Yesterday was a very full day indeed. The new occupants of the apartment we were renting, arrived much earlier than expected. By the time we left, there was a a mass of furniture and boxes outside on the patio. They were moving from another apartment in the same complex, and wanted to swap out their own stuff for what was already there. We loaded up our car, and were soon heading out of Umhlanga, away from the beauty of the beach and the Indian Ocean.
It’s a long drive up to Johannesburg, and we expected to be at our daughter’s about 4pm. The roads weren’t too busy, and after stopping for lunch, we were driving through the Free State Province, when we noticed plumes of smoke in the distance.
At the end of a dry winter, the grass is always tinder-dry and veld fires are very common. As we drove towards the smoke, we saw in the distance, many trucks stopped at the side of the road and a traffic cop standing in the middle of the road, waving his arms around. We were told that there had been an accident involving four trucks and several other vehicles, and it would take many hours to clear the road. There was nothing for it but to turn around and drive several kms back to the last junction and take another route down one of the back roads. Why the traffic police couldn’t have had someone there in the first place, to divert the traffic, is a total mystery. We were bombing along this much pot-holed road, quite merrily, when we saw more smoke and vehicles ahead. Once again the road was blocked, and a truck was on fire. There was too much smoke for me to open the window to take this shot, hence the reflection of my arm.
We sat waiting for what seemed like ages, and eventually the road was opened, but from the other direction, and dozens and dozens of trucks came slowly driving through.
After a very long wait, we were once again on our way, and finally were passing the industrial outskirts of Johannesburg, which as you can see, isn’t a very pretty sight.
We battled through the rush hour traffic, and when we arrived at our daughter’s lovely house, the family were all there to greet us, and so was my piano. It was great to see it again. It looked very happy in its new home. It’s very out of tune after the shaking up it must have suffered on the long journey up here, but today the piano tuner is coming.
It’s a most gorgeous spring day here, and the garden is looking so pretty.
I’ve been glued to the TV this morning, watching the judgement in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. I really hope that justice will be seen to be done for Reeva and her family.
ho seguito con interesse questo tuo viaggio disagiato, ed ora che anche tu conosci la sentenza per Pistorius, credo non ne sarai rimasta pienamente contenta come anche non lo sono stata io…non si adopera la giustizia in modo uguale per tutti i cittadini, purtroppo…capita anche da noi in Italia!!
I have been following with interest this inconvenient trip, and now that you know the sentence for Pistorius, I believe you are not fully satisfied as well as remains are not been I … do not use justice equally for all citizens, unfortunately … it happens even in Italy!!1
Thanks so much, Ventis. Yes, unfortunately you are right about justice not always being seen to be done. Hopefully there will be an appeal by the prosecution after the sentencing in October. 😕
I am happy to hear you got to Johannesburg safely. Sylvia, these smokey shots are incredible. Thank God you had enough sense not to open the window 😉
Thanks so much, Paula. Leaving on a jet plane in a few hours. 🙂 xx
Safe flight Sylvia!
Oh what a journey!! Glad you made it and wish I could hear you play! Tell me , what do you think of the OP verdict. I had a hard time imagining how somewhat could have shot such an exquisitely beautiful woman…
Yes it was a very stressful journey, but luckily I wasn’t driving, just giving advice from the passenger seat. 😉 I’m astounded by the Oscar verdict, as are many other people. I’m sure the state will appeal it, after the sentencing. If he serves no jail time at all, it will make such a mockery of our justice system. I feel so sad for Reeva’s family, having to go through all of this.
The only diversions we’ve had here have been bush fires, and it wasn’t badly done, except it was similar to yours, they could have implemented it much sooner down the road. Serious looking accidents, I hope people survived.
I didn’t hear of any fatalities from the accidents. 🙂
I am sorry you had to endure that kind of traffic jam. Being with your family at the end of the day must have been doubly joyful and refreshing. 🙂
Thanks, Imelda. Yes, we’re having a great time with our daughter and family. 🙂
You have a fantastic trip Sylvia, enjoyed the nature, the sea. Awesome!
Thanks so much, DellaAnna. 🙂
What a journey, Sylvia! I think I would have been in tears by the end of the day. Thankfully you made it safely to your daughters house. I don’t believe justice was done for Reeva and her family and I really feel for them 😦
Fortunately hubby is always cool, calm and unflappable. 🙂 I, and everyone else I’ve spoken to here, are horrified that he was not found guilty of murder. 😦
Phew, that was quite a trip – mine is usually negotiating the M25 which is more like a car-park these days than a road 😦 Your daughter’s house looks lovely, which part of Joey does she live in? I spent time in Randburg and Johannesburg North, but it’s not a city I wish to return to. When are you off to Florida?
