Parktown and Pretoria

Saturday 5^th. Honey muesli breakfast and Colin arrived at 9.45 to lead us to Parktown. He thanked me for the mosaic and gave us written instructions and keys for the 2 properties. Marius the young organist was there and thank God he was as the Rieger has a continental stop setup and he set up the stops on a programme for me. He changed stops and turned which was great. It went reasonably well but I could have done with hours more time to get ready. It was nice that people came including Mike Matthews and Doosy and his wife. . Colin introduced it and Paul Devaux came with him. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it.

Heather and Fred then came back to the club for pizza and coke. The place was full of Springbok rugby supporters. I spoke to Ronnie Jones and insisted on Pretoria tomorrow which is good as there is no food here on Sundays! Ronnie Gill provided a better route avoiding Yeoville! Another glorious sunny day.

Had a first look at the CD of the 63 leavers – it is full of fascinating detail. Much better than a book as there are lots of photos. George told me the lunch for the rugby fans had been a disaster as 2 coachloads of 100 had turned up and some got no food and others had refunds. He should have offered a simple menu and the kitchen was overwhelmed.

We drove via Orange Grove and Sylvia Pass to Burima. This is a new suburb beyond Cyrildene. Ronnie and Jennie Gill have a beautiful home with water fountains and lovely pictures. We enjoyed reminiscing and Ronnie told us about the organ he built for their church. He played at St Mary’s cathedral for 12 years and described how Sidney ferries people to organ recitals by coach! We met his in-laws and 2 sons and had a lovely meal in an open outdoors area. We saw his fantastic train layout and the carol presentations and 2 carols he wrote. It was a delightful evening. We did get a bit confused coming back ending up near Ellis Park stadium! Bed at 11.

Sunday very loud singing from Berea Methodist across the road! We had our sandwiches – there are no staff on duty on Sundays so these were put in the fridge for us. We set off and took wrong turns so had to come back to base to start again and one we had done that we were on our way to Pretoria on the new highway. We reached St Alban’s cathedral around 11 a.m. The service had been going since 9.30 and finished at 12! This was the Anglican church in its highest and most dramatic form with censer going in a full circle, loads of servers in green tabards moving in unison, bells rung furiously during Amen Siyakadumisa at the end of the Eucharistic prayer. Communion itself took forever with 2 choir items “Fairest Lord Jesus” and “For the beauty of the earth” to the David Evans tune. Give thanks with a grateful heart seemed so right “And now let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich”. Here was a well dressed Black congregation indeed. The kids were cute on their return for a blessing. At the end visitors were asked to stand and be applauded! I met Ronnie Jones and played some Andrew Moore until some lady came and said the confirmation group had to practise their song which we do not think actually happened! We followed Ronnie to Café 41 for scone and coffee and a good short chat. I gave him a mosaic. We mostly talked about RSCM. He has been organist of the cathedral for 42 years and has had no recognition. There have been problems with the bishop and the Dean and they have a new Dean. We then went to the National Zoo and went round on a golf buggy which was great. White tiger, leopard, sable and many different antelopes, addax, oryx, African elephants. Then to the wonderful Union Buildings gardens and back to Café 41 to eat and back by 6.45 when it was dark. A glorious sunny day again. My right ankle is sore probably from the angle of the buggy pedal! Watched some TV which is pretty poor. Here there is a choice of 5 channels one of which has no sound. One gospel programme was hosted by a politician type lady ending with the audience doing a conga type dance. Songs of Praise was never like this! Slept 2 hours early evening.