ENA GIDDY 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY AUGUST 2006.

AUGUST 2006

The Month of August 2006 started off with a bit of a disaster as heavy rains caused flooding in the city. For ourselves we lost the tree in front of the house. This tree had been a haven for bird life, including a pair of nesting Knysna Loeires. It had also provided us with privacy in our front lounge.

The winds and rain caused the tree to fall across the whole of Eaton road and Barbara & I had to saw the top branches off to allow cars to pass by the house. I took the day off from work and phoned into the office and advised the rest of the staff to do the same. The following day schools were cancelled as the citizens of PE tried to deal with the extent of the flooding. Barbara, Ally & I took a drive down to the Zwartkops River. It was flowing fast and we saw how the river had overflowed onto the road. The bottom of Brickmakers Kloof had been washed away as had the section of Kragga Kamma road callled Linga Longa.

This was to be an interesting month. We had planned a Dinner for Ena’s 90th Birthday in Johannesburg. Ian and Jenny would be there for a Lecturing assignment. Ian & Alice drove Ena from Plettenberg Bay to Franschoek, Clanwilliam, Pata Nostra and up the West Coast to see the Namaqualand Dasies which by all accounts were the best in years. They spent a good week or more touring and having a great time. Ian Spence was battling with his hips but seemed to manage okay despite that. They stopped off at Augrabies to see the Falls. Due to heavy rains the falls were at their best. There was a new addition to the sightseeing in that there is now a boardwalk that the viewers have to obtain the best vantage points. They then went to Uppington and finally to Johannesburg.

Ian had some work to do in Jhb and Barbara & I had booked a flight ages ago. Patrick met up with a friend of his in Jhb. On the Saturday morning I was able to do a 15kay run with Tim in the morning. Then Ally had a Hockey Derby at the Erica school. Nicci, Jacqui and Cathy had gone to Erica Primary school when they were at that age. Ally’s team did very well. They seemed to be finally achieving some rythym in their play and it is now almost the end of the season.

They have another match at the Westering primary school on Tuesday 22 August. There is a great deal of support from parents and teachers for these games. Ally’s team consisted of Megan Derry, Lara Swanepoel, Nicci, Emma (who had also payed in the B team earlier), ANO and Ally. They won the game something like 4 / nil. After the game, Barbara dropped me at work and she & Ally went off shopping.

I had a fairly busy morning but was able to write a short speech as Ian had suggested that he, Patrick & I should say something at the dinner. I have added a transcript at the bottom. Barbara & I left the car at the airport and were fortunate to be checked in by Simone Hauft – an ex friend of Jacqui from her school days. She made sure that we had good seats on the plane and also booked our return seats for the next days return flight. On this trip I learned how to play Sidoku. It was my first attempt. Barabra & Ally love the game. We cleaned up a few games in the 90 minutes we were in the air. I had a book to read but the Sidoku is quite addictive and I never even started my book.

When we arrived in Jhb, Keith was waiting for us. Suzanne had gone off to Holland for her annual visit to the family. It was Edmund’s turn to accompany her. Julia was on the Natal coast and Nills had just returned from a trip to Bolita bay with a friend of his. We collected Nills and then Keith showed us the route that we would take to the Linger Longer restaurant that evening. A little later we sat in the cool transvaal Gauteng evening chatting in Keith’s garden. They have a special interset in Trees. Keith had been for a 17 kay walk in a game park that morning. He is training for a climb in the Andes next year. Barbara had a lie down before going to dinner. I can fall fast asleep very easily but Barbara sat and played more Sidoku. The drive to Linger Longer was made easy by the fact that we had been there earlier with Keith. But just as we were approaching the restaurant, crossing Rivonia Road, a maniac in a sports car came screaming past us. I chose to drive at a slow speed due to the fact that we were in Keiths car and we were in unfamiliar territory.

We met up with all the family. Nicci Spence, Ian and Jenny had gone to a great deal of trouble to make the table special. Balloons, petals and shiny stuff on the table, small flower bowls all made for a stunning table setting. Ian & Jenny had their laptop computers there. They were switched on and playing a series of photographs. They had also made up a collage of photo’s that they displayed on the wall. We had the use of a semi private room for our celebrations.

