Post 18 Build it Journey

BLOG POST 18

I woke up early in the morning, my mind racing with many various thoughts. We had been going at a hell of a lick for the last month, were ahead of our anticipated schedule and I was both excited by our progress and the warm reception I had received from  all the Build It store owners or managers and I could see finally that the two years of long hours and sweat capital that  my partners and I had put into homeimprovement4u was going to start  showing benefits. I could not get back to sleep so I made myself an early tea and watched the most magnificent sunrise you could ever imagine.

After tidying up the cottage we had occupied over the previous two days and packing the car we bid farewell to our hostess Nozipho  who seemed sorry to see us go and we headed for the freeway towards Durban. As we approached the Salt Rock turnoff bridge we glimpsed a huge traffic jam backed up a long way on the freeway so we did a quick about turn and decided to take the M4 to Durban just in case. I was struck by the fertile greenness of the indigenous, sub-tropical vegetation in amongst the miles of sugar cane. We scooted past some incredible new north coast residential estate developments and I thought how much change there had been in this country during the last 20 years.

We passed the 'spaghetti junction' interchange between Durban and Westville, sped on towards Edwin Swales Drive and then headed for the Austerville Build It store in the very densely industrial area south of Durban. There I met Paul and his very lovely assistant Elaine and I went through their listing.

Our next stop was Umlazi and as we turned into the township area it was a humbling experience to see how many people were living in very difficult conditions without employment and perhaps prospects and I felt a deep need to be very grateful for our privileged existence. A few kilometers along the main road we saw the large Umlazi Build It on our left hand side and Greg pulled into the ample and spacious parking area where I got out to meet Robbie Ducasse and what a fine fellow he is. We also shared some history with his Grandfather’s brother being Des Ducasse who was the headmaster of my high school and a person who enjoyed every boy and staff member’s total respect. His nickname was ‘The Duke’ and that is what he was. I was so impressed with Robbie that I called the owner of the store Mike McDonald to tell him that he had a real quality man managing his store. Thanks Robbie for a great visit.

I then dropped Greg off at home and headed to my sister’s home in Westville. We had a lovely evening and my Mum even came for a wine and a chat, which was the cherry on the top of a great day