We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Lindsey’s father, Peter. Peter was a lovely, lovely man. Always full of beans, always sociable, friendly, helpful and interested in whoever he was talking to, and he also had a great sense of humour.
He was a super Grandad to my sons Jamie & Shaun, and his three other grandchildren. He and Olive came out to Zomba, and also Gaborone, when we were based there. After a few days, we left the kids with their grandparents in our house in Gabs, and took Lindsey’s brother Jonathan for a trip to Lesotho.
We heard later that they’d taken Jamie & Shaun to the Sun Hotel for an outing. The Sun Hotel was where Lindsey, I, Jamie & Shaun had stayed for four months on arrival in Botswana. Well…as soon as Jamie & Shaun realised they were back in their old haunt, they ‘slipped the reins’ and took off! Jamie immediately ran up the stairs, and Shaun zoomed off down the corridor, at great knots. Grandpa chased up the stairs after Jamie, but Jamie was pretty quick for a 4-year-old. Grandma chased after Shaun, but Shaun knew all the nooks and crannies on the ground level of the hotel.
The second day looking after the grandchildren, and they’d both been lost! In darkest Africa, as well.
Not to worry, though. Jamie had found his ‘old pal’ the hotel gardener, and was once more holding the base of the hose and helping to water the shrubs, and Shaun was eventually scouped up by a passing hotel maid.
Peter knew that I followed the England cricket team, and, as we know, for many years until recently, England didn’t always do too well at cricket.
Now, here’s a thing, I rarely answer the landline phone here in this house, almost never unless I’m the only one home, but it was almost uncanny that on the few occasions that I did in the past, it would not only be Peter on the other end phoning his daughter, but also the England cricket team would be going through some crisis or other at that very time.
When he heard my voice, rather than Lindsey’s, quick as a flash he’d ask “How’s your cricket team doing today, Roddy?”
“Ah” I’d answer, knowing that he’d already be aware of the the score, “It’s just a slight mid-innings collapse. I’m sure the tailenders will add a lot to the score. Harmy’s got his eye in, now, I reckon”
“How many have they actually scored, Roddy?” He’d ask.
“Lindsey! It’s your Dad” I’d call out, too embarrassed to give more details.
Me, Jonathan, Peter and Olive, Likubula, 1984
Peter (seated centre) with his latest grandson
Apart from everything else, Peter was father to three lovely offspring, the eldest of whom I’ve been priviledged to be the partner of, for 28 years.
There will be a celebration of Peter’s life on Tuesday.
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