Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2011-53

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Zvonko Springer describes the destruction following a cyclone
• We get letters from Dilys Buchan and Norma Patterson
• Tom Telfer forwards a thoughtful thank you for friendship
• Carol Dilworth shares a favourite Christmas cake recipe
• From court records, "actual" questions and answers
• Catherine Nesbit forwards a story about a fishing boat
• Pat Moore sends New Year wishes
• Sites are recommended by Bruce Galway, Carol Hansen, Catherine Nesbitt, Gerrit deLeeuw, Tom Williamson, and Tony Lewis

Zvonko Springer and Ljiljana have just gone through a cyclone on their

WORKING HOLIDAY

The access road to the Hotel Trou aux Biches after the cyclone (click to enlarge)

Ljiljana returned to the room, hoping to find the room maid, and I went to the concierge. On the way there I met a German tourist who had been looking for some tools for clearing some of the debris on the pathways and around the houses. Unfortunately, we could not find any tools like a hammer or an axe, a saw, or a hoe. Sorry, we do not have anything like that, was the answer we got. The manager said that they expected help to come by the road. I went out to see what the situation was there, but returned after a brief inspection that was more than devastating. Tree trunks lay across the road so a bulldozer would have to come first to push this mountain of trash to the sides.

Ljiljana went to the store, where she got fresh bedding and towels, as well as a broom. There were not many tourists in the hotel, and most of them did not bother much about cleaning or any normalization. The majority of them were from South Africa, and they had come to Mauritius to partake in a competition of catching marlins. Their deep- sea sailing boats had found refuge at the deep harbour of Grand Baie at the north of the island. They were a noisy and almost careless bunch of whites showing off their wealth and dominance. These people did not bother much about others and went on with their snobbish way of life. We would meet them at the casino tables that same evening when Ljiljana and I went there to kill the waiting time.

There was no telephone connection the whole day, so I could not place a call through to find out when we could fly to Reunion and onwards to Djibouti, and finally home. We had prepared our luggage for a sudden departure anyway, just to keep busy. Some boys turned up offering "palm hearts" for some Mauritian rupees. The taste of palm hearts reminded us of cabbage. We wondered why we had to pay so much for them in Europe. The fact was that the palm tree was dead before the hearts could be picked, meaning that there would not be any leaves on them in future. Nature looked really depressing.

Those palm trees that had been bent towards the sea by the morning wind surges were bent in the opposite direction during the night by the returning cyclone winds. No tree could withstand such an impact. Only the Casuarinas looked somewhat unscathed, whereas all the other trees had lost their leaves or needles. Bushes looked naked, denuded of their foliage, and the ground was covered with a layer of dry leaves, branches, and bits and pieces of whatever had been the beauty of this island. These were the most heartbreaking moments for Ljiljana, my dear Taurus wife of almost 25 years.

Some time in the afternoon, Jose arrived in his car, telling us some hair-raising stories about his journey to us. He told us that there was no chance that we could fly the next day, so we might as well go with him to see for ourselves what "Gervais" had done to the island.

Destroyed boats at Grand Baie (click to enlarge)

We drove to the north on the main road to Grand Baie to view the harbour there. This was the most disastrous scene we had seen up until then. The fleet of South African sailing boats had been thrown like matches all over the quay wall or beach. None of the boats were in the water - all were scattered on the land, some of them splintered and their masts broken. Definitely the competition for catching marlins ended in calamity.

We continued on the main road northwards, passing Pereybere to reach Cap Malhereux (Cape of Disaster), which it really was. It was catastrophe all around along a road where Jose had to navigate between rubble pushed to one side or the other, just leaving room for a car to pass. After Goodlands (sic!) we turned to the island´s interior at Pudre d´Or (Golden Powder) to bypass Pamplemousses (botanic garden). What would be the damage in that beautiful garden we had visited a few days ago? We became very depressed seeing all the destruction a terrific cyclone had caused. Jose drove us back to the hotel, and he promised to return the next day, hoping to bring good news.

The restaurant had returned almost to the normal, although it was obvious that a number of staff members had not turned up for work yet. The meal was freshly prepared but the menu was somehow simpler than before.

