13November1995

Johannesburg: 13th November 1995
My dear family,

My printer was restored to health this morning. What relief! It has cranked out fifty pages today, of letters, faxes, schedules, bank details and you name it. I was starting to feel like I'd lost my voice. So, some satisfaction, both at its reinstatement and at the host of things that have been accomplished today.

It started early with another appointment for Mum at the chiropractor, a Dr Russel Sher, who operates from his home very close to where Kevin and Ann used to live in Parkmore. Mum has had another reasonable day, with two long periods of activity in-between rests on the bed. She has no patience with her body's failings, and curses the aches and pains that force her to retire with the hot water bottles that are often her only consolation. She has taken a couple of pain-killers today but with little confidence in their ability to reduce the sciatica that so often plagues her. Bernice and I try to encourage her when she's down, mixing admonition and exhortation.

Even when she's on the bed, her mind is never still, ranging constantly over things to be done...instructions for the maid.....what's to be said in a letter....who's to have this or that! She carefully put aside several customs forms for Brendan to use in sending parcels overseas. Brendan, whose diplomatic skills could set up home in a thimble, hooted with laughter. He has, of course, many other merits to compensate. But they did not include remembering to take home the chicken mother had carefully obtained for him, an omission that left her fuming - expletives deleted all around the kitchen. In some respects, she hasn't changed. In others, it's hard to recognise her. Even so, that's enough on the subject. It's been a good day and one is grateful for it.

I spent an hour at the bank settling matters, setting up a standing order and organising powers of attorney and the right to send the bank fax instructions from Mum, Brendan and myself (in short, those of us who were around to sign the appropriate forms). There's a consultant type person there, Theresa Fisher, who's a powerhouse. Mum says Glen Jackson, now a big shot with Standard, put in a word. But word or no word, the service has been first class.

The maid, Josephine, came today to clean and iron. We have hatched complex plans to keep her on a less frequent service. Louise is to take over supervision of the gardener who comes once a fortnight, as well as assuming responsibility for keeping an eye on the cottage - a service I sold on the basis of my London experiences. I hope both parties will be well satisfied. Both Bea and Mum lent a hand with drawing up a fairly detailed inventory in case of having to claim for theft for fire - God forbid.

Aunty Bea came swimming with me this evening. It has continued hot - around 30 degrees - and the pool has proved a great way to cool down and a valuable source exercise. Aunty Iris comes down tomorrow with Trish for a day and a half. Both fly out on Wednesday evening, Aunty back home, Trish I think back to England. I had a long chat to Kenneth yesterday. Thank you Ann for your call and advice - carefully noted - today.