‘Dankie’ too small

I AM A proud Londoner, but a frequent visitor, and currently enjoying a twiceyearly fix of the Cape and all you have to offer.

My visits are invariably preceded by the concerns of friends and relatives about safety and crime. I’m not saying there aren’t significant problems here, but in the 13 years I have been visiting, I have only ever experienced kindness, friendship and generosity.

Take Sunday, for instance. I was enjoying the sun at that glorious stretch of beach near Ons Huisie in Bloubergstrand but managed to leave my cellphone on a park bench. My life is on this phone – with back-up only available on my home PC, 6 000 miles away.

On realising the loss perhaps 40 minutes later, I rang my number in desperation to be greeted by the wonderful Helena, who had found the phone and had been to extraordinary lengths to make contact with friends to try and secure safe return.

Yes, there is a good dose of luck involved in this story but it is typical of my adventures in your country, where without fail, people have gone out of their way for me.

Even the parking attendant – and let’s be honest, we Brits view these people with much suspicion – could not have been kinder or more sympathetic.

“Dankie” somehow seems too small a word! Thank you South Africa! friendly, albeit professional, way they went about their duties.

I am somewhat of a skinflint but I was so impressed that I went out and bought the four staff on duty a packet of muffins for tea.

I hope you enjoyed them as you certainly deserved them.

Diep River

Rondebosch