Swimming to a dinner party

28th November 2011

I woke early determined to have a swim. The pool yesterday and Saturday was cold because of the weather. This morning the sun was out and the breeze had died down significantly. I was the first to the pool and I tested the water. It was cool and dirty because of all the trash blown into it yesterday. The water level was overflowing the sides because of the rain. I looked up to level 11 and waved at Urshla who was watching out her window. I slipped into the water and sucked in my breath at the water's freshness. It wasn't long before I was accustomed to the temperature and enjoyed a 40 minute frolic.

As I watched the pool during breakfast, the pool maintenance man was busy cleaning the bottom and skimming the surface. Pity he wasn't a couple of hours earlier. The swim was very refreshing and worth the effort. I did think about a dip in the ocean but the waves were still quite high and the water churned.  Urshla mentioned that we would go further south and see if we could swim at a better beach.

Breakfast was light with cereal and juice, just the first meal of the day I enjoy. As I came to breakfast, I stole a good morning kiss by the sink. Urshla seemed a little shy at that, probably because Michele was in the same room.

Umphlanga reserve

While Michele and Ntsali went to the beach, Urshla and I took a walk in a reserve immediately north of Breakers. I'd seen the walking tracks from our room and they were loudly calling my name. I was drawn to walk into the reserve because it looked inviting. And it proved to be so.
The reserve keepers labelled many of the trees with their botanical and local names. I found the names very interesting. We saw monkeys, guinea fowl, butterflies, red millipedes, berries and flowers plus other flora and fauna. It was very pleasant walking with my sweetheart; it was something new for her I think and an activity we could enjoy together, even though amongst the trees it was very humid. May there be many more adventures to come. Urshla is a little apprehensive about animals and insects but found the walk stimulating all the same. She looked very much in a beach mood, in her bright pink 3/4 jeans and black strap top. The walk was even a little romantic.

We burst out of the reserve, down a sand dune and onto the Umphlanga Beach. We walked along the beach barefoot, skipped stones on the surf back wash, collected assorted shells for Michele and chatted and laughed like lovers. It was wonderful with Urshla, to be at a place that she liked.

We packed up our rooms, put everything in the car and drove south to look at more of Durban. The storms and rain caused sand to wash onto the major roads, creating traffic delays. The same hold up occurred the previous night when Urshla and Michele went to pick up Ntsali.

By now, it was close to lunch time and we stopped at North Beach, Central Durban for a wander and looked for a place to eat. The area is popular and even for a Monday it was buzzing with people.
A man took people for rides in a rickshaw. A sand sculptor repaired sculptures after the rain. Street performers juggled and walked on stilts. The esplanade felt festive! And it put us in a good mood too.

The same weekend was a convention in Durban, on climate change, with delegates from all over the world. I met a few on the flight from Australia; in my humble opinion, sausages in a machine that is churning out information that the media is soaking up. Real doomsdayers. I offered to read one of the speeches for the New Zealand delegate but she declined. It was rather cheeky but she told me she would rather be elsewhere! Her boss sent her to South Africa. Nice junket if you like that sort of thing.

Lunch at Wimpys

We walked the esplanade for a short way then decided to eat. Wimpys has a comfortable cafe facing the water and the service was good.  You can see how relaxed we'd become with each other. Look where Urshla has her arm! We enjoyed a relaxed meal while Urshla tried to arrange a visit to her mother-in-law for later that day. After lunch we did the thing that every mother knows shouldn't be done, ie. went swimming.

The Indian Ocean was settled after the previous days' winds with a slight swell, making ideal breakers for body surfing. Urshla minded the clothes while Michele, Ntsali and I plunged into the water. The day was warm and the water perfect although a little murky. The beach's sand texture was finer than at Umphlanga. Must've come from a different rock in the region. Umphlanga Beach's sand is coarse and almost sharp in comparison.

We walked back to the car and I changed out of my wet clothes on the street, while the ladies looked the other way. Urshla was still trying to arrange a time to visit Ma Ellis, but it wasn't going to work out, so we headed back for PMB.

Dr Pixley Kaseme Street, Durban

We turned into Dr Pixley Kaseme Street, a street that took us the length of downtown Durban. It gave me a better picture of life for South Africans. It appeared to be wall to wall black people. I don't think I spotted white skin anywhere. Car and Kombis headed in our direction and the scene was busy if not a little chaotic.

Further toward PMB, we passed fresh fruit and vegetable markets filling the footpaths. Street stalls and small shops were busy with people and trade. Yet the buildings looked modern and well kept. There seemed to be a clash of rich and poor but it appeared to work OK. The people looked happy and generally going about a normal life. We had a dinner party to prepare for, so we were keen to keep moving. Otherwise I would've liked to spend time walking the streets. Some might advise me to go cautiously. It was still South Africa.