Thanks, Jude. She lives in Douglasdale which is part of Sandton. Gorgeous area. Oh yes, I remember battling along the M25 on our way from Heathrow airport, and also when visiting family in Dagenham. 😯 Our house in Florida is in West Palm Beach.
Oh, yes, Sandton is nice. We used to go to the Sandton shopping mall quite often and I think our dentist lived in Sandton. Posh place 🙂
Looks like it was quite an eventful journey.
Can you just imagins what an uproar there will be about the Oscar ruling?
Yes it was. The Oscar ruling is so shocking. I just can’t get my head around it. 😦
Oh the journey you are on … whew … and the piano looks very comfortable! … and I imagine you took a seat and moved your fingers for a song or two.
That a way!
Oh yes, I sat down and played for a couple of hours. 🙂 Happy weekend, Frank. 🙂
What a contrast between the dark, smoke-filled photos at the beginning to the light-filled, joyous ones at the end of your daughter’s lovely home and with your beautiful piano safely ensconced, looking perfect in its new home 🙂 The garden too is delightful. You must have been so happy to finally arrive and to be able to breathe in the sweet, fresh air again.
We caught some of the trial on the news last night, will wait to see what the next verdict will be…
Have a lovely weekend Sylvia, we are enjoying a beautiful ‘Indian September Summer’ here 🙂 xx
Yes, it was such a relief to finally reach our destination. I spent a very happy couple of hours playing ‘my’ piano yesterday afternoon. 🙂 Happy weekend to you too. *hugs* 🙂
Ahh…that’s lovely, I’m so happy for you Sylvia and *hugs* right back to you… 🙂 xx
You can never get away from those miserable trucks, one way or the other! Hmmmyes I thought I recognized the piano. Was it easy to find a decent piano tuner?
So true, Marco. The tuner did a great job. 🙂
Oh good – he gets to live another day then – well, sort of.
Looks like you had a wonderful trip and especially reached such a nice destination!
Yes, it was lovely to arrive here. 🙂
What a journey Sylvia. Glad you arrived safely.
Thanks, Sue. 🙂
Who still has a piano at home? Very commendable!
Have a great week-end!
Thanks so much. You too. 🙂
Awful road accident. I think it was probably best to completely block the road. There might be a chance of explosion, from how it looks like.
The house looks “neat”!
Yes, that blazing truck was really a shocking sight. The house is gorgeous. 🙂
Too much rotten luck for all those drivers. Glad you made it safely. Your daughters place is very nice. Enjoy the stay.
Thanks so much, Gemma. I did feel so sorry for all the stranded truck drivers, as unlike us, they didn’t have the option of turning around.
We’re waiting to hear the final verdict here too, Sylvia… It’s great to hear you’re through the smoke and traffic to spend some time with your daughter, and your piano. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa. It’s lovely being here with our daughter, and I had a great time playing piano yesterday afternoon. I’m glued to the TV at the moment, waiting for the Oscar sentence. I’m really shocked at the verdict, as are many people.
People are shocked here as well, Sylvia. Such a sad story.
Glad you arrived safely. Your piano looks right at home, but you must be feeling very unsettled.
Thanks, Carol. Yes, I won’t really feel settled until we’re back in our Florida home.
Happy travels!
Thanks, Lisa. 🙂
glad you made it to your daughter’s place safe and sound! and how nice to see your piano again! 🙂
Thanks, Lola. Yes, it was great to be able to play ‘my’ piano yesterday. 🙂
You almost made me homesick 🙂 Never ever risk driving near a veld fire. Most terrifying experience I ever had.
I note that you say you “almost” feel homesick. 🙂 Yes, veld fires are not to be trifled with.
Not a very nice trip, then, but a wonderful home-coming to the piano and family. There was a power outage after the 11 am court break in my area and I only saw the “not guilty of murder” verdict much later. There’s still a way to go tomorrow and Oscar will still have a sleepless night.
No, it wasn’t a pleasant trip at all, but all’s well that ends well. 🙂 I’m not at all happy with how the judgment went. 😦
Lovely daughter’s home, smoking waves too!!! My surfer past ….sorry. We will be flying in to JoBerg in May 2015! Cannot wait. Safe trip & cheers~
Thanks, Cindy. May is a lovely time to visit Jo’burg. Will you be going to the game parks?
A long trip with a wonderful ‘harbor’! And how nice to see your piano again! 🙂
Thanks, Marina. Yes, it was great to play ‘my’ piano again. 🙂
Reminds me of all the road trips I have made in SA. No matter what, one always seems to wait somewhere. And it is always such a pleasure to reach one’s destination.
So true, Colline. It’s probably the same in every country. 🙂
Quite a journey, but arriving to such a lovely setting must have quickly erased its unpleasantness. Notice of the trial verdict just flashed across my screen. I can only imagine the various responses.
Well, as the saying goes, “It’s not over till the fat lady sings.” Everyone is waiting with baited breath for the final verdict.