Driving - 29 January

I didn’t sleep well on that sleeper couch. Turns out that only the half designed for sitting is properly cushioned, the other half is a bit harder. And there’s a hard ridge in the center – so I tried to balance on the tolerable half.

I woke up early again. Still fueled on nerves and not much else. I messaged Rose “Are you free?” she replied “I’m free! But I have not yet been served!” referencing a TV show we both thoroughly enjoy: Are you being served?

Saying goodbye to Rose was difficult. I think it helped that my mind is running on empty – coherent thinking has been deteriorating to the point where I have to write everything down. I’ve neither eaten properly nor can I sleep. I’m not really feeling anything, except stress.

I received a message from the owner of my new home, wishing us a safe trip!

The truck left as soon as they had loaded the couch, my driver and I had a last coffee at Rose’s and then we were off as well. We checked the tires, added some oil, checked the water, filled up and drove ….

We didn’t have tools left to change the front door lock – sigh, so they score a Yale lock off me! I considered messaging her an explanation, but decided I don’t care. I just put a single key on the counter and messaged her “I’m out” She tried calling me. My service provider is notoriously bad in cars – it doesn’t ring, only pops up ‘Missed call’ afterwards. She messages “TX you did not put the latch of front door on? So I just get in with normal key” OMG, seriously? Firstly, no, unlike you, I’m NOT stupid! I wouldn’t close the latch so nobody can get in. And secondly – just how in the world do you think I could lock the ‘normal’ lock? Thanks to you, only ONE key exists – you lost the spare keys, remember? And I gave you my keys yesterday! Remember? I replied ‘You have the only key. It is open.’ I saw another missed call from her – I don’t care what she does now. I’ve decided to put the nightmare behind me and move on. I want my deposit back – and I want that soon – but to me, that subject is closed. If she writes any crap, I’ll just reply ‘Whatever’.

And we drove … and drove … all day.

We caught up with the truck and all met up at Craddock where the two drivers had some chicken take away and cold drinks. We stopped across the road from KFC – and there were trees laden with cranes! I counted 8 nests! When I opened the car door, the smell of their droppings was quite strong! I wonder how much chicken goes into the food sold at that KFC?

Initially my driver wanted to stay behind the truck, for safety, but that didn’t last long. He couldn’t take driving half speed for very long, ha ha!

Some time later, the side mirror of my car started to flap! Like it was going to fall out any minute! We stopped at a shop and got some Prestik (it’s a white type of plastic clay) to hold it in place at least till we get to Pretoria.

I had tried calling my boss several times, when we had stopped, but – as usual – he didn’t answer. I messaged asking him “Where do I sleep tonight?” No response. I tried again when we stopped at the shop – three times in a row! No answer. Fortunately he called back while we were still out the car! I’m sleeping at his place, tonight! Sigh. Ah well, it’s just one night.

Rose messaged that she’d been to visit the mips, they are fine and happy to see her. She spent nearly an hour with them. I’m very, very relieved they are not acting up over the separation and all the strange happenings! Not that there would be anything I could do, if they had.

Shortly after Colesburg we hit a road block. Not a problem for us – but what about the truck? What if they insist on checking the load? One person can’t tie the tarpaulin and the netting back, afterwards – and the police won’t care or help! My driver asked very nicely to please let the truck pass, it’s loaded with just furniture, as I’m moving from PE.

We got lucky. When the truck stopped, the driver was waved on with the words ‘Your boss told us about you.’ Phew! That could have been a major issue!

We drove on and on and on.

I messaged the owner and told her the truck will sleep in Bloemfontein and start early, should arrive between 8 and 9, and asking her what time she’d like me to be there tomorrow morning. 7 o’clock. Gosh! That means I’ll HAVE to get up and going at six, to be on the safe side. But okay. She replied that she’s looking forward to meeting me! So am I!

We drove on and on and on.

We stopped around five for a meal. I called Rose to let her know what’s happening, since I doubted I’d have a chance to write, let alone post this blog.

We drove on and on and on.

I took some photos of the night lights of Jo’burg – all blurred, of course. And of those alien e-tolls. It was quite late when we hit Jo’burg, so there wasn’t much traffic – thank goodness!

We arrived at my boss’ place at 22:25!

Just a quick chat, then shower and bed. Shower. Sigh … firstly, both my boss and his wife are quite short. I’m not. Fortunately I wasn’t planning on washing my hair anyway, so I didn’t have to crouch Ha Ha! But then the hot water … it’s not getting warm … I’m letting it run and run and run. It’s one of those mixer handles, and I can’t tell which side to turn it for hot and which side for cold. Eventually I give up and just take a cold shower. Well, it’s not like it’s ice cold.

I’m exhausted beyond belief. I can barely think straight. But I can’t sleep. I get up and go outside for a smoke. Every time I’m opening the sliding door, their dog barks! It’s in their bedroom … sorry, but you wanted to safe the cost of a B&B. The last time I looked at the time it was twenty to two …