Day 57 – Genuine Fake Ferrari

We have spent most of our day today on the main beach in ‘Toti. Under any other circumstances this would not be top of my list to do on a Saturday afternoon but since it was the kid’s party to say goodbye to their mates I had little choice.

For the few hours that we were there I was able to reflect on just what it is that makes this a special place. It’s easy to take what stares you in the face for granted, it’s easy to become complacent with your surrounding and a day like today does, I admit, sharpen the image again. To sit on that beach on a perfect weather day is a treat. Several hundred meters wide and completely under utilized in the Durban winter. A small game of beach volleyball happening over there, the ice cream guy ringing his bell, the odd announcement from the lifeguards. Some lifeguard training in progress just a little down the sand. Gentle waves – today at least – and the noise of kids playing in the surf.

And of course the obligatory wicker basket, hat and genuine fake sunglasses sales people hassling you from the minute of your arrival. For the very first time ever I actually bought a pair of the genuine fake Ferrari sunglasses. They look good, will probably last a week or so. So what.  And now even my new turned over a new leaf very patient self was getting a little irritable with their persistence. I mean how many times should I tell someone that I don’t want a wicker basket? To add to the humour of using this pristine piece of nature, the car guard – a species that are anyway quite low on my list of favourite people – offers me the opportunity to buy drugs from him. If you are a parent you will know what it entails to take the kids to the beach. The only thing that doesn’t go it seems is perhaps the bathroom sink. And after a few hours in the sun, carting all this stuff back to the car, along with herd me if you can kids can be somewhat tiresome. So offering to sell me drugs at this stage of our day out is not clever. Perhaps there is a need for a marketing and advertising course for drug dealers and peddlers. Perhaps “Selling Drugs for Dummies”? Anyway, I didn’t get into the detail but very politely told him to fuck off. I was very polite. Honest.

My eleven year old who thinks she is eighteen had a great day, posing and pouting with her mates.  Watching her closely today I am worried for my health, especially for my heart into the future. And the health of her future but yet still unknown boyfriends. They will need to walk tall to impress her I think.

My six year old. Well he doesn’t give a shit really. As long as he can build sand castles, eat the odd hotdog now and again and kick a ball round he is satisfied. Obviously he hasn’t yet done much thinking about girls yet but that will come in due course. He likes the ladies, especially blondes. I encourage that. It would be a catastrophe otherwise.

The clock is ticking, we are in the final stages. New adventures are beckoning, new people are waiting to be met. It is today less than two weeks. More on this later.

Until tomorrow.