A Kleinbaai Collection
17 November 2012
I was going through some old
photos on the computer and I came across this little pocket of pics. A magic collection of memories captured
forever more. And just like that I was
transported back to this time again – June 2006. A Kleinbaai holiday. One of many.
The whole family goes down to Kleinbaai, collectively a few times a
year. Roughly for a portion of most
school holidays, and thus we get to experience Kleinbaai in all of her
outfits. In summer time she is glorious,
and we all sit on the stoep and on the front terraced lawn – watching the
waves, braaing, enjoying sunrises and sunsets, slops, t-shirts, walks on the
beach, trips to the caves, exploring rock pools, even a bit of swimming for
those brave enough. Easter holidays are
fabulous, as winter is approaching. Days
are getting shorter and there is always a chill in the air. In the September holidays, she shows the
promise of spring and summer just around the corner. But on this particular holiday, Kleinbaai was
wearing her winter warms. When the
kaggelvuur burns twenty four seven. The
boys all carry firewood to the fire all of the time. Huge big logs burn right through the
night. We all huddle together inside the
home – playing games and doing little projects.
Stories are told, people read books and magazines, cooking is king,
eating even more so. Walks along the
beach involve layers of clothes, scarves, jackets, beanies and even
gloves. Followed shortly thereafter by
hot cups of coffee or tea and hot chocolate too.
During this particular holiday
there was a continuous ebb and flow of people.
It’s actually the case with most holidays. People come when work allows them too and
when they don’t have other commitments.
Maggie is the project queen – orchestrator of all. In fact, she is like a big project manager,
and guides us all. Not bossy about it in
the least, just like a big mother hen if you like. Everyone runs everything past her first. She’s mother to all and friend to even more. This is a role that was thrust onto her and
not a self-chosen one, yet she does it all so exceptionally well.
And this holiday was a holiday
filled with many activities. My little
sausages were all still quite small.
Luke was just eight, Amber was four and Colekie-Molekie had just turned
two. Just wee little kids. At that age, everything is an adventure. And Kleinbaai is just the best place in the
whole big world for all of us. Maggie
brought her whole large and very extensive bead collection and everyone made
bracelets and necklaces. My kids made me
many treasures, that I still have to this day.
The kids played Monopoly and Cluedo – an old favourite. There were walks on the beach. A giant big felt board and felt scraps galore
– the kids all cut little bits and made dress up dolls with clothes, cars and
garden scenes too. But the main focus of
this particular holiday was…..wait for it…..wait for it…..KNITTING!!! I know, who would have guessed. Maggie brought all of her wool and loads of
knitting needles. Yet we made frequent
trips to the wool shop in the little town of Gansbaai, to replenish supplies.
Every single person knitted,
except for the men. All of the
grandchildren and cousins. Siblings,
mothers, grandmothers, aunts too. And
what fun we had. The order of the day
was scarves, what with the cold weather.
Also it is a quick and relatively quick project to complete. Thank heavens for help from the older
generation, as they are all pro’s at the whole knitting thing. Because amongst all of the kids, and I count
myself in that category too, it was all dropped stitches, and accidently
gaining stitches too. Maggie never
knitted her own creation, instead she was teacher to all – fixing many a
mistake. The knitting styles were all so
unique. Stripes were popular and fluffy
wools as well. Attie’s knitting was so
tight, watching him knit was quite a rare treat. Each stitch that he got on his needle, put on
with force. A testament to his
perseverance, because he never gave up.
Alex on the other hand was so funny to watch. She lay about knitting, virtually melting
into a chair and every few minutes her little voice would pipe up. “Uh,
Maggie. I’ve got a bit of a problem. I think I started with 20 stitches and I now
only have 13”. And then shortly after
Maggie came to the rescue, to find the lost stitches, you’d hear her again “Uh,
Maggie. I don’t understand. I used to have 20 stiches and now I’ve got
23”. Our darling dear Cory, who was
about 11 at the time, was knitting a fluffy red masterpiece. And on one day, Robin indulged in a bit of
fishing – one of his all-time favourite pastimes. And eagerly hoping his boy would like to join
him and try his hand at fishing too, he invited young Cory along. Cory eagerly accepted of course, but instead
of sporting a fishing rod on the rocks, he sat next to his dad, knitting up a
storm. Robin said that he got the
funniest looks of deep sympathy from fellow father fishermen, shaking their
heads.
This was also during the time
that Robin and Katrine were desperate to have their very own baby. I believe they had been having auditions for
quite a while. So, while we were there,
Katrine whispered in my ear. And on the
pretext of going into town to get food supplies, we snuck off to the pharmacy
instead. We walked boldly up to the
counter, and asked the pharmacist for a positive pregnancy test please. Holding thumbs that this would be the one and
that they would indeed be pregnant. We
were giggling like kids all uber excited.
And when we got back to Kleinbaai once more, Katrine dealt with the
nitty gritty and we waited for what felt like the longest five minutes. And after it all? We got a little stripe. Celebrating our good fortune in buying a
positive pregnancy test. Such joy all
around. Hugs and kisses and tears of
joy. Phone calls and sharing of the news
to all.