At the table were: Ena, Barbara & I, Ian & Jenny, Ian Spence & Alice, Patrick, Nicci Holliday, and Ena’s friends; Jennifer, Natalie & Betty. 12 in all. Ian ordered wine, we were offered bottled water and then introduced to a long list of starters. Barbara & I declined the starters. The prices were horrific. Others had some interesting stuff like a Firecracker, Scallops, Avocado soup etc.

The main course came quite some time later. Barabra ordered a rack of lamb. It was excellent. I had the Kingklip. It was a minature helping and really not cooked that well. I saw that others had ordered Langoustines, and other fancy dishes. Fortunately for me; Betty was sitting next to me. She had ordered the Salmon and exclaimed how they had dished her enough for an army. Mmmm! though I. I was in the army once and I determined that any leftovers would be mine. Sure enough, she hardly had any and I was able to have good dinner due to Betty leaving more than half of her dinner.

At these family dinners of Giddy’s and Spences it is quite common to share your plate of food with all and sundry around you. Barbara was offered Scallops from Jennifer. I saw Langoustines being passed around. I wondered why order 6 if you only eat 4. But nothing went to waste as the sharing of dinner ensures that the small helpings that a fancy restaurant like this serves, enables the less hungry to pass on their leftovers to gluttons like myself.

Ian made a speech. He remined us of how we had moved into our caravan at Brookes hill overlooking the Humewood beach. And how Ena had managed to feed three ravenous boys plus all their mates with pancakes and an array of other specialities. Patrick was next to talk. He had prepared a speech but he speaks so well that he was able to relate a number of very funny stories of Ena’s past such as the Mayonaise that she made. While most of the modern moms whould never dream of making Mayo at home, Ena painstakingly adds drop by drop of oil to ensure the perfect texture. He did not mention it that evening, but Ena also makes her own Ice Cream as well as Marmalade.

My own speech was also quite well received. After the speeches we had dessert. Fortunately I had not brought my reading glasses. I had borrowed Alices’ to read my poem. And so could not see the prices of the dessert but was horrified later as we stole a menu and I saw that we had paid the earth for only a small helping of pudding. I had a pair of Crepes and Barbara had a Crème Brulet. The time went so fast that I was amazed to see that it was already 23.00. Anyone who knows me knows that I can hardly stay awake past 20.00 so this was very late for me. We had had a fantastic evening and looked forward to climbing into bed back at Keith’s house. Fortunately I had very little to drink and was confident to drive home. As we made our way along the William Nicole drive, a second madman came rushing past us at a traffic light. Crazy these Joburg drivers!

The next morning, Barbara was not feeling her best. She made us some coffee and I went through to see if Keith was awake. We decided to go for a early morning run and made our way up and down the Bryanston hills for the next 100 minutes. It was good to be able to spend some time chatting and catching up on his news. Keith told me about his morning run the previous day. He goes to a game park where he puts on a back pack and spends over two hours walking and running over some tough terrain.

He tells us that there is also a cylce track in the game park. Cyclists pay R10 or R20 and then have a circular route of about 67kays that they can safely ride without having to worry about the cars & trucks that we find on normal routes. After the run, Keith treated us to Mug & Bean breakfast and then dropped us off at the airport in penty of time for our 11.00am flight back home.

Back home that afternoon the weather was totally different to the warm morning that we had experienced in Jhb. It was chilly, wet and windy. Barbara spent most of the afternoon at home. On Monday afternoon I went for a short cycle with Ally. We passed a young boy running around the Grey. He is a std 9 pupil and tells me that he is hoping to make next year’s first rugby team. Xolani Facu. I will be watching the Grey rugby teams with interest next year.

I have been attending meetings for Addicts with Tim recently. This has been a real eye opener for me. All kinds of people have this problem and are trying to get over it. These meetings are run by John Preller. They are for recovering Addicts and Alcoholics. Real tough for a person who has to completely abstain and who interacts with others who can control their intake of alcohol.

