There was a time when Vernoeg was Vergenoeg, but names get mangled, abbreviated and misspelt. Although very old maps may show the settlement of Vergenoeg the town is now officially Vernoeg or Vernoog.
The Ostriches
Four close friends pose for the camera above. Left to right: Jan Frederick, Johana Maria, Klaas and Augusta Jacoba. They were the only ostriches in their year at the Vernoeg primary school. Jan Frederik, always dapper with a soft hat or cap, Johana Maria likes a scarf on her head, Klaas is usually in practical denims, and Augusta Jacoba likes here headgear to make a statement.
Augusta Jacoba — Married once but no more. Accountant. Forty years at the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market. Back in Vernoeg now, in her aunt’s house, with her flower crown and her opinions and a chalkboard that reads like a manifesto. Pours decisively. Assumes she owns Charlie dog and Winnie dog.
Johanna Maria — Augusta’s sister. Widow. She has always lived in Vernoeg, in the family home across the street from Celia. Warm, settled, knows everything about everyone without making a point of it. Shares her space with Themba dog, Biscuit dog, Cleo cat, George meerkat and Mildred dassie.
Klaas —Widowed. He has a farmer daughter, and her husband from the city, who farm the main farm next to the river. Klaas’s son, Klassie, didn’t want to farm. He is a forester and is based at Saasveld in George. Klaas is the practical fixer. His approach to life: “Let’s see what’s actually broken before we redesign the whole thing.”
Jan Frederik — Bachelor. The educator and voice of reason. Became a teacher and school principal in the area. Cares deeply about young boys growing up without positive role models. Someone who believes things work better when done properly.
They are all of an age where they know that life is complicated and everyone needs a little bit of tolerance and space – with the occasional hug or slap on the back. They love to get together to discuss the world, South Africa, and the people of Vernoeg. Not meanly or spitefully, but in a caring way. Now that they are seniors they have the time to travel and see new places and learn new things.
Our ostrich friends are adaptable and sometimes you will see them fully clothed and other times feathered. Their rear bustle is also removable.
The Animals
There is a miscellany of animals around our friends. They are like the dogs of my childhood – before all properties were fenced or walled and a dog needed to be kept on a leash. They visit, and keep company with, whoever needs them, or is at home, or has a few morsels or treat to spare. The latter applies especially to the ever-hungry Winnie. At the end of town where the tar road ends, where Augusta Jacoba, Johana Maria, Celia and Nell live, the animals are free to roam at will.
Charlie — Charles is Augusta Jacoba’s large black Great-Dane/Labrador/Rottweiler mix. A gravitational presence. A tolerant butler.
Winnie — Darwin on her papers. Augusta Jacoba’s beagle. Independent. Lives to sniff new smells and eat. No full switch. Sometimes guards Charlie, sometime bullies him. Always seeks his warmth and comfort.
Themba — Mixed, brown, middle sized body but a big heart. Came from somewhere and stayed with Johana when she realised she was wanted. Lives with hope and love.
Biscuit— Johana’s small golden brown terrier mix. Quietly there. Misses nothing. Has temporarily moved in with Celia. Named by Maggie from across the road, who said he was biscuit coloured. Always ready to take anybody for a walk.
Cleo — Johana’s calico cat. Walked in one day and stayed. Entirely self-possessed. Always ready to fill a lap. If there is no free lap a window sill will do.
George — Johana’s meerkat. Opinionated. Always there. Loves jersey coats.
Mildred — Johana’s dassie. Sharper than anyone gives her credit for. Rescued by Hugh, nursed by Johana, respected by everybody.
The Humans
Celia — 64. Widow. Grew up on a sheep farm, became the vet’s wife in Vernoeg. Hugh’s second wife. Working out who she is now that she is neither of those things. Widow seems more like a life sentence than a title.
Hugh — Recently deceased. Large animal vet. Kindly, caring, always meant well but thought he would live for ever.
Mark — Hugh’s older son. Accountant. Lives in Cape Town. Appointed executor.
David —Also Hugh’s younger son. A vet in Beaufort West, and a father with a teenage son, Hughie
Maggie — Celia and Hugh’s daughter, 25. Doing her Master’s in genetic crop manipulation at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Organised, practical, capable. Scientific minded. Believes everything is better with an appropriate spreadsheet.
Nell — Born in Vernoeg. Left at 18 to marry Frikkie Myburgh, a merino farmer between Vernoeg and Beaufort West. Went to Somerset West when Frikkie’s cancer got worse. Widowed. Tried Somerset West on her own, living not far from her daughter. Came back. Quietly courageous waiting for invitations to visit the farm that was once hers and Frikkie’s but is now belongs to her son and his wife.
Meg and Ben — Persuaded to move from Gqeberha to live in the Vernoeg Retirement Village. Both children and their families are relatively nearby, but where once they at least saw their grandchildren over school holidays, now they have to make do with phone calls or flying visits. They initially feel isolated and out of place but have found ways of integrating.
Magda and Piet – unexpectedly found a refuge at Vernoeg Retirement Village. Piet no longer needs to manage Magda’s illness alone. Their story is still to come.