And shortly after finding out
that Katrine was indeed with child, it was time for the Aulds to pack up and
head back on home. So, as is the norm
and tradition of Kleinbaai, all gathered around the car and shared fond
farewells. Then walked down with them to
the road while some stayed on the stoep and waved goodbye. And for no particular reason, two year old
little Cole had a complete meltdown when they drove off into the sunset so to
speak. He screamed and cried, calling
for Katrine and even dramatically running after the car. So peculiar.
And a short while later, putting a little theory to the test when I
quickly had to head off to town again, he couldn’t care less, that I left him
behind. It was very, very funny.
So, I leave you with these. A few magical pics of yet another awesome
Kleinbaai holiday. It is the home of my
heart and the place where my soul knows the most peace. And though it is the wonder of Kleinbaai
itself that helps to make it so great, I also know this – Kleinbaai without my
family is just not Kleinbaai at all.
The lovely Kati Auld, just a teenager then, in a very familiar pose - engrossed in a book
Katrine knitting her colourful creation - a beautiful scarf - what a surprise
Cutie Katarina - such a sweetie little gal - my very favourite bonus sister in the whole wide world
Alex and Katarina - the bestest of buds
Luke doing some French knitting and Cory with his red fluffy scarf - still in mid creation
Kati succumbs to a wee little nap
Tiny little Cole about to roast a marshmallow in the kaggelvuur
My most beautiful Ouma Helene working on her putie
Oupa and Ouma were sitting on the stoep, and then they decided to go for a little walk
Ag jinne! They're just so cute. And always accompanied by the ever faithful Buddie and Jessie.
The view from the stoep - this just makes my heart melt
Rock pools at low tide - perfect for exploring
View to the left, also taken from the stoep
Mom and Amber going for a walk
Daya with his boy, Cole
Katrine and Amber, with Robin looking on
Robin with his lovely eldest sprog, Kati
Stoep kuiering
Sticky boy Cole, devouring a lollipop
Katarina and Amber painting rocks - a favourite pastime
Beautiful Elaine - the fad at the time was Mxit
Foefie looking ever so dashing
The knitting has begun - Buddie modeling Alex's scarf if memory serves
Buddie sporting a purple ensemble
Even Ouma Helene was busy - but for her it was crochet work
Alex knitting away - a natural she was not
Mom busy fixing and ending off the teeny tiny baby little scarf I knitted for Amber's doll/baby - Bella
One of my favourite pics - Alex's face just says it all
It was like a production line - in the back is Charmaine and Elaine and in the front is Oupa, me, Luke and Jaco
Luke and I
Crazy Katrine - a self portrait
Elaine, Jaco and Attie
So sweet. And now Elaine and Jaco are both at varsity and Attie is head boy at Durbanville High next year.
Concentration and complete absorption
A cracking game of Monopoly
And just for fun, a bit of beading too
Ouma Helene joining the fray
Jaco was a natural at the knitting thing
Jaco amazingly had the ability to make knitting look way cool!
Katrine showing off the postive looking pregnancy test we had just bought
Uber excited!!!
Cooky Katrine showing off the test - never looked forward to a test this much
We sat in the car outside the pharmacy and took like a million pics - we're a bunch of weirdo's
Celebrating already and we haven't even taken the test yet!
Katrine practicing holding a baby with the flowers we bought for Mom
Yip, we're still taking pics in the car
Back at Kleinbaai again, and everyone is relaxing, completely unaware that Katrine is busy cooking up a pregnancy test in the bathroom
The impressive wool collection
The kids having a TV time-out
We're pregnang! Just look at those faces! Katrine on the phone, sharing the news
Such happiness!
Yet more calls - telling all
Ouma knitting with a view
Robin and Katrine, about to leave - absolutely glowing with joy
Robin visibly showing his pride - something to do with "strong like bull" and "hung like horse" I'm sure
My sweet boy, Luke
The cutest little gal in the whole wide world - for sure
They've left!!! Moenkie having a meltdown, sobbing for Katrine - he even ran after the car, screaming blue murder
Daya to the rescue to distract poor Cole
Mom and her Berry-Belle
Oupa en Ouma sit op die stoep - well sort of
A celebratory drink of champagne in honour of tiny baby Honey, who is still but a bean in Katrine's belly
Chocolate solves most problems
But sometimes it creates some
Anyone for a kiss? Cole with the evidence
Daya - the only one brave enough to go in for a cuddle
Felt fun
Our beautiful Charming
View of Kleinbaai from the rocks
Luke rock hopping
Heart meltingly cute!
Mom and Charmaine having a chat at the sea
Low tide rock pools - the absolute best
The cuteness
Cuddling with the littlies
Aaahhh!
My three favourite kids
Doing Blue Steel with Alex
Big gal time with Charmaine and Mom
Fabulous pics of a fabulous holiday
xxx
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ReplyDeleteLOVE it!
ReplyDeleteThe best place in the whole world - such lucky fishes we are to have so many memories and holidays at Kleinbaai. Miss it so very much being so far way!! Sniff!
ReplyDelete