One Man in South Africa

It is Sunday, the sun is shining and a day for relaxing, all of which I had forgotten about when I decided to head out to the large man-made lake at Hartbeespoort as half of the population of Pretoria probably had the same idea.  Actually it wasn't a problem until arriving at the approach road to the dam itself where the crossing is single carriage and light controlled by a man who either counts cars or times it on his watch.  Beware the 'lookie, lookie' men trying to sell anything and everything to the captive audience. A gift isn't  a gift as they will eventually turn it into a purchase.

It is Saturday and where does everyone go? Down town of course so off I went. Following the 21 into Pretoria after changing my rental car my first view of the city was a building resembling the great wall of China. Is this going to be an 'IKEA' city I asked myself but found to my delight that pockets of history remain amongst the new. I followed a pigeon’s route into the city i.e. my head told me I was heading in the right direction. I pulled over next to a beautiful park as there happened to be a parking slot to consult my map. The sign said 'Bergers Park' and eventually with the help of a local I found out where I was.

South Africa 'Series Two' or should it be 'Have boot will travel'? Those of you who know me are aware that I have damaged my leg again and it was touch and go whether or not I would make the flight. Ever the adventurous spirit I had booked my flight with 'Quatar' departing from London Heathrow at 16:00 hrs on the 1st October flying via Dohar to Johannesburg arriving 13:45 the next day. Everything went smoothly, the airline ferried me around in a wheelchair, my case didn't get lost, my new 'Cabin Max' hand baggage holdall at less than a kilo allowed me to meet the 7kilo weight restriction with the same amount of hand baggage that I normally carry and I was well fed throughout. A different menu with a different airline. The both ground and air crew were excellent but, if you are having a stop over of more than an hour or two ask about the sleeping lounge at Dohar's magnificent new airport. Apparently it has reclining seats and blankets which wou...