A remarkable book full of zany action
A REMARKABLE book comes this way. At 512 pages in A4 format, you could stun a rhino with it.
The book contains chapters on the early history of Natal and Zululand; chapters on early Natal families, one in particular; chapters on World War II; chapters on life in London; chapters on rugby in Maritzburg; chapters on the high-jinks that went with rugby; chapters on travel in Africa; and plenty more. Plus loads of pictures.
Foxie’s Way is the life story of the writer, Phillip “Foxie” Rodwell, in Maritzburg and elsewhere, written to explain to his children and grandchildren – and anyone else interested – how he grew up, the oddities of those times and why he (and his old friends) could today be considered somewhat quirky.
Do I get a mention? Er, yes. A few times alas.
Example: A lady friend and I had been to a great dinner party at the Otto’s Bluff farmhouse of a delinquent known as Rodger “Poison Dwarf” Farren (now farming in Tanzania).
When we left to drive home, we did not notice the Poison Dwarf slipping into the car through the rear door.
As we drove along the farm road, she suddenly slapped my face. I’d done nothing to deserve it. But the crouching Poison Dwarf had reached forward from behind to interfere with her.
I turfed him out and left him to walk a mile or so back to the farmhouse.
Yes, them wuz the days. Foxie recalls the rugby songs: She Waded In The Water, Dina Dina, Show Us A Leg, Alouette, Barnacle Bill the Sailor, Petrnella Labuschage (sung to the tune of The Volga Boatman) and many more.
Memories, memories ... closing time at Collegians Rugby Club when late-stayers would stack the unoccupied bar stools to a height then run in and dive-tackle the bottom one, causing an untidy jumble of furniture and tackler, the latter often significantly injured.
It goes on and on.
The two fellows who went into the women’s dormitory at the Teachers’ Training College in Maritzburg one evening to invite them out to a late-night bite at Twiggy’s Pie Cart, in the Market Square.
Nothing untoward, they behaved perfectly, yet got a very stern lecture from the cops, though, incredibly, nothing further. Those days certainly were different.
The occasion in Lusikisiki, in the Transkei, when a fellow went awol after an egg and tomato fight in the hotel bar, was found taking a bath in one of the hotel bathrooms and was then, as punishment for desertion, carried out starkers into the street for his bottom to be placed on the hot tarmac, all of it to a hubbub of astonishment from the locals.
Is this most unusual book for sale? Er, no. Foxie is not stupid. He doesn’t want to be lynched or sued.
Tailpiece
These are not grey hairs! They’re wisdom highlights!
Last word
Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts. | Jim Morrison