Our room had been cleaned, even though Ljiljana had done a lot of work before we left it. The power returned, though it was flickering, as it was produced by an auxiliary generator, but the phone line did not work. After dinner we thought it would be a good idea to try our luck in the casino. There we found quite a big crowd, consisting mostly of South African guests. We bought some chips to play on the roulette tables. I was not in a good mood so I let Ljiljana spend the chips. She had luckier choices and when she had won enough, she decided to stop, coming out almost even. It was time to get a sound sleep in the night that was to be just the opposite of the night before.

Hotel Trou aux Biches destruction after the cyclone (click to enlarge)

Morning turned up a bit gloomy, despite some sunshine, but the sight of the surroundings was totally depressing. Jose was late, explaining that Mr. Rogers would like to see us before we left. Chances were good that an aircraft would arrive from Reunion on the next day, and he had put us on the waiting list.

A stranded boat at Grand Baie (click to enlarge)

Driving southwards, we turned to visit the Silo station first, finding it in good shape and not damaged at all. However, the big silo for fertilizer looked somehow dilapidated, as big areas of its insulation layer had peeled off in several places. Then we went to Port Louis harbour, which looked intact at first until we saw its inner pool. There were six Japanese deep-sea trawlers that had sailed into the harbour to find safety, but all of them were now stranded on the quay walls. The bows of the two front trawlers were thrown on the dock in front; the other two pairs of ships lay to the left and right, on the quay side and on the wave-breaker quay wall side. It was a complete disaster for the Japanese fishing fleet consisting of six deep-sea trawlers - quite large sea-going ships.

Depressed with what we had seen, Jose suggested we visit Mr. Rogers in his office. We found this gentleman somehow disturbed, listening to his phone. He laid down his phone when his secretary announced us. Ljiljana greeted him first and said how sorry she was for what had happened. Mr. Rogers told us that the cyclone had caused great damage to the sugar cane fields, that would badly hit the island´s economy. I asked about the wind velocities of the cyclone. He had checked the data from an anemometer at the airport, which was a bit out of the cyclone´s eye. The data showed that the velocities were at about 250ml/h (400km/). The anemometer at the MPC silo station had broken down. The same had happened to the instrument at the adjacent fertilizer silo, which had stuck above 250ml/h. For me it was significant information that I would have to use for the structural design of bridges of some 40m span and the building at the Silo station extension.

To be continued.

NOTE: Zvonko sent a large number of pictures along with this series of articles. They are arranged in several albums here. These albums will be slow to download as they are very large files.

Album 1: Mauritius Island on Arrival

Album 2: Pictures when Cyclone Gervais hit Mauritius and some from better days

Album 3: End of holidays by the way of Reunion and Djibouti

CORRESPONDENCE

Dilys Buchan writes: I still read the Spinner, although sometimes it´s a catch-up matter, since I don´t go into Yahoo as often as I should. Increasing age and medical problems take their toll, and right now things are worse than normal. In the last month, I have had an angioplasty, sold my house, and taken a small apartment in a place on the harbourfront that has an elevator, instead of the three-storey, three-bedroom house I´ve been in for the last fourteen years. I shall sorely miss my garden, but not the two long flights of stairs.

I am celebrating Christmas by packing yet more cardboard boxes to add to the growing pile in what used to be my dining room! And of course, taking time out to do the NY Times Sunday crossword, my weekly treat.

A happy New Year to you and all the Spinner family.

Norma Patterson writes: Pat Moore´s story of the white envelope brought tears to my eyes; such a great thing to do! And boy, I could use a gift from Don Henderson´s list of presents for mature women!

This year for Christmas we got goats; the dental staff in our family got dental supplies; the teacher, school supplies; and the nurses - one got medical supplies and another got little pigs! Our daughter has been doing this for a few years.

Tom Telfer writes: I wish I could take credit for composing this message, but I didn´t, and have no idea who did. However, I agree with the sentiment so I´m passing it on:

WHERE DID 2011 GO?

Where did this year go?

