Super Seconders – 10 June 2008

Our super seconds, George and Elly, flew back to South Africa today. They were wonderful support, adding good banter and providing great conversations to a team that have been in each other’s pockets for the last six months and so have largely exhausted most topics of conversation… music and sports trivia excluded! No really, if anyone does read this, I know that they both will – Thank you. You chaps are awesome. Not many people would take precious time off work to come and drive a landdrover behind a troop of smelly cyclists…

We dropped them off at the Francis town airport which was an experience unto itself. It comprised of a shipping container-styled building that made the blue-printed VIP Lounge sign above one of the exterior doors look a little out of place. The departure lounge is a 5m squared room with two counters and low chairs lining the walls. A ridiculously tall man sprawled himself out across these chairs as he devoured his beans and pap. To someone who can claim a short stint of working within the aviation industry… it was absolutely bizarre. Retail space totals 3sqm – a counter that serves the pap and beans. Security comprises one scanner.

They’re back home now, thankfully. But it was a truly fascinating encounter with an African airport.