A dam good afternoon!

Thursday, 1st December 2011

Today, Urshla indicated that we were to enjoy a picnic together. She was to pick me up from the Jason's at 8:30am.
Dressed and ready to go, I waited, and waited, until 11:30am. After a busy and somewhat hectic schedule, it was actually quite nice to sit by the pool and relax for a time. I wrote a few thoughts in the diary I'd begun and phoned a couple of times to find out if there was hold up, but there was no answer on either the home or cell phone. So I just sat and pondered if I could cope with the delays; if this was to be our future together. The buzzer on the security gate signalled that she had finally arrived.

We called into a supermarket to buy extra food for the picnic. Urshla kindly deferred to me for the type of food I would enjoy eating. We drove to Urshla's home and packed a few picnic things. Her chosen picnic spot was the Albert Falls Dam, the water supply for PMB in the hills above PMB.

Shanty town

As we drove up to the dam, Urshla pointed out a district occupied by the Indian population and commented on their style of living.
Further on, we passed a district of adobe huts, scattered recklessly across a hillside and shallow valley. It was obviously the home to thousands of black South Africans living a third world existence in the midst of first world affluence. What a country of contrasts! We stopped to take photos. I was fascinated that people could live relatively primitively and yet own a TV. There were TV antennas on almost every home.

Nearby was the entrance to the dam reserve. Like other complexes open to the public, a guard house prevented our entrance. The entry fee was R55 for direct debit or R65 for cash. I asked about the difference. The black girl at the ticket counter said cash made them a target for robbers. Already in as many months, the girl had been robbed at gunpoint three times. And she continued to work there!
In Australia, she would've been offered trauma councelling and a transfer to a new location. Or quit the job. Another contrast of expectations in a society with such a vast divide between the haves and have nots.

Ibuck

The day was overcast and threatening showers, but we chose to enjoy the peace of the location anyway. The road passed by a very large fenced enclosure with African animals roaming inside. There were gazelles, zebra and other beasts that I didn't recognize.

We parked near a small, thatched picnic shelter and spread ourselves out to enjoy the meal prepared by Urshla. We ate under the shelter as the rain began to settle in. It was very peaceful looking out across the dam, watching the weather and the few other visitors to the reserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed Urshla's company and we talked about whatever came to mind. We laughed and were playful and full of being alone together.
The rain started to fall heavier so we sheltered in her car. We continued our fun and chatter, listening to music that Urshla had in a CD pack. Sitting in a car while on a picnic isn't much fun, but we didn't notice and were loving the opportunity that I'd come so far to discover.
I'd been struggling with a painful back spasm and Urshla at one stage, rubbed cream into the affected area. It felt good and seemed to ease the pain a little. I knew I loved her and wanted so many more days like this one. We kissed a little but only with affection, without passion.We shared a devotion from Ephesians and prayed about mutual matters, committing ourselves into God's care.
All we seemed to want, was to make each other happy. It was succeeding for me.

Albert Falls Dam

The afternoon passed easily and very pleasantly. Later the sun poked its face from behind the clouds and we took a stroll along the road, passing zebras grazing on the dam shore, seeing brightly coloured birds twittering about in rushes near a water hole. We held hands and held each other. We wanted the day to last longer but the sun was sinking into the horizon. We planned to have a special dinner later. The afternoon together was a special event, one that I hope will bring many fond memories for years to come.

Because of the rain, the air was quite sticky and arriving back at Urshla's, we both needed a wash. I had a bath and felt refreshed. My good shirt needed ironing, and Urshla kindly pressed it for me.

Urshla had booked a table at Butcher Brothers in downtown PMB. I promised to take her for a meal, as a token of my appreciation for all she'd organised to make my time in South Africa so successful. We said we'd step it up a bit, and dress up for the occasion we did. After my bath and dressing, I dozed on the couch while Urshla readied herself. After some time, I wondered at the delay, so Michele offered to see where her mother was up to. She called out, "there's a good looking man out here waiting for you".
Shortly after, Urshla appeared looking gorgeous in a long, deep pink, sleeveless evening dress. I gasped again at how lovely Urshla could look with some polish.

I drove to Butcher Brothers and we were shown to our table. It's a pleasant restaurant without being too classy, with a relaxed atmosphere. We were probably the best dressed couple there, but we wanted to be. This was a special night for us both. Tomorrow, I would be returning home, home without Urshla.

Dining, Butcher Brothers

Urshla is a tee-totaller but for the occasion, we ordered a bubbly white wine. Urshla was concerned that it would make her feel light-headed, but I assured her that one or two glasses would have no effect.
I ordered a rack of lamb and Urshla had a seafood dish. Both were delicious and beautifully cooked and presented.
We talked about our week and our plans for the future. We agreed that the week's outcome was better than hoped. We both felt we had something to look forward to as our relationship developed. I could hardly believe, that firstly I was in South Africa and that the woman I'd grown to love online, was all I could wish for. We'd prayed about these things together and it seemed that our prayers were being answered beyond our hopes. God is good and faithful in all things. My love for Urshla grew, the more I discovered of her.

I'd purchased a gift of a gold chain and Australian opal pendant as an expression of my affection for Urshla. She allowed me to place it around her neck, in full view of anyone who might be watching. I didn't care; I didn't know anyone there and thought it would give someone something to talk about, if they knew Urshla.

The meal finished, Urshla took me back to the Jason's home. We settled onto their loungeroom couch and held hands and talked some more. Tomorrow, I would be flying home. This was our last night together, maybe forever. We didn't know. I felt quietly confident that we would see each other again. I was determined by God's grace, that it would be so. Having become so attached to Urshla, it would not be easy to leave her.
After such a wonderful day of having her to myself, and thoroughly enjoying each other's company, I was again full of fondness for her. We were soon kissing passionately on the Jason's couch, Urshla so willing to show her love, and me desiring to give her mine. We thrilled at the intensity of our desire for each other. I wanted all of this lovely woman and I sensed she wanted a big piece of me too. I embraced and held her tightly to me, feeling the response of her body to our closeness. The pleasure was delicious and I wanted to eat all of her.

After a while, I felt a nagging pull of conscience, that it was inappropriate to press further in our passion. We paused and began to talk again, about a future plan for Urshla to travel to Australia.
I found in my travel wallet, a few hundred rand for Urshla to buy Helene a gift for her kind hospitality. I left her about AUD100 for visit to Australia. It was also a token of my commitment to see her again some day.
Urshla left for home soon after, with a plan that tomorrow we would spend more time alone together, before making tracks to Durban.

Next: The jumbled way home