The Crazy Life of a Cape Town Mother and Wife: The Friday Roundup...

TGIF!! Happy days are here again. We rolled out the red carpet as our dishwasher was returned home, and look forward to doing our usual once a day load of soon to be sparkling dishes. Honestly, I was just about to resort to our old tried and trusted camping trick of washing them with sand to save water, but the new generation of Suzy Q's wouldn't hear a word of it. Thanks to all of you who even offered to come lend a hand with the dishes, not sure if it was the lure of Mr SQ's fine cuisine or the picture of the push-up bra which elicited such offers, but don't worry, it's safe to come visit again without having to don sudsy rubber gloves.

We have just had our winter solstice, and the Cape Town weather seems to have been colder than usual, we all agree. Or is it just that we forget each year? Even the pool water has been below 12' which is colder than I can recall. I made a few sorties to the gym on really wet days, trying to forget the horror of last year's invasion from members of a nearby gym whilst their's was being renovated. Instead of behaving like gracious guests, they took over and displayed some remarkably bad collective manners. This is not only my opinion, by the way, but was noted by all my Pilates pals, and we are a force to be reckoned with!

There is a simple rule of etiquette at the gym, whereby anybody wishing to share a lane with a swimmer makes some form of contact and informs the swimmer that there will be another person in the lane. Not so the crowds of late. Many's the time I was head butted by a new swimmer of whom I was totally unaware, and once, whilst getting rope burns from swimming so close to the edge as a considerate swimmer, an incredibly ugly hulk of a guy brushed my arm and then stopped to swear the "F" word at me. Poor old shrinking, sensitive Suzy Q beat a hasty retreat from the stressful scenario which did more to raise her blood pressure than lower it. Hence I brave the chilly pool at home to do my laps, looking up at the mountain and sky rather than having to tolerate such ignorant behaviour. It's obviously not as good as doing lengths in the gym, but the peace and privacy and sheer enjoyment are preferable to being berated by a buffoon.

However, my pals tell me that peace has been restored and the pool at the gym is still good for a rainy day swim. I went a few times and started feeling really fit and virtuous, until I bumped into a woman, nay a walrus, who gave me an aquatic lecture on sharing when I had been swimming happily in my own lane unaware that she had taken it upon herself to hijack it. Your little peace loving mouse actually roared that day, but still left the pool, as who would want to continue such an enjoyable form of exercise with a sea cow in such close proximity?

Aah, that 27' water was too warm for me anyway, and in my absence the local Egyptian Geese have started swimming in our pool. Time to reclaim my own space before they have goslings and declare it a public avian latrine, so back to brrrr. Not to mention, there's a little devil in me wants to do a weekend midwinter swim in the tidal pool. Anyone want to join us there at high tide tomorrow as Mr SQ seems to think there is some important rugby to watch. You have NO idea what you'll be missing!