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So we left our intrepid explorers knee deep in bin bags on the back lawn ready to flag down the next vehicle that entered the property and beg a ride to the plastics store........................................
As soon as I had finished that post Terry came home with one of her work mates and a truck full of planks to build shelves and rails in the laundry room. No need for plastic boxes.
Within an hour the room was empty and the building commenced. By dinner time the shelves were built and Naomi and I took charge of filling them. Although we had sorted the clothes into Men/Women/Children it hadn't gone any further so starting with the ladies clothes we began to sort and fold and stack on the shelves. It was hard, back breaking work but by the end of the evening we had sorted the ladies. We decided to push the rest back in as they were and go to bed!
The next day, Wednesday, was a real highlight for me. Following the Sustainable Living Expo where we sold some of the beadwork made by the residents of Thornhill Old Age home we went to the home for a farewell party for the volunteer from Angels who had worked with them. Cake, nibbles and pop followed by a sing song.
After the food/drink Pat suggested a sing song. All the nurses and the residents who were involved sang Akekho Ofana No Iesu - no instruments, just voices. Those who were able stood and swayed/danced and the harmonies were amazing.
The rest of the day was spent in the laundry. It was so satisfying to know that what we had done would make life easier for Pat and make it easier for her to raise funds for Angels.
Thursday was our last visit to the Wentworth Hospital. The ward was full. Again the mums were so grateful for everything they were given and so happy for us to pray with them. Then off to the children's ward. There were two little boys still playing with the toys that they were given on our previous visit.
On Friday there was a special breakfast for the Angels volunteers. Several of the volunteers were trainee social workers who had come to the end of their placement. Judy kindly hosted us and we had an amazing meal - bacon, sausage, eggs, chips, muffins - and an urn for unending cups of tea!
After breakfast we went to visit Jenny to care for her babies. Ronaldo was full of charm and giggles - I think he thinks Naomi's name is "No tickle tickle!" Pat was collecting Ruthie to go back to her mum for the weekend as usual but Jenny had a new baby in her family - tiny preemie Jethro who had been abandoned in the hospital by his mother. He was probably the smallest baby I have ever nursed. Naomi and I were very good and shared his cuddles without any argument - it helped that we had Ronaldo to cuddle as well. I love that boy! I pray that he and his forever family will find each other soon.
In the evening we went to the Pavillion - a massive mall - and had dinner with the family. As usual, Yama was incredibly quiet and simply sat and ate her dinner. Reece and Naomi teased us with riddles and lateral thinking puzzles.
On Saturday Venni picked us up early in the morning to visit Chatsworth, the Indian area of the town. She wanted us to see the market and to visit the mall there. The market was incredible - the sights and sounds and smells - huge pyramids of tomatoes and oranges and apples, cages of live chickens and ducks, bowl after bowl of chillies, dishes of spice and delicious samosas!
Walking through the market I heard voice shout "Fiona!" It was the lady I had met at the Expo - she had lived in Durban all her life but had never visited the market until that day and we were in the same place at the same time!
After the market was the mall - Venni and I have a similar love of a bargain and she took us to her favourite shop where we both thought we spent far too much money but when we converted it into sterling we had spent the princely sum of £ 60!
In the afternoon Pat had a surprise for us - a magical mystery tour! We went to Ushaka to the aquarium. We had the place to ourselves. It was so peaceful. I could have sat and watched the different tanks for hours.
Sunday of course was our last day. The leader of the church called us out to pray with us before we left and they sang a Zulu song especially for us. Sunday school was fun and we gave all the children a stick of Welsh rock (and made sure the teachers had some too!)
Then to the airport where we discovered we had made a mistake with our flight times - yes we were there two hours early! My dad would have been proud of us!
A tearful farewell to the family and we were out of Africa!
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