Over the Ocean, Over the Sea

My bonnie lies over the ocean,
My bonnie lies over the sea,
Oh bring back, Oh bring back
My bonnie to me.

My brother and his now wife have been living in the United Kingdom since 2000. Since they moved, they have been back a few times, averaging maybe about once a year. The most recent visit was the long one when they came to be wed. We, my family and I, have never been over to see them, mainly because of financial reasons. Alas, none of my immediate family, except my brother, has ever left the borders of lovely sunny South Africa. On their previous visit, my brother and his wife made a deal with a family about jointly funding a trip, something everyone could agree on and was happy with. It was settled: we’re going overseas! And not just visiting the UK, but also taking a brief tour across continental Europe.

The deal was struck in April, but I deliberately put off planning and preparing for the trip until this holiday started so that I could wouldn’t get all giddy and get distracted from my studies. The plan was to go for as long as possible (nearly a whole month) next year June and July. We would stay UK a bit, then go on the tour and then go back to the UK to visit some more there before returning back to SA. The preliminary plan for the tour was Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, [Copenhagen], Berlin. In Berlin I would’ve been able to meet up with my old History teacher from school who will be going on a separate tour at the same time next year.

Before I left for Jozie I made the first inquiries into airplane ticket prices and possibilities for the tour: the first steps were taken! I came back with an armful of literature and many warnings and tips; the planning had to start in earnest and soon!

Until this year, my brother and his wife (both psychiatrists) worked and stayed in Wales. Recently, however, after many prayers, hopes and much sweat, they received the good tiding that they had been accepted to work in the city of Cambridge. Not only was the family elated about the good news, but this was an added bonus for our trip, because Cambridge in itself is a greater experience than much of Wales (or so I’m told).

Before I left for Jozie, I instructed my mother to go buy the airplane tickets without hesitation, as their availability was in danger.

At Jozie, I received the tiding that we’re not going any more.

The reason was simple and I could have guessed it, but didn’t: time and money was a problem. With their recent wedding and buying and moving into a house in Cambridge was quite a strain for them, especially since their old house hasn’t been sold yet. Before we would have gone over, by brother’s in-laws will visit. Add to that the fact that they’ve just started new jobs, you’ll find that they aren’t exactly dosed up to the eyeballs with leave they can take from work.

So, c’est la vie. MY passport will now continue to gather dust until another point in time. “Year after next,” as everyone says. Yeah, wait another year. Sure, I’m a little disgruntled, but it will pass. It’s not really anyone’s fault, so I’m not blaming anyone. Now I have to fill the void of the June/July holidays. I could have gone to see Nikki, but they’re going to America on holiday. Meh, I’ll figure something out. Maybe I can work ahead in the holiday so my final semester is less hectic, lol!