Guido's Restaurant....
Wednesday 2nd April – Yesterday I had a run around the town in the car, first time I've driven in 3 years, taking my sister around to pay the monthly bills. In a world of internet banking, debit cards and mobile phones sometimes the old ways are the best. Personal contact between supplier and customer results in a better service when things run short and it is a good way to build friendships in the community. It was interesting working out who had right of way when the cross-roads all had 'stop' lines, you go in turn – simples, sort of. More of the town on another trip. Suffice it to say that, prior to it becoming a popular marina Port Alfred was, literally, a port and a very busy one too.
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| Construction of the harbour wall |
Today I had the guided tour of the establishment. Last summer my sister announced that she was giving up
teaching and moving to Port Arthur right down at the bottom of South Africa to take over the franchise on a restaurant with her partner, Toby who originated from near Johannesburg. I did a bit of 'Googling' as you do to find out that Guido's is a chain of pizza restaurants and take-away across South Africa. You can serve what you like in addition as long as their 20 something pizzas are available. I was very surprised at the size of the place, what an undertaking but what a view!
The building is designed with terraces on both levels affording unrestricted views of the river and the beaches. Indoors the tables are well spaced to give a light, airy atmosphere and the upstairs bar has been redesigned by Toby to make it more family orientated too. There are wide screen tvs showing the current sporting events but pride of place goes to the framed photograph and surf board belonging to Mickey Witthuhn, one of South Africa's international champion surfers who still frequents the place.
There are some 40 staff to fill the rotas, employment law here is even more complicated than the UK, including Pinkie who runs the child minding service. You can de-stress over a drink and a pizza, steak or salad, whatever takes your fancy whilst your children can play indoors or outdoors, watch a movie or access the internet under close supervision.
As it was such a lovely day in the afternoon I decided to walk along West beach to Kelly's beach for a swim. Now this might look easy but walking on sand and I did it both ways gave me aching legs by the time I got back. Forget jogging this will do nicely thank you! I didn't so much go for a swim, rather the sea played with me for a while. The waves generated by the incoming tied repeatedly swept me off my feet before I could get to a suitable depth for swimming. After I dried off I a lifeguard if it was always this rough and it normally isn't.I think this was a foretaste of the evening when the heavens darkened and the rain came down. High waves pounded the beach and harbour entrance and sheet lightning could be seen behind the clouds.
It is approaching autumn after all.
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| Even the sand sculptures reflect this popular watering hole! |
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