The Olive Bowl

  Relatives. We had heard a lot about them from Mom and Dad, and now we were about to experience them through picnics, parties, plain days and other proceedings. Perhaps it had to start with those who took priority in the ‘pecking order’, namely our two Grannies. That year we were given a place to stay in Cook Rd, Newlands. It was fairly small, so we often visited other relatives or we went out for picnics in smaller groups. Dad’s mom, Granny Serena, held a special place in Dad’s regard. From the age of twelve, when he had lost his father, he had been the ‘man’ in the house and was very solicitous of her. She lived with her eldest child, daughter Yvonne and Glynn Tudor and their family. Uncle Glynn was from Wales and was a Baptist pastor in Observatory and good friend of Dad’s too. He also served in North Africa during World War II and he and Dad connected there when possible. Years later, we heard stories of how Granny Serena would open Dad’s letters to his sister Yvonne and wou...