Last day on the road. I did first shift as navigator up front with Dion. I learnt a little bit of South African history as we passed through the Free State. This province is where the Boers set up camp separate from the British. Signage everywhere in Afrikaans. In a roadside shop, I was spoken to in Afrikaans (I presume, I certainly couldn’t understand it), which then switched to English when met by a bewildered expression. I investigated South African chip brands (the sub-study of my fellowship) and so far on the expedition, Simba is still winning. It won several years ago, but the 2006 study wasn’t as comprehensive. I am adamant the Simba success has nothing to do with the little lion picture on the pack.
An easy drive back to Grahamstown as it was all mainly along the one road. I slept for a few hours. As we neared home, a jolly mood abounded. The Ubomies have a holiday break for 10 days starting tomorrow.
Romeo and Juliet (Thami and Sisonke) ready for holidays.
Arriving back at Rhodes, we unloaded the cumbersome sets into the theatre dock and returned the props to ‘the space’ – the storage area specifically for Ubom’s props and paraphernalia. I was dropped home to discover minor catastrophe. Pi the wiemeraner had been hit by a car and was off to the vet. He’d jumped the fence and run out on to the road. Janet had heard the cafuffle and run outside to see the traumatized woman who had hit him on the side of the road, holding her young baby (as in the woman’s baby, not Pi) in her arms and weeping. Small town: she looked up and said “Oh Janet, I’m so sorry, I’ve hit your dog!” Janet comforted her and processed the blood everywhere, seeing Pi battered and grazed and shakey and scared, but okay. He returned from the vet with two stitches on his neck, and a couple on his leg, and a big open graze on his head. Once the dopey drugs wore off, he was still as dorky and dopey as he always was.
Pi's scar on his head
An exciting discovery was the pile of dvds I found by my bed. Janet has been through the Ubom archives and brought home more than half a dozen dvds of the company’s past poetry shows for me to watch and to inspire me for my own poetry show idea. Some holiday viewing! Once I’ve finished this lot I’ll move on to the other past shows. On tour, I watched a video of a stage mask performance and it inspired me to write my first ever mask show. It will probably never face the world, but it was a joyous state of inspiration to be in for a few days. So after this next indulgence in viewing, I will hopefully head home with drama-tically increased creative output. Whether it is worthy creative output remains to be seen.
A delicious evening dinner at Haricots bistro. The third time they have successfully served my veganism. I had a super tasty vege curry served with their exceptional chilli sauce.
Good Friday tomorrow. Janet and Andrew’s eldest son, Matthew is visiting with his wife Bridget and their daughters Isabelle and Stella. A braai is planned, and cupcake-making with the grandchildren. On Saturday we head to East London for three days over Easter. Time to absorb as much as possible….food, wine and chocolate, save the knowledge for next week.
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