Mike and I had reason to go into Cape Town this morning. We went early and it was so quiet. What a treat to wonder around the city centre and enjoy the beauty of the Mother City. Parking was easy to find. The traders were setting up…
Mike bought a rucksack and we wandered down to the Foreshore where we enjoyed breakfast with this view…
On the way back to the car, we stopped at Cape Town Station to capture this iconic view…
It thrills me to live in this city.
As I walked along Adderley Street, I cast my mind back to 1983 when one of my most memorable crazy teenage events occurred. There used to be a hotel somewhere round Merriman Square. At the top was a restaurant/nightclub kind of place. I was new to Cape Town and was doing my nurse’s training at Somerset Hospital in Green Point. Only thing was that their nurses’ home was not yet finished being built, so they housed us at Woodstock Nurses’ Home. Needless to say that sometimes a less-than-savory type of chap hung around the home, keen to befriend any young and impressionable nurses. One of these guys unfortunately took a shine to me. I can’t remember his name. One day he asked to see a signet ring that I wore. I took it off and let him see it. He then refused to give it back. I was infuriated. He said he was leaving Cape Town (hooray!) and was having a farewell at this restaurant/nightclub place and he would give me my ring back only if I came to his farewell. Reluctantly I agreed. He promised me I would be collected and would get a ride home with his friend. The night arrived and sure enough someone pitched up at Woodstock Nurses’ Home and a whole bunch of us went off to the hotel and caught the lift to the top floor where a party ensued. I didn’t drink. It went on and on with me periodically pleading with this guy to give me back my ring. Eventually he did. Then I tried to get home. The place emptied out and eventually there were about five of us left with no transport back to Woodstock! There was nothing to be done except for us to WALK. We left about 1am and headed through the quiet streets of central Cape Town. As we got towards Sir Lowry Road, a car came along with two guys in the front. They stopped and asked if we wanted a lift. All of us piled in and these guys dropped us at Woodstock Nurses’ Home front door. I was livid. I stormed inside. The night matron was aghast at seeing me (innocent and sober). I greeted her and explained my fury. Then I went straight up to bed. The other couple of nurses rolled in.
Surprisingly, I didn’t get into trouble for that night’s late arrival. I had broken the house rules by getting in so late, but I think they knew it was not my fault. It was a good lesson. In future I would be more careful.
I still have that ring.
I did see the chap again. He actually had never left Cape Town at all, but as you can imagine, I kept him at arm’s length. I remember him coming to Carinus Nurses’ Home one day and asking me to “catch a train with him to Muizenberg.” Never before had it been so easy to turn down a date!
Fun memory.
#426 of my 1000 thanks is for God’s protection on my life that unexpected night. I was 18 years old and far more careful after that.
Isaiah 43:1
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
What a privilege.
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