Suddenly it is December - again!

A big "Thank You" to each and every one of you for the impact you had on my life this year; especially for all the e-mails I have received. Without you, I´m sure that 2011 would have been extremely boring.

From my side I wish you all a New Year filled with loving wishes and beautiful thoughts. May 2012 mark the beginning of a tidal wave of love, happiness, and bright futures.

And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.
To those who need money, may your finances overflow.
To those who need caring, may you find a good heart.
To those who need friends, I am still here for you.

Thanks for being my friend!

Carol Dilworth shares a recipe for

CHRISTMAS BAKING

While reading the holiday issue, it occurred to me that I would enjoy having everyone´s favourite recipe for this time of year. So I shall begin. I found this recipe in "The Guardian" (it dates from 1954) but I am swearing you to secrecy. It is always a huge hit and everyone assumes that I spent hours preparing it months in advance. In fact, this Christmas Cake can be made just before company arrives (although it cuts much cleaner if left to cool overnight). I send the cake home with my guests and apparently it tastes better by the day.

I buy the ingredients at a bulk food store so that I can weigh the exact amount. I use brown paper lunch bags; they´re the perfect size for a square baking tin and are already a double layer. To line the sides with baking parchment, just put long sheets on the bottom and run them up over the sides. The cooking times are what work with my oven and may vary.

350g plain flour (no raising agent)
1 tsp ground cinnamon, or to taste
1 tsp mixed spice, or to taste
115g mixed candied peel, chopped
900g mixed dried fruit (preferably 450g currants, 225g sultanas, 225g
seedless raisins)
50-115g blanched slivered almonds
115g glace cherries, chopped
4 large eggs, whisked
4 tbsp sherry or brandy or rum or milk
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (optional)
225g butter
225g sugar, preferably dark moist brown sugar
1 level tbsp black treacle or golden syrup

To prepare the tin, line the inside bottom with a double layer of brown paper, then cover this with a double thickness of baking parchment. Line the sides of the tin with baking parchment. Tie a deep double band of brown paper round the outside of the tin.

Sift together the flour and spices. Mix the peel, dried fruits, almonds and cherries (if these are slightly sticky, flour them lightly). Blend the eggs with the sherry, brandy, rum or milk. Cream together the lemon and orange zest with the butter, sugar, and treacle or golden syrup until soft. Do not overbeat. Gradually blend in the egg mixture and sifted dry ingredients. Stir in all the fruit. Spoon the mixture into the tin, smooth flat on top, then press the top with slightly damp knuckles.

Bake in the centre of an oven preheated to 160C (140 in a fan oven) for one hour, then lower the heat to 140C (120 in a fan oven) and cook for two hours. To test, listen. A rich fruit cake that is not quite cooked gives a definite humming noise. Cool the cake in the baking tin. Makes a 23cm round cake or 20cm square cake.

ED. NOTE: Carol would obviously appreciate receiving other readers´ favourite holiday recipes!

DISORDER IN THE COURT

These are from a book called "Disorder in the Court." These are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters. How did they keep from laughing while these were all taking place?

Judge: "Well, sir, I have reviewed this case and I´ve decided to give
your wife $775 a week."
Husband: "That´s fair, your honour. I´ll try to send her a few bucks
myself."

Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July fifteenth.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.

Q: What gear were you in at moment of the impact?
A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

Q: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
A: Yes.
Q: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
A: I forget.
Q: You forget. Can you give us an example of something you´ve forgotten?

Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can´t remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years.

Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up
that morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.

Q: And where was the location of the accident?
A: Approximately milepost 499.
Q: And where is milepost 499?
A: Probably between milepost 498 and 500.

Q: Sir, what is your IQ?
A: Well, I can see pretty well, I think.

Q: Did you blow your horn or anything?
A: After the accident?
Q: Before the accident.
A: Sure, I played for 10 years. I even went to school for it.

Q: Trooper, when you stopped the defendant, were your red and blue
lights flashing?
A: Yes.
Q: Did the defendant say anything when she got out of her car?
A: Yes, sir.
Q: What did she say?
A: What disco am I at?

