Our destination today was the Drakensburg mountains, a region about 200km inland from PMB.
Urshla picked me up from the Jason's about 8am. We had breakfast at her home. Urshla's taste in breakfast was remarkably similar to my own. Michele and Ntsali were sleeping in Michele's bed and having a fine time of being with each other.
It worked out so well in God's provision for us, that Michele was not left spare while she accompanied her mother and me on our several road trips. She had the fun company of Ntsali and they are good friends. I hardly know what they talked about, because so much of my conversation and attention was for Urshla.
While washing the breakfast dishes, Urshla mentioned that the doors of her overhead cupboard irritated her because they didn't quite close together. I inspected the doors and found the hinges were out of adjustment and offered to fix them if Urshla could find me a screw driver. She insisted that I not think about it because I was on holidays and wasn't there to repair her house. I argued that it was easy to fix and no hardship. She wasn't having any of it, but I found a toolbox with the screwdriver I needed. The cupboard hinge was adjusted in a few seconds. When I checked the rest of the kitchen, all the doors were in need of adjustment. It took about 20 minutes to go around the whole kitchen and adjust all the hinges.
I also noticed the edge trim on the steps to the second level were cracked and broken. Urshla had already bought the necessary replacement trim. It just needed a saw and contact glue to finish the job. I knew it wasn't a big job either and would find a chance to buy the necessary items. Urshla said she had a man who did those jobs for her. Perhaps this time, I was the man.
I went with Urshla to the mall because she wanted to stock a few items. It was very satisfying just doing everyday ordinary things together. Urshla was lovely the way she asked me what I liked and what I would eat. As the guest, I would've eaten anything put in front of me, although it was nice to be given a choice. I can't quite remember what we purchased but we bundled it back into the car and went back to her place.
From there, we packed the car and set off for the Drakensburg mountain region. Our destination that night was the Hlalanathi Resort, overlooking the Tugela River. The road from PMB rises quite sharply onto the high plains towards Howick, Estcourt and Ladysmith. The road passes through a cleft in the hills, clothed with stands of eucalyptus and English trees. It's quite a pretty drive up, before leveling out onto the open plains of Mooi River.
We called in at Howick to visit Urshla's cousin for lunch. Even with the GPS, it took some finding. They live on an estate with a golf course. Entry was via a guard house and boom gate. Every car entering the estate is signed in and the driver issued a visitor's pass. Many places needed guard entry where ever we went in South Africa.
 |
| Some of the Bukus family |
We dined around their extensive dining table and Nella caught up with Urshla about many things. Again, I was occasionally lost with the conversation. They laughed at things that I couldn't catch onto because I didn't have the background details. That's to be expected and they made me feel very welcome nonetheless. Nella was very interested in how we met and to meet the man that Urshla had spoken so much about. They seemed like a lovely, hospitable Christian family, who are no strangers to hard work. After lunch, we snapped photos as reminders of our visit. We pointed again for the mountains.
 |
| Typical S African rural scene |
We swept passed Mooi River and by Estcourt. We paid tolls at Mooi River, because this was the main, double-laned motorway to Johannesburg; very busy with trucks. At the R74 intersection, we swung west toward Winterton, stopping for photos here and there. The flat country with its many thorn trees, are iconic of the Africa seen in books and on TV. With different vegetation, they could've been scenes lifted from Australia.
One point of interest not seen at home are mud huts, home to the black workers of the landowners. We stopped at a cluster of huts to ask if we could capture a photo. Because there was no one home, we took photos. I thought if some stranger rocked up to my place, walked into my yard and wandered into my house, I'd probably call the police.
The huts are circular, with a painted earthen floor, adobe walls and thatched roof. They appeared very well built and inside, warm and embracing. There was a cooking pot in the centre of the hut, with sitting or sleeping mats around the perimeter. I saw no water or power connections. The tongue and groove door swung loosely on a frame. Air could easily pass around the edges and under the door. There was a strong wind streaking across the open countryside. I wondered how the occupants kept warm during the winter months. There are no dividing walls or curtains, no cupboards, no furniture, just a large open space. Windows on opposite sides provided the only light and ventilation openings. All the fittings looked as if they'd been gathered from used building material lots.
There was an animal enclosure outside, made of corrugated iron and wire. It was a small enclosure so could only assume it was for chickens. There were no animals around though. The wind may have transported them away like Dorothy to the Land of Oz.
