We rose in a leisurely fashion and I was down for breakfast a little before John. There were two guys there, an American and a New Zealander, not travelling together and I joined in conversation with them. The American had just arrived the previous night and the New Zealander had been travelling around for almost three weeks and had a couple of days left. We had a good chat – more nice people at the guest house. There was also another great example of the great service that we had enjoyed, there was yoghurt and fruit for a start today and Ilse had remembered that I didn’t eat Yoghurt from the last time she served this so she just made me a fruit cocktail – just great service! Another example was that Jana, Johnny and Ilse’s daughter was at the guest house this morning (we first met her last week) and she gave advice to the American, who was only in town for the day, and then going by train to Cape Town in the afternoon. She asked where we were going and we said just to the local shopping centre up the road. A few minutes later she came back in and said that about 15 minutes away there was another centre called Rosebank and it also had a craft market and other attractions and she thought it would be better for us. She was right – just so helpful and proactive on our behalf. The above photo shows Ilse, Johnny and some of their team, with us.
We packed and left our bags at the guest house and went to Rosebank.
As we got there we heard this great music and turned the corner to see the Soweto Marimba Youth League in full flow. A great bunch of young, talented people and we stood and watched them for a while. I bought one of their CDs which I look forward to. A great group which is largely self-managed – we spoke to a white volunteer that works with them and he explained the set up – and I was happy to make the donation and I’m sure the CD will be great as well. If you have time then have a look at their website, www.smyle.co.za.
We went to the craft market, had the usual banter with sellers and some negotiation for a few things that we bought.
It was a great place and after w came out of the craft market area we listened for a while to a quintet of harmony singers (like Ladysmith Black Mambazo) who were excellent. We walked through the main shopping centre, which was impressive, and then got back to the car and drove to the guest house to say our goodbyes and pick up our bags. Hugs and kisses with all the team and we left – but with much fondness in our hearts and admiration for the great work that Ilse, Johnny and their team do for their guests. It was to be recommended and I hope to go back one day.
The journey to the airport was uneventful and we were deliberately early as we wanted to see the England v Gemany game on the TV. The check-in wasn’t yet open for the flight and so we found a table in a restaurant aptly called Cappello and enjoyed some food and drink while watching the game.
England were thoroughly outplayed by a stronger side although the referee clearly got a decision wrong where a Lampard shot had crossed the line off the crossbar. It will start the debate on technology use again, and rightly so, it cannot be right that games swing on factual points like this when technology exists so readily for games at the top level. Would it have changed things, who knows, but I doubt it. The truth is that England have been poor all tournament and qualified second in a poor group (USA are out as well so both teams from that group have been eliminated). If they would have done better in the group they would have avoided Germany at this stage. Oh the eternal cry of the football fan...........what if? In the end we were pleased that we didn’t have to watch it live although had they qualified top we would have seen then against Ghana, not Germany, and that might have been interesting. The omens where not good in any case – I saw Mick Jagger filmed in the crowd at half time. In the semi-final of Euro ’96, when England lost on penalties to Germany, he was sitting four rows in front of me. Mick, please stay away next time England play Germany.
And so to the plane for the journey home. We coincided our departure with that of England and our Virgin flight will be only slightly before that of the England team with the same airline in the next couple of days. We had a much better time than them!
We packed and left our bags at the guest house and went to Rosebank.
As we got there we heard this great music and turned the corner to see the Soweto Marimba Youth League in full flow. A great bunch of young, talented people and we stood and watched them for a while. I bought one of their CDs which I look forward to. A great group which is largely self-managed – we spoke to a white volunteer that works with them and he explained the set up – and I was happy to make the donation and I’m sure the CD will be great as well. If you have time then have a look at their website, www.smyle.co.za.We went to the craft market, had the usual banter with sellers and some negotiation for a few things that we bought.
It was a great place and after w came out of the craft market area we listened for a while to a quintet of harmony singers (like Ladysmith Black Mambazo) who were excellent. We walked through the main shopping centre, which was impressive, and then got back to the car and drove to the guest house to say our goodbyes and pick up our bags. Hugs and kisses with all the team and we left – but with much fondness in our hearts and admiration for the great work that Ilse, Johnny and their team do for their guests. It was to be recommended and I hope to go back one day.The journey to the airport was uneventful and we were deliberately early as we wanted to see the England v Gemany game on the TV. The check-in wasn’t yet open for the flight and so we found a table in a restaurant aptly called Cappello and enjoyed some food and drink while watching the game.
England were thoroughly outplayed by a stronger side although the referee clearly got a decision wrong where a Lampard shot had crossed the line off the crossbar. It will start the debate on technology use again, and rightly so, it cannot be right that games swing on factual points like this when technology exists so readily for games at the top level. Would it have changed things, who knows, but I doubt it. The truth is that England have been poor all tournament and qualified second in a poor group (USA are out as well so both teams from that group have been eliminated). If they would have done better in the group they would have avoided Germany at this stage. Oh the eternal cry of the football fan...........what if? In the end we were pleased that we didn’t have to watch it live although had they qualified top we would have seen then against Ghana, not Germany, and that might have been interesting. The omens where not good in any case – I saw Mick Jagger filmed in the crowd at half time. In the semi-final of Euro ’96, when England lost on penalties to Germany, he was sitting four rows in front of me. Mick, please stay away next time England play Germany.And so to the plane for the journey home. We coincided our departure with that of England and our Virgin flight will be only slightly before that of the England team with the same airline in the next couple of days. We had a much better time than them!
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