Tuesday 22nd. It was Kerry Bryans birthday. This couple used to be in our cell group but left at the beginning of this year. Recently they sold their home in Wares Road and moved to near the old Polocrosse field near to Lovemore heights. They now live on a game reserve type of plot where six units have been built. They have a stunning house with all the fittings and have buck running around the property. We met Chris Lovemore there. Herman tells me that this man has made huge amounts of money in property development on the west side of the Lovemore Heights area. Ron and Lynne have remained friends with Rhoda and Kerry and were there as well.

This Wednesday, Barbara & Lene went off to Knysna. Michael had been offered a job in Knysna. It was with Furn City where he was currently employed. The company was due to open a new branch and had offered Michael the job of branch manager. Barbara & Lene were an advance party in the quest for accommodation, Schools and work for Lene.

Thursday 24th. We missed Cell Group last week due to others being out of town. So despite the fact that Charles & Ingrid could not be there as they were sick and Elize being overseas, we decided to go ahead and the Brinks came over. Tracey is about to leave for Luzanne to take part in the international Triathlon competition. She showed us her outfit. A Green and gold tracksuite that most of us would love to be able to wear. As well as the cycle pants and top that she will wear for the event. Right now Elize is in Turkey touring with her mother. Tracey tells us that Tracy Holliway is in the process of looking for a new job that does nto take her out of town as much. Dale is apparently very happy in his new job as HR executive for the African region.

On Monday morning, during the run, Mike Dean had made an interresting comment about how people in modern society are so wrapped up with their own lives that they coccoon themselves and do not meet new people. This is quite true for Barbara & I and I heard Andy agreeing as he said that their Sunday lunches with family are all the entertaining that they do. I then and there determined that I would change this for us and so this Friday we invited some people, who we met at school, (100 club and Hockey) for supper.

I also invited Mike as he was the one who put the idea into my mind. Desire Young was a friend of the Polo playing family of the Giddy’s. Desire knew Wayne, Charlotte and Mike Giddy. Desire, Kenny and their two children; Kate and Allison, Mike Dean joined us for supper and a game of Cranium. Then on Saturday morning I enjoyed an 18kay run with the group from Mill Park. That after noon, Barbara & ally went to see some of Ally’s friends in a Ballet at the Opera House.

Then later Barbara & I attended the Saturday evening service and the Braai at Nick and Audrey afterwards. This was a first for us as we knew about this braai after the Saturday evening service but had never been able to attend before.

Sunday morning I was supposed to go running with Tim but overslept. I spent most of the day cleaning the pool that had become thick with algae and the car which was filthy after Brabara’s trip to Knysna and the rains that we had had in PE.

ENA GIDDY 19 August 2006.

90 years have past
The deed is done, the die is cast
Our old Nene and Wilfred Lionel
First made Ian; and Ena was the final

Born in Scotland, schooled in Paris, and then Spain
Walked, & cycled through snow, sleet and rain.
Mourgat; Brittanny North of France
College in Edinburgh left nothing to chance.

Back and forth moved her dad.
A ladies man sure was this lad.
An inventor too, this engineering man
The conveyor belt was truly his plan.

Then as Ian moved to a career in Mining
Nene & Ena followed to the land of shining
Land on the Vaal was what they bought
Find a good man her mother taught.

Allan’s friend was John Pike
Ria’s friend Ena seemed a Good Strike.
The farm now too much to hold
Nene followed Ena to the City of Gold

The next move was the Avenue of Jan Smuts
The Cape Town move took some Guts
Modern Appliances worked out right for Dad
And the move to Port Elizabeth seemed quite mad


Kids in tow the move they made
Furniture and Appliances was Allan’s trade.
Finally back to Jo’burg they came
The life in PE far too tame.

Plett was next on the list
A house on the coast just seemed best
Plettenberg bay was a great place in the sun
Ena and Allan, family, friends. Just having fun.

Now it’s Ena: Parties, Bridge and Dinners
Never mind who are this days winners
Enjoy your life and make it the best
And put the younger people to the test.

Ena has certainly made the best of a life at the coast
Lets all rise and drink a toast
To Ena, our Mom, Sister and friend to All
A wonderful person to those who recall.