Ode To Charity Shop Worker

I don’t learn from mistakes quickly. In London I wouldn’t carry an umbrella if it wasn’t raining when I left the house. In 4 months I had to buy 17— without one it would look like I swam to work. I’d get to Colliers Wood Station at around 8 AM most mornings, step on to the high street and see gray clouds peering through the first traces of morning light. Minutes later it would be hissing buckets. The lovely Asian lady at the charity shop came to know me well. I’d step inside soaking wet and she’d bust out in chorus, “Herro again! Yooo forget umbrerra— erra erra erra! You sing too, forgetful boy!”

The weather today reminds me a lot of England. It’s expected to pour for most of the morning, with the odd thunder storm and some strong offshore winds. The barometer has dropped quite low, indicating kaka weather till further notice. I had a look at the waves before the fog moved in. Fence has potential to turn on this afternoon when the tide pulls in. Not a reason to fake a case of the jets and ditch school or work, but it looks like it could be fun (2ft or so).

The South African Surfing Team leaves for Portugal today, where they’ll compete in the ISA World Surfing Games (October 11-19). In the Open Men’s division Ryan Payne (from St Francis Bay) was selected as touring captain of the side. Pamela Bowren (also from EP) will be competing in the women’s bodyboarding division. Excellent stuff. If you fancy watching, the Games will be broadcast live over the net via http://www.isasurf.org/.



The SA Team looks like this

Men
Ryan Payne (capt) (Eastern Province)
Devyn Mattheys (Border)
Matthew Kruger (KZN)
Klee Strachan (Southern KZN)

Women
Tarryn Chudleigh (Western Province)
Chantelle Rautenbach (Boland)

Longboard
Matthew Moir (Western Province)

Men’s Bodyboard
Sacha Specker (Western Province)
David Lee (Central KZN)

Women’s Bodyboard
Pamela Bowren (Eastern Province)

Managers
Niezaam Jappie
Mike Sheppard

Coach
Kevin Olsen

There are also a handful of South Africans competing in the Ocean and Earth Ocean & Earth Pro (La Caja de Canarias). You can check the live feed on http://www.aspeurope.com/live/.

Anyhow, I wonder who that special woman is selling an umbrella to these days?