Bookclub ran late for the month of June, and we only got together on 1 July. We met up at Tong Lok in Parklands, our second venture there for some of us, to make the most of their Sushi half price Wednesday special.To be honest I went there feeling quite miserable and convinced that the whole world is out to get me. On arrival I was asked if I was joining “Kelly table” – I must have looked confused until somebody else clarified, er, Kerry. Ah, Inge aka Pam, yes, that was the one.
I thought that our reputation had preceded us, as I was led to the back of the restaurant away from the other diners into a private room. How exciting, we had a whole room filled with Chinese porcelain treasures all to ourselves. We could do whatever we liked without the customary dirty looks to which we have become accustomed. Turns out our esteemed chair lady organised the room for us on arrival when she realized where we were sitting. Well done Mel!
Our poor waiter spent the next hour trying to urge us to order something to eat other than our liquid refreshments. How are 9 women supposed to make decisions under circumstances like this? As it is Sandy and Jax did not arrive, causing much consternation as we had all arrived with birthday gifts and clothes to donate to the needy. We must have all looked like we were all leaving home.
Eventually we ordered and received our Sushi starters, a new experience for some. At one stage Jo became so excited her nose started running, she was so embarrassed to be trying to blow her nose in front of everyone, and got up to do so quietly in the corner, as you will see by the relating pic of her leaning over the very expensive Ming vase. Hope she enjoyed her Nigiri snot ball!
As so very often happens the conversation steered all over the place, including our loving children and their very honest observations of our ageing process. (I have been seriously contemplating banning all mirrors in our household for some time now, the only deterrent being how to apply mascara without stabbing yourself in the eye.)
Jayni’s son very kindly pointed out that she is beginning to cultivate something resembling a moustache. As it turns out most of us have secretly been waxing for some time now. This of course led to a debate of whether to wax or shave. I won’t go any further because this could become graphic. I will just say that Jo needs to report back on how it works out with the cookie cutter. Charms, how is it going with Fagena?
We discussed Michael Jackson, Joost and Hansie – pretty much coming to the conclusion that where there is smoke, there’s fire.My foul mood dissipated fast. What with Ke confusing the fish tank with a karaoke machine (no, I have still not figured that one out), Tashie helping me out with the strange looking food on the menu, Jayni’s special beef with lettuce leaf we laughed and laughed, again. I think a book or two were actually mentioned this time too, I’m proud of you girls.
Lastly, the good news is that we have finally planned our weekend away for this year. We are going for an overnight quad biking trip in Grabouw, followed by dinner and some relaxation at the Houw Hoek Inn. I believe that some of the more disgruntled hubbies are worried about our being led astray by errant, muscle-bound tour guides - (we should be so lucky?).
Till next time – love you lots.
