Author: H0K
On patrol in Henley with the CPF green light brigade
There was a full moon over Henley that night, shadowed, streaked, blotched and, at one point, glowing like a bullseye in a halo of luminous cloud. It was very quiet. The dark was broken now and then by squares of golden light behind curtains, or bright white light from wall lanterns or the big round balls Henleyites seem to love so much. Our headlights picked up a hare crouched in the long grass, a bigRead More
Making Easter egg-citing
March 1 2018 I’m busy cutting out egg shapes. It is surprisingly difficult to find an egg template. Everything in my kitchen is round… Last year we arrived in Henley too late to take part in the annual Christmas décor drive and it took us completely by surprise. Suddenly the village bloomed into Christmas colours – red, green, gold and white – sprouting candy canes at every street corner. Amazed, delighted and amused we touredRead More
Gardening with weeds and ‘blomme’
The man wants to get a baby tractor. He mentioned a baby fire engine too, but that’s a want, not a need. When I look out over our backyard a baby tractor is entirely reasonable. I remember once – stuck in a flat in Joburg – longing to look out over green fields in the morning. Now I have my own, at least half a soccer field. I gather the green comes from a wonderfullyRead More
Touching the past at Henley’s museum
It’s a salutary sign of age when you visit a museum and spot items on display that could have come from your grandmother’s kitchen. In the little museum next to the Henley on Klip Library I saw one of those mincers that looks like a tuba with a handle. Once upon a time, my brother and I took turns to swing it and watch the mince twine out like a sausage. I took my firstRead More
A friendly wave and a helping hand
As you enter Henley on Klip, a sign welcomes you; further signs inform you that here we care for our residents, our children, our environment and our animals. It’s a nice touch, especially as it seems to be true. Well, in any community there are some who do not abide by the rules, but generally in our experience it’s true. Henley people wave! Such a little thing, but I am still astounded every time. CarsRead More
Taking around the tourists
January 2018 I’m beginning to feel like a tour guide! We have had parties of friends out from Joburg each weekend curious to see our new haunts. They tend to roll home replete after being introduced to some of the goodies and venues on offer. Naturally they have also marvelled at the quiet streets and beautiful gardens, even as they melted from the heat, but then it is even worse when the sun is trappedRead More
Christmas in Henley, exploring
Christmas in Henley 2017 – quiet and peaceful. Alas, we didn’t put out a candy cane. I would have if I had known, but I dumped all our tatty tinsel when we moved. How do you get to know? No idea. I’m obviously not yet tuned into the underground radio. Christmas church services were also a bit of a best-kept secret. I consulted the Internet which wasn’t helpful, but we took a chance and foundRead More
Holiday in Henley
By Jaylin de Klerk, Hoopoe Junior Okay well, not really a holiday. Turns out we’re living here now. Me, mum, dad, two dogs, two cats, and two rats. Pet rats, not the vermin kind. Although my two little girls have definitely got a knack for adding not-so-fashionable holes in anything within the reach of their little pink paws. When dad told mom who told me that he’s thinking of moving so far, far away, IRead More
A rainbow over Henley
December 12 2017 There was a rainbow over Henley yesterday. We saw it over the trees at Fraser Park, a curve of colours disappearing in the low clouds which massed in heaps and streaks, both dark and light. And then it began to rain – again. We were on a trip of discovery, starting when I told the Man I couldn’t find the Sasol garage in Meyerton. Yes, all right, that’s dumb, but I couldn’t.Read More
What on Earth is that tree?
When we moved in, our new home in Henley on Klip had a few green trees, five charred and dead ones and several stumps. Lightning, our neighbours explained. Crumbs! They also had a couple of skeletons. The doves loved them. We watched while a whole flock, 20 or more, perched on the dead branches like so many fluffy pine cones. In a conference over the front gate and the ancient rustic wall that divided ourRead More