We moved house at the beginning of May, and Him Outdoors,
being the big African explorer (ok, it’s not quite as exciting as that – he
works far, far away, in East Africa) has so far slept the grand total of six
nights in our new abode.
Quite rightly, when our thoughts turned to the annual
holiday – where are we going, and when, it was a natural decision to stay right
here at home. After all, thousands of
international and regional holiday makers choose to visit the Lowveld for their
R and R, so parking off in our own home, day tripping to all the places others
spend hours and plenty moola to reach, is a no-brainer. There is plenty to keep us busy here, and I
confess (because Him Outdoors doesn’t read this) that I did have his job list, primed
for his return, in mind.
And then it began.
I can’t remember who suggested that we invite a few people
to pull in for the holidays. We are
equally expansive at opening up to one and all at Christmas if we happen to
spend it at home, which isn’t very often.
But yes, I did follow through on the inviting.
And then it grew.
First up was a dear pal who I haven’t seen enough of this
year. “You are ours for Christmas” I
chirp. “When can you get here and how
long can you stay?”
Number Two son’s sojourn was unexpectedly (and delightfully)
extended by 3 weeks, with the offer of a vac job at a nearby farm (he’s an
Entomology student, and the opportunity to scout for pests in a variety of
fruit and nut orchards a heaven sent opportunity).
Only one fly in that ointment, he wanted to
spend Christmas with his father in Jozi.
“No problem, invite your dad to join us here.”
A few weeks later, coffee with a Jozi friend. “So sorry to hear that you’ve had a bad year,
we’d love you both to come and spend a few days with us in December.”
With the body count up to seven in our three bedroomed / 2 bath
roomed house, there was no stopping me.
Another city friend, who’s long promised that she and a mate will visit,
and 2014 would be the year, pushed up the stakes.
She commented on Facebook that she, and her
merry gang of jolly Graça buddies (you remember the eating, laughing, dancing,
singing, drinking wine?), will descend on us for New Year.
I’ve been waiting two years for a visit, and there's no backing out
of this. What’s another five
people? A bigger, happier, merrier New
Year, is what!
Except that now we are really out of beds. Plans to establish a corner in the garage and
turf No 2 in there for 10 days are scuppered.
A student in the garage – no problem.
Two jetlagged middle aged men from the UK and three Jozi northern
suburb jet setters joining him in there – not going to happen.
And then the rental house hunt began.
As the options narrowed (who knew our neighbourhood would be
swamped with out of town holiday makers?!) the benefits of networking blossomed
forth.
Men will never get it – they sit in front of the sports
screen, communicate in random grunts and later say they had a great time with
Fred. But what about information seeking
and sharing? What have they
learned? What problems have they solved?
Women are sorted. Explaining
the house hunt over a glass of wine, the solution was offered. “Use my house, we’re away over those dates
and the house is empty.” My ace friend in need, who lives 2 minutes away. That’s five people accommodated in a nearby luxury
house.
Then a mental checklist of seasonal things-to-do caused an
internal flap. Dad. I haven’t allowed for my Dad. He’s coming up over New Year for a few
days. Back to the garage, No 2!
Here’s where small town living, and my angels, come into
their own (again.) A colleague messaged
out of the blue, looking for a house sitter.
For 19 Dec to 5th Jan.
And she lives round the corner.
Number 2, and his father, have digs for a few days. Mission Impossible solved.
And as my mind began to quail under the pressure of menus,
shopping lists, cooking and taking care of so many, another neighbourly angel
explained her method of catering for large groups of visitors – she farms out
dinners to one and all. Combine that
with the brilliant technique some genius friends used to cope with a large
party of guests spread over two lodges recently, and Bob’s your uncle, we have
lift off.
Our lengthy guest list thus received a warm and welcoming
email, detailing all the lovely activities which are available to them, using
our house as a base.
Explaining that all
are responsible for their own breakfasts in the house they lodge in, lunches
will be pot luck goodies tossed onto the table by whoever is around on the day,
and everyone is assigned a night for which they are responsible to provide
dinner for the group, and we’ll alternate houses each evening to share the
mess.
Brilliant, though I say it myself. And judging by the
enthusiastic response, it appears the Sergeant Major has hit upon a winner – recipe
books are being dusted off, shopping lists drawn up and everyone is delighted
to have the planning done and their orders issued - it’s become part of their
holiday festivities! It’s a funny old world.
With the first arrivals on the horizon, this is likely to be
it from me until the New Year. Wherever
you are, whatever this time of year means to you and however you spend it, may
the coming days give you some breathing space for a little inner thought and
reflection, a chance to be close to and spend time with family, friends and
loved ones and the opportunity to count your many blessings and look forward to
new adventures and experiences in 2015.
God bless.
