When Christmas Trees Were Tall

Growing up in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in the 1950's and 1960's. The emphasis is on a way of life completely different to that of the present day, some 60 years later.

Reminiscences of schooling in King Williams Town (Dale Junior), then East London (Cambridge Junior), then back to King Williams Town (Dale College). More important, or rather better remembered, were the extra-mural activities, especially sport, especially rugby and cricket. These played a huge role, as involvement in sport was compulsory, in many of life's lessons, learnt young.

Long Summers and the 'Christmas holidays', often associated with sea-side resorts along the 'East Coast' and the Transkei 'Wild Coast', are well remembered and recorded for posterity possibly one of the few things that remain timeless (?) especially concerning small children. Definitely periods responsible for the title of this book.

A family tie to a wonderful farm in the Kei Road district of the Eastern Cape availed the writer of the wonders of nature in its many guises and instilled a love of the bush that was to last, and influence, a lifetime.

The East London of those years bragged the presence of a modern and highly acclaimed Grand Prix circuit and the early years (1960's) of the modern era of motor racing are recounted here, having been part of that exciting time.

The years as a boarder at Dale College account for a large portion of the story, again probably because the memory of that period is better it was also such a complete change of environment from what had gone before that it has been better 'embedded' in the mind. It was a "growing up fast" episode for a youngster and some of its 'lessons' have been life-long. Again sport, especially rugby, played a big part in school life.

The conscript army at that time in South Africa is introduced, but is dealt with in detail in the sequel book "All Over the Shop" which is in progress. The foundation is laid for a huge change in a young life, the end product of which was to exit South Africa for Botswana many years later (covered in the third and final book "Gold, at Last").
About the Author

A 'baby boomer' born in 1949 and schooled at Cambridge Junior in East London, Dale College in King Williams Town and Natal university in Pietermaritzburg (eventually).

Has been living in Botswana for the last 30 plus years and is now a semi-retired exploration geologist still searching for the 'mother load' even though there has been involvement in the discovery of numerous mineral deposits, mainly gold.

In addition to Botswana, the work experience elsewhere in Africa includes Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and overseas in Australia and Canada with interludes in England, France and Ireland.

Married to Maryke for over 40 years with two sons who, although 'bred for export', decided to return to Botswana, and together with their families (a wife and two daughters each) form a wonderfully close knit family group.

Dettagli