Holiday at Kleinemond - made up stories - first trip to England
Wednesday 13th January 2010
Dear Jeremy,
Our long leave, or furlough, as it was called, must have begun on the 1st March, 1958. In the front of a small photograph album with a picture of the Edinburgh Castle on the cover is a photo of an old wooden door in an old stone wall with the caption reading:
"Saturday 1st March 1958." The door opened.
We spent the first part of our holiday with Granny and Grandpa Sadler at Aldersgate in Bathurst. They rented a cottage at Kleinemond down by the sea. It was a very happy time and they were able to enjoy Christopher, Jill and Celia. Celia was christened by Grandpa and was small enough to fit into the handmade lawn and lace robe which had been made for Joyce. Great-Grandma Sadler's wedding shawl also graced the occasion. These garments were never used again and are in Jill's keeping.
Granny and Grandpa knew many of the farmers in the area and we were sometimes invited to the farms and friends came to visit us. We loved the Kleinemond which was a blind river which sometimes opened out into the sea. We spent happy hours swimming in it which Christopher and Jill greatly enjoyed. Christopher also sailed his model boat which Pop had rigged with sails for him. Your father, of course, always had to swim to the other side of the river while I watched anxiously from the bank. Is this a man thing?
I think this was when Michael started making up his own stories to tell the children at bedtime which they both preferred to him reading from their books. He would get carried away with the story and never knew when to stop and I recall having sometimes to go into the bedroom and read the "Riot Act"
We were due to sail to England from East London harbour so Pop came through to fetch us in his precious Oldsmobile which was still going strong. At that time the coastal road was being built and though it was not officially open to traffic it was being used. It had been raining hard so the roads over the newly constructed bridges were muddy and I remember the crossing was quite slippery so it was a great relief to get to the other side as I clutched the children close to me. Of course Pop was a good driver and had learnt to drive on such roads.
I do not recall how long we stayed in East London. Pop had moved from the Pumping Station to Wilsonia to the property he and my Mother had bought for their retirement. It had two houses and Bazil , Dawn, Jennifer and Jonathan were living in the other one.
I do not I recall boarding the ship, the Edinburgh Castle of the Union Castle Line a Royal Mail Steamer of 28, 705 tons but remember the excitement as we were pulled by the tugs away from the wharf and we waved goodbye and the ship blew its farewell. I have vivid memories of sailing along the coast that evening identifying the places on shore which I had known so well as a child. There was Kidds Beach, the Fish River lighthouse and then there was a light shining at Kleinemond and we were quite sure it was Grandpa flashing the lamp which he had promised to do. As I stood on the deck gazing out as the lights of Port Alfred appeared I couldn't believe this was really happening to me. Was it really me going to England It was so exciting and so thrilling beyond my wildest dreams.
Jill and Chris found the ship a fascinating place, there was a children's play room and a swimming pool where Chris learnt to swim.
Our friend, Robbie, met us at Mossel Bay where the ship anchored offshore and the passengers were brought alongside in a tug and were lifted aboard in a basket. I think this was a shock to Robbie. We watched him go down when it was time for the tug to go back and he did not look very happy.
As we approached Cape Town the wonderful sight of Table Mountain from the sea was so beautiful. My Mother's cousin, Maud Henshilwood and her chauffeur met us and took us for a scenic drive round the mountain and to lunch at their holiday cottage down at Cape Point. I was disappointed than Jean did not come to meet us too. She was now married to a doctor. I cant remember why she did not come. We had corresponded when we were school girls. I remember being impressed that the Henshilwoods had a landrover which they drove along the sands. It had a winch attached to pull them out of trouble if they got stuck. They would bury an old tyre, attach the winch and start the engine. Christopher still remembers this.
Finally came the day for our final departure. The glorious sight of Table Mountain remains an unforgettable memory as we sailed away from land and out into the wide ocean.
The days passed happily and there was the excitement of crossing the line. Jill, as Annie Oakley won a prize at the children's fancy dress party. Christopher was very innovative and went as The Universe with stars, planets and comets sewn on to my black shirt and worn from his shoulders.
And so another adventure began for the Sadler family.
Love you, Mum