Our Big Days Out

Saturday was the monthly craft fair at a local park, we go along whenever we can. It is a great source of home baking, arty-farty things and plants, etc. I always buy a load of second hand books, too, as they are in good condition and it’s for charity. This time round I bought a Douglas Kennedy and a Paulo Coelho for R10 each. The third was a US detective thing, can’t remember the title. The exchange rate is currently about R16 to the £, so it is never an expensive afternoon!

On Sunday we had a grand day out. We went to the Rand Show, which is a bit like Ideal Home without the house sets or Highland Show with nae coos. So you get the picture. We got there at 11.30am and it was hot and sunny, so we went along sans sleeves. However, at 2.00pm, the heavens opened in a spectacularly South African way and we were invited to take shelter under a hot-dog awning.! Then we went into the “Tourism and Culture” hall and what a laugh we had! They had people from each of the South African provinces dressed in national costume and performing a traditional dance. Then they asked for volunteers from the audience to go up and learn the dances, then perform until a winner was selected. And no, before you ask, I didn’t volunteer! Anyway, it was a hoot! I might have said before that a big backside here is a sign of wealth and is thought sexy. The dances show this off, lots of gigantic erses waggling to whoops and “ululation” (high pitched “lululu” screeching sounds). We visited all the stalls and picked up the usual brochures and also a nice bag, two sun visor caps and a tee shirt! We got some good ideas for future day and weekend trips.
The main event of the day was a concert by the Soweto Gospel Choir, home for a rest after a European Tour. It was absolutely fantastic to hear them on their home ground. (The Soweto Highway runs just above the showground. Dave and Jen, you’ll know where I mean if I tell you it is between Gold Reef City and that big Bagarawanth hospital on the outskirts of Soweto). They had a huge following of family and friends there to see them, all singing along, absolutely everyone (except us) knew the words to all their songs. What an experience! We stayed until almost 7.00pm Mind you, we were freezing by the time we got into the car. I think that’s the first time we’ve driven it with the AC off and the heater on