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

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

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 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

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

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

Early November 2017 Remember, remember the fifth of November … not that anyone really remembers. In the Big City it’s simply fireworks night, an excuse for big bangs. Our (old) suburb must have been exploding. Thank goodness, we were here, settling into our new home in Henley. I was wakened at 4am by the local rooster. At first, I thought he’d missed his calling – up until now he’s been the 3am cock. The ManRead More

End October 2017 It’s happening. We’ve landed in Henley. Actually, I’m not quite sure where we’ve landed. Do I go by stand number or street number? Which one do I put on the gate if I want my Joburg deliveries to find me? It’s very confusing. I’m only glad we didn’t buy on The Avenue/The Drive. We’re still trying to figure that one out. No matter. It was a joy to sit on our newRead More