14November1995

Johannesburg: 14th November 1995
My dear family,

This has been a good day & very encouraging! Mum went off early with Bernie to the chiropractor for her daily session. I stayed behind and fiddled around on the computer, always a pleasant way to pass the time as you know. More important, before they left, I found a missing medical aid file whose absence had left Aunty B all but sleepless. It contained a whole lot of stuff that has to be settled before our departure on Saturday. I'm only just learning about the hazards of medical aid schemes but believe me, they are legion and best avoided. I'm grateful to leave it to Bernie to work them out. (Her daughter) Judy, who flew up on a lightning visit a couple of days ago, is a consultant in such schemes whose services are highly valued by both unions and management the new South Africa. They were equally valued by us.

Trish and Iris arrived elevenish, shortly before Mum returned. Needless to say, the former's car was packed to the gunwales with farm products for us and various items - no longer needed - for Bernie and her children. The former were packed into fridge and cupboards, the latter moved across to Mum's car for later delivery to Morna.

I went up to the bank to deliver a grateful bottle of whisky to the super efficient Theresa and to deposit an addendum to the title deeds in the strong box. So safety conscious is Standard Bank, it emerged, that - in spite of being able to sign away mother's earthly possessions - I was not entitled to add to subtract from her safety deposit box. My entreaties served no purpose. So Mum has to return with me tomorrow. Security, it seems, is security and not to be compromised by visiting sons.

I stopped over in a supermarket on the way back to top up on cold-drinks. Trishie had expressed the hope that there was an ample supply of gin and tonic(s) in the house. There wasn't but there is now. Over lunch, Bernie said she had been in touch with the medical aid who, in spite of being expressly asked not to, had posted off a whole wodge of vital documents to mother. Post out here is both slow and uncertain. Your plain letter tends to arrive in due course. Anything more interesting tends to arrive depleted or not at all. Fortunately, (her daughter) Morna works close by and was able to obtain a whole lot of duplicates. So Trish and I drove into Yeoville to fetch them.

Morna & partner have bought an old Johburg house with marvellous wooden floors. The grass grows unrestrained & the garden is decidedly au naturel - unkempt would be unkind. A large, very relaxed black cat lets you know he's around but doesn't particularly want to be bothered. It's rather nice. Morna works on a big AIDS project and travels all over the show in the process.

This evening, Katie, the Merrowdown chef, prepared - at Iris's request - such a supper as would have feted a king. I have often heard of beef Wellington. Now I know what it is. And I can tell you that - done, as it was tonight - it is superb. I hauled out an 18 year old bottle of Roodeberg to go with it and we feasted in some style. Sadly, Mum, who has sat around rather more than was wise, has retired tonight in some distress. Even so, it's been a good day as they go, and I'm hoping for better tomorrow.