my De and answered by an entertaining speech by Roger. My De and Roger made me so proud - what a privilege to have such fine, handsome and intelligent gentleman (including my boets and cousins) in a family.
Then came the delcious main course, Roast Karoo Lamb slow cooked in Cape Cabernet on crushed Potatoes with Black Pepper & Rosemary (Finished with a Cabernet Reduction) Bundles of Butter Baked Batons of Turnip, Sweet Potato. Butternut. Pumpkin. Leek & Carrot (Falling out of little greaseproof packets on the plate) finished with Spngs of Fresh Thyme. Fat Cat's Catering did a mangnificent job indeed.
Rob then made a lengthly best man's speech, time lining his and Roger's aquaintance, after which I insisted on having a final word, toasting absent friends and family who could not make it and were missed - impromptly shortening what should have been a 3 minute chat in order to spare everyone itching to dance and get stuck into the delicious dessert platters served to each table.
As many know, I love dancing - starting off with waltzing from an early age perched on my dad's feet to my matric dance, jiving and two stepping the night away, so I was really looking forward to Roger and my dance. Despite me making a mess of it (I dropped my grip of the dress by mistake and kept stepping on the hem and tripping up), Roger and I enjoyed every step. Unfortunately, Fernando the DJ cut us short by welcoming everyone onto the dance floor before we finished with our little flurry, but all was well.
After this, the cake was cut, and I changed into a better dance rokkie. Fernando didn't use much of the playlist we supplied and instead catered for the older tastes of music.
My little brother is a dance machine - and after he flung me around in the jive, my dad and I enjoyed a waltz to Foster and Allen's "When you're in love it's the loveliest night" - the song which he and my mom opened their wedding dance floor to exactly 44 years and 51 weeks before to the day.
As Murray had announced earlier in the evening, when guests staying at Safari Lodge wanted to return home, they just had to ask Heidi and she would arrange for them to be chaffeured en masse or individually back hoome. Nobody had to even think or plan - only enjoy the evening, which everyone did. Near the end of the evenibng, Geoff, Roger's dad, arranged that the Safari Lodge group go home together at 24h00ish. Roger and I thought this was way to early for the party to end, so along with Pierre & Marielle (who win the prize for the most energy), Big John, Jeanne, Gareth, Rob, my mom & de, Phyll & Gray, Bill, Roche, JJ, Murray, Fernando and Jim we returned to the Leeuwenbosch pub, where we made merry music and danced the night away till a very patient, gentle and tired Roche (who had the garter as his prize) drove Roger, Rob and me to bed at 04h30.
Umtu ngumtu ngabantu, a person is a person because of another person, is a theme common to African communities and is sorely lacking in the western world. It is because of the people that I had around me whilst growing up that I am the person who I am today (both the good and the bad), and I would like to thank them for their continued contribution to my and Roger's lives that enriches us from day to day.
Now, I think I have made up for my shortened speech at the wedding by remincing the event at length in script... I shall have to have another lie in tomorrow to build up energy for "The Honeymoon" and our Preston Harriers 5 day cycling event led by Simmy through the Lancashire and Yorkshire countryside.
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