We passed through Winterton, a very small town with homes and shops lined either side of the road. There is a cluster of shops, petrol station and not much else. Again there is black skin going about its business. A couple of Kombis were stopped at the edge of the town with a few blacks waiting around. It struck me as strange for a small town to be here in the middle of nowhere. A number of large non-indigenous trees indicated that the town is well established and had existed for a long time. I wondered who lived there and who owned the shops.
A short drive further on, we passed a roadside shop advertising vetkoek. Urshla wanted me to sample some because it was a South African delicacy. We u-turned, but there was no vetkoek in supply. Urshla instead bought some golden syrup honey-comb and nut-crackle. Vetkoek is like ollibollen that I knew from the Dutch immigrants in Tasmania. It's a ball of dough that's been deep-fried. Olliebollen includes diced orange peel and raisins. The honey-comb and nut-crackle did almost as well.
We continued on towards Hlalanathi Resort. As we neared our destination, black hawkers appeared at intersections and culverts, brandishing wooden carvings of African animals. We waved and drove straight past. Urshla would not come into this remote region by herself and Michele. She felt the risk of women on their own would be too great.
We eventually turned into Hlalanathi, again only allowed entry via a guard house and boom gate. We collected our chalet key from reception. The desk was staffed by a very friendly, smiling dark woman of traditional build. We unpacked the Polo and settled into the chalet.
The chalet felt very rustic, with exposed pine beams, floor boards that creaked and a thatched roof. With the Tugela River basin and plains as a backdrop, the chalets looked very much a part of the scenery and had a quaint appeal.
When ever you settle into a new surrounding, it helps to enjoy a cuppa tea or beverage. It seemed like a long drive and it was good to stop and let road noise subside. The weather was overcast and cool. What struck us almost immediately, was the quiet. There was no sound of traffic or city noises. Even the birds and other creatures were silent. It was a contrast to the bustle of Durban and we began to relax. Urshla and I soon after began to prepare for supper. I helped to chop meat and vegetables and Urshla put the meal together. All I wanted to do was take her by the waist and waltz her around the kitchen. We were chaperoned by Michele and I know Urshla was conscious of behaving appropriately in front of her daughter.
She made me laugh trying to light the gas cooktop. To light the burners required pressing the gas button and ignition button at the same time. When pressed together, the gas lit with a poof and Urshla jumped back in fright. It took a few presses and backward jumps before the gas ignited in the burners.
We ate supper and chatted over the meal table. Michele and Ntsali retired upstairs to continue the fun they were enjoying in each others' company. I washed the dishes and pots and pans. Urshla made us a drink and we sat on the couch and chatted to each other for a long time. We could hear the happy sounds from upstairs subside later in the evening. We heard the noises of getting ready for bed. It was pleasant to have the lounge to ourselves. Being with Urshla and enjoying being with each other, stirred up my love and fondness for her.
I don't know how it began, but we were again kissing each other longingly. Tonight, there was a willingness after our tentativeness last night. Urshla held me close and I relished her closeness and love she showed me. I kissed her neck, her ears, eyes and below her neck. I caressed her neck and back of her head. I swept her hair away from her face. I felt her tongue searching my lips and opened myself to her. It was so, so long since I'd enjoyed such pleasures and I lost myself in her lips and hunger for affection. I tenderly drew her tongue into my mouth and explored her wetness and warmth with mine, again and again. Waves of pleasure ran through me as I gently caught her tongue between my teeth and lips. I never imagined we would be enjoying intimacy like this.
Urshla gave herself willingly to my attention and held me tight. She laid back into the couch and I knelt on the floor next to her. I kissed her shoulders and upper chest. The effect was intoxicating. She pulled me into herself and squeezed her breasts against me as if craving for more. Coming up for air, I said "Our chaperon should be sacked for allowing such behaviour." Urshla smiled and pulled me to her again. She was flushed with pleasure and desire. Her face glowed and her lips blushed with colour. I asked what she wanted me to do? She smiled and drew me to her and held me tightly again.
I didn't know where this outflow of desire was going. I said that we should probably call it a night and go to bed. There was no answer for a long while. I took Urshla's hand and led her up the stairs and pointed into her room. She took me around the neck at the top of the stairs and gave me a long, loving kiss, said goodnight and retired to bed.
As delightful as it was to enjoy her love and attention, the thought that maybe she was not for me, sobered me. I could not let myself pollute this loving and tender woman for the man who may become her husband.
I'd come 11,000km to find out if there was a connection between Urshla and me. If last night wasn't enough, tonight I had my answer .
Next: Musical interlude
No comments:
Post a Comment