Well, I have a reader! Didn't know until a dear friend told me about reading this. Not sure how to deal with that, as a blog is kid of like a diary, and it is more easy to put personal things in there if you think no-body will read it. Not at least until after you are dead and buried. Truth be told, I had forgotten that it was even here, and it was her reminding me that prompted me to have another go. So thank you my dear!
So where am I now?
Johannesburg. Have been here for 3 months, and suffered 1 mosquito bite during the whole trip. I consider that a victory. As it happens, I am heading back to UK tomorrow for a month. That will be nice - seeing the family, meeting up with friends, drinking decent beer in proper pubs and walking the dog. Found a couple of places that serve draft Guinness here, but apart from that there is only fizzy lager shite.
And I don't really know anybody here. Mustafa doesn't go out of an evening, so I've nobody to go exploring with. I've been living at his house over the past 3 months, whilst we decide where I'll be better off living. Choices are a cottage in the grounds of another house he owns, or a homestead farmhouse about 15 K south of the city.
Both have plus and minus points... The cottage is on a lovely, very smart estate which has proper security and even though quiet, is only 400 metres from the centre of the suburb. There are clubs, bars, restaurants and basically plenty of entertainment places which can be walked to. There are 4 staff in the quarters of the house. The house itself is very large: pool, tennis court, and set on a lovely large piece of land in one of the best suburbs of Jo'Burg. All in all very nice.
Thing is, the main house is in need of renovation, and Mustafa has not decided whether to renovate or redevelop. If he redevelops he will build at least 10 houses on the plot, or maybe an apartment complex. Until then, there is a feeling of Miss Havisham's about the place, with the sword of Damocles thrown in for good measure.
The homestead is on a little hillock overlooking the road, with drive up to it. Although the road is close, it still feels remote. It has a lemon tree with the sweetest lemons I have ever tasted. The pool needs renovating, but it is nice. It is on the edge of a farming 'village' area, and there are actually a few pubs around. Almost like an African version of home. However I'm not so comfortable with the idea of going out at night. It is a lot more remote, and security must be considered.
More to follow - it is late now and I need sleep.
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