Neighbours – the world over
My friend Derek Thomson bides in Carnoustie Lane in the same retirement complex in Howick, KwaZulu Natal as me. Derek and I used to live quite close to each other in Aberdeen – he lived in Richmondhill Road and we stayed at 130 King’s Gate (no 8 bus).
We are both 1930 babies and went to Gordons in or about 1936 and 1938 respectively. We both imigrated to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1954.
My family and I came to South Africa in 1979 and Derek migrated here in 2004. He and I now live about 200 metres away from each other.
The other day while shopping in the local supermarket, a lady who must have heard me speaking enquired where I came from.
When I informed her of my origins she said in the Doric, “Ye jist need tae shak a tree and they aa fa oot”.
Although she had been born in South Africa, it transpired that her father came from Lumphanan. He must have taught her well!
Jim Cormack,
Howick, KwaZulu, Natal