The trip to PMB was mercifully uneventful but a time to be in the car together. Michele and Ntsali chatted happily in the back seat. Urshla kept the car pointing in the right direction and we talked about different things, as we always did.

To my horror, I noticed that Urshla did not wear a safety belt. I gently chastised her for being so remiss. Michele reminded her that AJ was killed because she was thrown from a car while not wearing a seat belt. From that point, it was a constant source of reminder to get into the habit of wearing that belt. It gave me the shudders to think of her driving at 140kph in the rain, without a belt.

We arrived safely at Woodlands and unpacked the car. It's great to go away for a weekend, but it's always good to get back to base. Urshla doesn't have a shower in her bathroom (that's why it's called a bathroom) so I had a bath, something I haven't had in a long, long time. It was actually good to relax suspended in water and let the warmth overtake my weary body. Walks in a reserve, swimming in the pool and a plunge in the sea, runs down the reserves of an old man. It had been a most satisfying day but now we had to prepare to go out again. I had a brief nap in the spare bed and felt much refreshed on top of a bath.

We travelled across town to Hugh and Helene's and arrived politely late. Helene greeted us enthusiastically and had a very attractive spread prepared for four couples. Soon after Axel and Annin arrived followed by Bertie and Phyllis. It was just terrific to meet the people who were so important in Urshla's life and who I'd heard so much about. I had been really looking forward to meeting them. As the odd man out, I didn't always connect to some of the conversation threads and there were subjects that didn't make sense at all. There was too much background information that I didn't know.

Urshla described our circumstances and how we met. I felt a little uncomfortable when they knew I'd only been widowed for such a short time. But Annin was lovely and touched my hand as a condolence for the loss of Mary. She is still grieving the loss of her own daughter and it appeared evident that Axel was not coping so well. Annin could talk about it but Axel didn't have much to say and was bottling much emotion inside. Axel was the funny man, with his dry sense of humour and corny jokes.

Bertie looked quite unhappy, like a man with a great weight on his shoulders. Urshla told me about his circumstances at work and I could understand why. He talked about a change of occupation with his brother or brother-in-law. It sounded like a good plan to me. There were little prospects for Bertie in the job that was currently causing him so much stress.

Hugh arrived late but fitted into the group easily and the party flowed smoothly. They are not people who see each other often, but pick up where they left off, no matter how long ago it might have been. Almost as soon as the party started, it seemed to be over. South Africans are early risers and work very hard. A Monday night party is difficult to fit into a busy week. I hope they gave Urshla the nod of approval. "Philip's OK for you." Maybe I'll never know. Everyone dispersed quickly once they were on their feet. A few man hugs, some lady's kisses and they were gone. Urshla wasn't far behind and I offered to see her safely to the security gate.

As Urshla climbed into her car, I thought to sit in the passenger's seat and talk with her for a while. I thanked her for organizing the party and said how much I enjoyed it and what lovely friends she has. I was so filled with affection and love. I so wanted to hold her and show her my love and affection. I began to stroke the back of her neck and caress her scalp. She responded with love words and stroked my arm. And then I kissed her on the lips. It was not a long kiss, just a quick peck. There was no resistance and I gave her love words in return.
"Oh my darling, you don't know how much I've wanted to do that."
She reached behind my head and pulled me to her and returned my kiss. It was a series of pecks and I knew she felt the same. What had become of our resolution!?

From there we hugged and kissed and it was wonderful to have release for our love for each other. I kissed her neck, behind her ears and many times on the lips, long lingering kisses of pleasure. We forgot conversation as we revelled in the outbreak of affection and fondness. It was raining gently outside and the car windows were frosting up, more from the humidity than desire. We wound the window down a crack and spoke fondly and affectionately to one another and Urshla felt like butter in my arms. She was so compliant and willing to pour out pent up love and desire for me. We clung to each other and embraced passionately. In the half light, she looked beautiful and young and her skin and lips glowed. She smiled sublimely and with great satisfaction. It was fantastic to see the effect our intimacy had on my darling.

It had been so long for her, the dam had sprung a leak. It was many months for me too and the pleasure of physical intimacy was truly marvelous. If I felt love for this woman before, I certainly knew the sheer joy of showing it in those precious moments.

Our relationship had reached a new height. How satisfying the outpouring of emotion was! It surprised me. For me at least, there was only a moderate rise in passion. I felt no need for more. The dam had burst for me too but it was enough. The freshness, scent and taste of Urshla was all I needed in those moments.

The many minutes passed quickly but it was time to call it a night, as difficult as it was. We kissed again and I felt the years roll away. Could this really be happening in my fifties? "Live with it my boy" I found myself saying. "This is the real thing."

Next: Mountain treats