Leaving on a jet plane (advance train!)

[Skinny]

After 7 wonderfull years in Oranjemund and over 20 years with De Beers we are leaving on an Advance truck trailer train. Don't think we will be back apart to come fishing! but seriously it hit me hard today that we are finally been given our marching orders. No work permit or visa's and I can't carry on living like this any more. Am sorry that we will be leaving many friends, colleagues and two special employees, who are like family to Pat, myself and the boys. However a new chapter begins and to those fantantic cheetah supporters, there is always a bed and a cold one in the fridge for Bloemfontein Games as our house in 10 minutes away from the Stadium!  , The thing I am going to miss the most, coffee made by Mike, and recovery room facilities in the Spar office, net alone the venting!!!! Thanks to one and thanks to all, you know who you are.

[Michael Alexander]

let it be made known, that I do not make coffee for anyone, except for Skinny and a one of Gov Official.....

Skinny, Ya, should been born Chinese, then perhaps you would have been able to get that work permit,

I am sure the local economy will miss the N$ 20 000 a month that you spent here, and I am sure that the employee's that worked for you will find other jobs...

Pity that the politicians can;'t seem to see the bigger picture....

and make sure that you have WHK draught in the Bloem fridge, don;t wanna have to bring my own with.,..... 

[Sheena]

Hi there, what a shocker with the work permit!!!
Well, I am sure that you and Pat will be happy in Bloem.
Keep well and say hi to the boys.

[Skinny]

Hey Mike, seeing AJ works for SABreweries we are only allowed their products in our fridge, but for you we make a plan (I'll hide it under your bed)!

Sheena, thanks so much Ja lets not go on about the work permit. Good luck to any one out there who is battling. The worse thing is that we wanted to retire in Namibia as we so love it here, and AJ and Mel got engaged here and there are so many memories, but the powers that be have other ideas. So we are off to SA. Pat to start a consultancy business and me to make organic breads, grow micro herbs for the restaurant trade and bottle my special chillies. So I am sure we will keep busy. Any body got a tunnel to sell in bloem or lease? Please keep me in mind. Keep well and love to Gary and kids.

[SandyB]

Aaw  No  !!  what awful news Skinny ... so politics  won over pragmatism and business common sense ... seems Namdeb also dont have balls ,,, May these assholes live with the consequences  of their " transformation " ideology ,, .. on the positive side  sounds like you guys  are positive about the future ,, albeit thrust upon you its a new  start , just sad that you could not realise  your dream of retiring there ,,