Just one more time

Thank you so much for such a magnificent May 2021 Getaway magazine. Simply magical – you took me down memory lane with a heartfelt wish with your marvellous articles and photos, especially Wilful Disengagements and Stoep Sitting.

Just one more time, I want to travel through the scenic solitude of the Karoo, while passing through classic dorpies. One more time I want to stop for fuel, fresh fruit juice and some volstruis biltong. Then quickly drive on, visit a padstal, where a lonely donkey will remind me to slow down. At Oudtshoorn, I will turn to Meiringspoort with the humming cicadas.

Where the bluegum trees line the road, I will turn right, drive along Main Street, ignoring the stop sign ( just this time), over the railway line, past the school and cemetery. I will open the gate onto the gravel road and a meerkat will be sitting there. At the milk stall, some cats will still be lingering around. Then, mom and dad will excitedly be waiting at the voordeurhekkie. We will greet with hugs and tears and more hugs. Coffee will be waiting on the stoep. (How I long for the stoep sitting!)

I will bath in a sprinkling of water because the rainfall is scarce and the water level in the tank is low. When I say goodnight, the bakkie keys will obviously be next to the torch, conveniently within reach on the bedside table. Mum will read from the largeprint Bible. I will blow out my candle immediately, and all that will be left will be darkness and silence.

How I wish for just one more time… Thank you for your most useful trip planner and hints to do this, stop here, eat here and stay here because a visit with my parents is no longer possible.

Jacoba Langenhoven Park