We are back from Nelspruit…Tom’s surgery postponed…Hot today! 100F, 38C…

Yesterday morning, we drove to Nelspruit for Tom’s 12:15 appointment with Dr. Dean, his ophthalmologist, to see whether his eye had healed enough to remove the oil after his retinal detachment surgery three weeks ago. We had been hoping the doctor would give us the go-ahead for the surgery, which would have meant staying overnight in Nelspruit for a follow-up appointment the next morning.

We had booked a room at the Protea by Marriott for last night, using points from our credit card. Since we had expected Tom to have the surgery yesterday, we had arranged everything accordingly. Unfortunately, the doctor explained that Tom’s eye needed a few more weeks to heal before he could safely proceed with the oil removal. We scheduled another appointment for October 27, when hopefully the doctor will determine that Tom is ready for the next step in this long process.

At first, we assumed we would have to stay overnight anyway since we had made a non-refundable hotel reservation online. However, we decided it was worth stopping by the hotel to explain our situation and ask whether we could move our reservation to October 27 without a penalty. We certainly weren’t optimistic about our chances, but we had nothing to lose by asking.

Much to our surprise, the hotel staff remembered us from our visit three weeks ago. After we explained what had happened and why we no longer needed the room, the representative went to speak with her manager. Within a few minutes, she returned with wonderful news. They agreed to move our reservation to October 27 without charging us a penalty!

We were shocked and incredibly grateful. It was such a kind gesture, especially when we had fully expected to lose the reservation. We made sure they knew how much we appreciated their willingness to accommodate us. These little acts of kindness can make a difficult day so much better, and we certainly won’t forget their generosity.

With that unexpected problem resolved, we were back on the road in no time, heading back toward Marloth Park on the dreaded N4 highway. Unfortunately, the return journey was just as stressful as the morning drive. The highway was filled with fast-moving trucks and other vehicles weaving in and out of traffic, all while we navigated extensive construction along much of the route.

With Tom only able to see clearly through one eye, the drive was particularly challenging. We both had to stay extremely alert, and I kept a close eye on the road, watching for hazards and trying to anticipate anything that might cause any problems. Driving in South Africa can be challenging under the best circumstances, but these road conditions made the journey especially nerve-racking.

By the time we finally arrived back at our holiday home in Marloth Park at around 3:00 pm, we had spent almost five stressful hours traveling. We were happy to be home and relieved the appointment was behind us, even if we had to wait a few more weeks for Tom’s next procedure.

After such a long day, neither of us felt like preparing dinner. Instead, we decided to head out early to Amazing Kruger View, one of our favorite places to enjoy the scenery along the Crocodile River. At 4:00 pm, we gathered our camera and binoculars and set off for an afternoon of relaxation, hoping to spot some wildlife along the river.

The weather was bright, hot, and sunny, and arriving early meant we could choose our tables. We were delighted to get the best table on their veranda, with its wonderful views over the Crocodile River. There is something special about sitting in a comfortable spot overlooking the river, camera and binoculars close at hand, never knowing what might appear while we are enjoying a meal.

I was particularly looking forward to ordering the delicious calamari tubes I always enjoy when we dine there. After the stress of the drive and the disappointment of postponing Tom’s surgery, a relaxing afternoon with good food and beautiful views felt like exactly what we needed. But after I asked the waitress what the tubes were cooked in, we left and went to Giraffe, where Tom had a pizza, and I had my usual grilled chicken salad. We encountered several locals we know and had a nice time. In tomorrow’s post, I will share what I found out is used for cooking at Amazing Kruger View.

Although we hoped yesterday would bring us one step closer to completing Tom’s eye treatment, we now have a new appointment date and a hotel reservation waiting for us. For now, we’ll stay patient, take things one day at a time, and appreciate the little kindnesses and simple pleasures that make our unusual life in the bush so special.

We slept well and feel fine facing today’s 100F (38C) day sitting outdoors on the veranda. Tonight, we are off to Jabula for more socializing and good food. Right now, it’s 93F (34C) and should reach 100F by 2:00 pm.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 9, 2016: