Take Back Settlers Park
www.MyPE.co.za: The
ABYC family have been forced into more hill and dale activities since
the end of the Kangaroo’s school rowing career. The little bugger has
now taken up Cross Country and recently Grey High ran against Queens
College on a course set in Settlers Park. Okay they lost to the speedy
Queens boys. As an aside we had a Queens scholar staying with us and
great was the Kangaroo’s surprise when he asked young Luthando which
soccer team he supported. The reply, “I don’t watch sport!”.
Our brief re-introduction to the beauty of Settlers Park and the dire
warnings of all about criminals fresh in our minds we decided to take
the Chinese Racing Pig (our Bull Terrier, Jenna) for an amble through
Settlers Park this past Sunday in preference to dodging dog poo on the
beach.
We parked at the Chelmsford Avenue entrance and, bugger, no dogs
allowed. Reckoning that the powers that be would look with far greater
favour on us ambling through the park with a vicious land shark (yea
right!) than swinging a shotgun for protection, we pressed on
regardless.
What a pleasant walk it was. Except for the sight of Bluegum trees
silently dying as every single one has been ring barked in order to rid
the park of aliens. And you thought that xenophobia was strictly the
preserve of our mad human race.
We discovered a pleasant climb up towards the St Georges Hospital area
and a number of depressions marked with ‘tombstones’ that read “Cape
Road Section, Trench Number 6″ and so on. Now there is something that
has got me wondering, just what they are there for. I presume that they
were look out points from the Second World War. Anyone have any idea?
On the way back the land shark had a little dip in the ‘Used to be
Mighty Baakens’ and went into ‘Tree God Mode’ every five steps. We
presume that the ‘Tree God Mode’ is a relic from one of her ancestors
having a little bit of an illicit affair with a pointer, as Jenna moves
slowly, with a stiff legged gait and then sticks her tail out straight
when she enters under certain bushes, just like a pointer dog does when
he gets a little bit of Quail smell in his nose. Quite an entertaining
collection of furry friends we have, just don’t get me started on the
animals.
Just as we were on the verge of exiting the park the Land Shark went
into
attack mode looking anxiously behind her every now and then to see if
we were there to back her up. She is nothing but prudent our Land
Shark. The source of her irritation was two youngish gentlemen who
looked a bit like Eminem and Aikon out for a stroll to go and inspect
the progress on their dagga plantation. Of course the Land Shark was
just waiting for the word from me, so I let her get a bit more
frustrated and then gave her the word. With relief in her eyes she
ambled back to us and subjugated herself to the lead once again. We
passed exchanging pleasantries.
What a damn shame that it is most people avoid Settlers Park
like the plague. I reckon that if we just had to get in there and walk
with dogs initially for a little bit of comfort and protection then
Settlers Park will once again become a place that helps soothe the soul.
How about it?
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
Go to:MyPE.co.za
