We arrived in Eskcourt this morning after driving from Lythwood Lodge, dropped the rental car off and Sonja and David came to collect us to bring us to our rented house in the Drakensburg where we are staying for the next few days. Kobus’ parents are also here. The house we are staying in is humongous! It's quite a quirky place. It's located in the middle of nowhere, yet there is a bakery about 2km from the house which caters for the hotels and businesses in the Drakensburg area. The house is two storeys and each window is covered with burglar bars. I don't know why because unless one of the bakers up the road is a thief, no-one is going to break in! There is nothing worth taking in the house. For example, the microwave is about the size of a modern day oven. It must have been one of the first microwaves ever invented! The house is owned by three families who rent the house out when they are not holidaying in the area. There are lots of photos of the families from 1996 onwards which show the children on their bicycles, the families sitting together at the dinner table and enjoying their vacations. Although the furniture probably dates back to the Boer War, there is a very homely atmosphere in the house. The antiquated furnishings are a hodge podge of items that must have come from each of the families homes, probably the reject items that have been replaced by contemporary, stylish, matching items. There is evidence of the types of indoor activities the families partook in, I assume in the winter or when it was raining. Board games and an interesting selection of books are housed in a cabinet in the narrow passage way on the second floor.
A perfect place for the Venter family and inlaws to get together and enjoy each others’ company. We arrived at the house, had lunch, had a little nap as Kobus and I were knackered after Caleb and Kara's wedding.
I was feeling reflective in the evening and made the following observations:
Observation 1:
I notice that my writing style changes depending on my mood, location, what I have been reading, how much activity I have done in the day etc. Do I need to find the perfect set of conditions in order to be a good writer alongside some creative writing talent? How will I know if I am any good at writing? Jesus! What if I never find something I am good at?!? What will I do then? I only aspire to being a writer. I love to tell stories and I love words. What will I do if I am shite! Will I have a purpose onto myself? I already have purpose onto others. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend. When I had a job I served a purpose (small as it was) to an employer. But what about me? Difficult question to answer! Selfish question?
Observation 2:
Kobus’ family life is calmly regimental. Every evening, the Venter family decide what to do the next morning, what time to rise from bed, who will shower in the morning or evening, who will bathe. We have lunch together around the table and it's the same food nine times out of ten; bread rolls, ham, selection of cheeses, crackers, pickled cucumbers, sweet chilli sauce, Mrs. Balls chutney, fig jam, vienna sausages and a beverage of choice. So this evening when the discussion about what to bring for a picnic on tomorrow's excursion in the Drakensburg, I was perplexed! We never stray from the lunch shopping list! Maybe there is an outdoor picnic list!
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