01 July, 2017

A lot has happened since we arrived at Scottburgh. For the first few weeks the wind determined much of what we did. When it really blows, and it does quite often for long periods of time, we have to batten down and hang on. Our site seems to be in a natural funnel which directs the wind to us. We will change it for a better one as soon as possible but certainly after the July school holidays when more sites will be available.

On Wednesday 21^st Lynette tramped on what looked like solid ground but turned out to be a shallow hole and twisted her ankle quite badly.

On Friday 23^rd we received the news that Grandpa had passed away quietly. It was just 4 days before his 103^rd birthday. It was a shock but also a relief. When you see people that old, you thank the Lord that we don’t live forever on earth. His last weeks were really difficult for him.

Malcolm & Colleen have been very busy seeing to his needs for a long time, needs that became more and more as he got older. We owe them a great deal of thanks for their love and effort on Dad’s behalf. The same must be said of dear Annette who assisted him so lovingly.

With the need to go to Benoni, we tied the tent down some more and asked a friend here to watch over it while we were away. We left here on Sunday 25^th and headed North. We stopped at Montrose (At Swinburne) for fuel & something to eat. We left and about 12 Km. later the car started to jerk and make very expensive sounds. I pulled off the road and correctly suspected that the attendant had filled our tank with petrol instead of diesel. There we were, sitting at the side of the road on a Sunday with a car that could not go anywhere. Being an automatic it also cannot be towed. It has to be carried on the back of a VERY expensive flatbed truck.

I managed to phone the owner of Montrose who told us to sit tight and she would sort out our problem for us. Within 30 minutes, the manager of Montrose arrived with the fuel station manager. The latter stayed with us while he went on to Harrismith to get a tow truck. Very soon, the tow truck arrived & carried our car to a workshop in Harrismith where a mechanic was waiting to do what was necessary. I kept an eye on him and watched the whole procedure. He drained the full tank of fuel, flushed the lines and the filter and then filled our tank with diesel. He then started it up and it ran sweetly. Praise the Lord. All this was done at no cost to us. Our journey continued with no further incident. What amazing service from people who could have shrugged their shoulders and let me carry all the blame.

Dad’s memorial service was a real celebration of the life of a (not perfect but) Godly man, sure in the knowledge that he had believed in Jesus Christ and served him as best he could. Sure in the knowledge that he would live forever in glory with his Saviour.

We spent the week with Peter & Elaine and family. It is always such a joy to be with them. Yesterday we travelled back to Scottburgh, stopping again at Montrose for lunch. The manager recognised us, greeted us warmly and then took his leave. Later, when we had had a good lunch and asked for the bill, we were told that the manager had taken care of it. Are we blessed, or what??

We arrived at the caravan after a very good trip to find everything in good condition. Fuel consumption was an excellent 16.6 Km/L.

This morning we went for a walk to exercise Lynette’s ankle and look for suitable sites in the caravan park for our move. We sat down at the little tuck-shop in the camp and watched dolphins playing/hunting in the sea. It was a beautiful sight.

Blessings to you all until next time.