I am still taking a bit of a break from my everyday every things. Unfortunately, I do find myself a bit out of sorts, as I am not used to doing very little. You know what they say, if you want something done, ask a busy woman. I am a busy woman and I get things done. A busy woman trying to do not much, that can be a challenge.

I have a new friend. She lives in a little town down the drag, which is even smaller than Botrivier. And Botrivier as you will know from my previous writings, is a very small place indeed. Friend happened to mention that she was about to take some leave, having planned a boat trip up the Namibian Coast with a friend. Unfortunately, she said, I will have to hang around home for a few days before we leave on the trip. Oh, I said, why do you not come and visit me for a couple of days. I can show you Hermanus.

We are fairly recently acquainted, so we have not quite stepped over that line where we share drunken secrets over a bottle of wine. No. Things are still neatly compartmentalized, and we are still putting our best foot forward when we visit. So, what then brought us to the point where we collectively stepped into that abyss where even best friends would hover to go? It started with a walk, a too hot sun, a box of Sinutabs that leaves me feeling drowsy, two very comfortable couches and an innocent question. Want to know the story? Here goes. But wait, first we need to give new friend a “blog name,” because, as you know, I never identify anyone by their real name. Let’s call her Ms. Sparrow, seeing she will be on a boat soon. You know, as in Captain Jack Sparrow, but a female version with more teeth and less tattoos.

This morning, we set out. I have a lot to show you. The morning was almost a bit too cool, but I assured her, the sun will soon burn off the mist. Our first stop was at one of the very scenic lookout spots on the cliff walk. The view never disappoints, and somehow, one ends up walking a little further than you had planned. Next stop, the Hermanus main sea front. Finding parking in that part of town does involve driving around the same two blocks at least three times, so round and round we went, three times, until we found a spot. We looked at all the things tourists would look at. We gawked at an ambulance that was assisting a tourist (poor chap, sounded foreign, and not what one wants when out of your own country) who got himself into a bad spot. We mooched the curio stalls and eventually made our way to the New Harbour, walking out on that long jetty that forms the harbour wall. By then, we were hot and bothered and needed a drink, so off we went and did exactly that.

I have a bit of a sinus infection (self-diagnosed, so it could also be something less serious like a sniffy nose, or more serious like emphysema) and popped a couple of Sinutabs with my juice. The box warned me. This could lead to drowsiness. Who reads the small print anyway. We headed home, via the mall, so friend could get her last few essentials for her trip and headed home. Somewhere along the way, Ms. Sparrow asked me if I even took an afternoon nap? I do, but only occasionally and rather selectively, I said. We got home, had some lunch, and shared a pot of tea, and it is here, where I lost all inhibitions. You asked about a nap?- I ventured.  Our sons play a game with Truffle and Oreo. They whisper their favourite words, like ball, let’s go and meaty treats, to see their reaction. Whoever taught Ms. Sparrow this game did a good job. I was still trying to explain to her that these two couches are very comfy, when she was already stretched out on one. I followed suit, and what followed was a slovenly orgy of drool and snoring. We just skipped all the niceties of discovering common ground on which to build our friendship and went straight for the jugular. Colin, who had been to a meeting came home, and found us like that.

I have a new favourite song. It is actually an old Bob Marley song, called Three Little Birds. The version I am infatuated with, has a slightly more Country tone to it and is sung by Kacey Musgraves. Yesterday morning, I felt a little fragile. I felt like I just needed somebody other than Bob Marley to tell me that Everything is gonna be alright now. I called my brother hoping he would whisper my favourite words. No, not today. I popped in by my Mother. No. No favourite words there either. Funny how life works. I had to lie on my back and snore with a relative stranger, for my favourite words be whispered. And they sound like this:

Don’t worry about a thing, ‘case every little thing is gonna be alright.