Q: Now doctor, isn´t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he
doesn´t know about it until the next morning?
A: Would you repeat that question, please?

Q: The youngest son, the 20-year old, how old is he?

Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?

Q: So the date of conception of (the baby) was August 8th?
A: Yes.
Q: And what were you doing at that time?
A: I resent that question.

Q: She had three children, right?
A: Yes.
Q: How many were boys?
A: None.
Q: Were there any girls?

Q: You say the stairs went down to the basement?
A: Yes.
Q: And these stairs, did they go up also?

Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
A: By death.
Q: And by whose death was it terminated?

Q: Can you describe the individual?
A: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Q: Was this a male or a female?

Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition that
I sent to your attorney?
A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.

Q: All your responses must be oral, OK?
A: OK.
Q: What school did you go to?
A: Oral.

Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an
autopsy on him.

Q: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?

Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began
the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practising
law somewhere.

ED. NOTE: As always, these answers must be questioned as to their validity.

Catherine Nesbitt sends the story of

THE FISHING BOAT

A good ole Saskatchewan boy wins a fishing boat in a raffle drawing. When he brings it home, his wife looks at him and says, "What the hell you gonna do with that? There ain´t no water deep enough to float a boat within 75 miles of here."

He says, "I won it and I´m a gonna keep it."

His brother comes over to visit several days later. He sees the wife and asks where his brother is. She says, "He´s out there in his fishing boat," pointing to the field behind the house.

The brother heads out behind the house and sees his brother sitting in a fishing boat with a fishing rod in his hand down in the middle of a big field. He yells out to him, "What the hell are you doing?"

His brother replies, "I´m fishing. What does it look like I´m doing?"

His brother yells back, "It´s people like you that give people from Saskatchewan a bad name, making everybody think we´re stupid. If I could swim, I´d come out there and kick your ass!"

Pat Moore sends this timely wish:

A NEW YEAR´S WISH FOR YOU AND YOURS

May you get a clean bill of health
from your dentist, your ophthalmologist, your psychiatrist,
your cardiologist, your urologist,
your proctologist, your gynecologist, your podiatrist,
your plumber, and Revenue Canada.

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift,
your love handles, and your stocks never fall;
and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides,
your cholesterol, your white blood count, your weight,
and your property assessments never increase.

May you be sensitive to the needs of others
and may you create within yourself
a balance of your own needs.

May you laugh at yourself and realize if you were supposed
to touch your toes while exercising,
they would have been placed further up;
and may you realize the reason so many people
take up jogging is to hear heavy breathing again.

May what you see in the mirror delight you
and what others see in you delight them.

May someone love you enough to accept
and forgive your faults and be blind to your blemishes,
and tell the whole world about your virtues.

May you live in a world at peace,
with an awareness of the beauty of every sunset,
every flower, every child´s smile,
and every wonderful astonishing beat of your own heart.

Above all, may you continue to smile,
may your life be filled with laughter.
may you never forget the words

"A gloomy spirit rots the bones;
but a merry heart is like good medicine."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Bruce Galway sends the URL for a video of Bob Hope entertaining troops in a great number of locations over the years:

Carol Hansen suggests this site, which tells you some of the events that happened during the year in which you were born:

Catherine Nesbitt forwards this link to a video of Espen Fadnes jumping off a mountain in Norway clad only in a suit with bat wings and flying at 250 km/h to a parachute-assisted landing:

Gerrit deLeeuw forwards this URL for quite a different solo flight, in which Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy completed a flight over the Grand Canyon in his custom-built jet suit. He was airborne for more than eight minutes, soaring 200 feet above the canyon rim on the Hualapai Reservation after launching from a helicopter. Rossy´s jet suit averages 124 mph and has a 6.5-foot wing span; he wears it on his back, sending fuel to the four engines with a slight roll of his hand. The FAA went back and forth with his representatives over whether the jet suit should be classified as an airplane or a power glider, but ultimately grouped it with airplanes:

Tom Williamson suggests this site for a video of a boy and his unbelievably patient dog:

Tony Lewis forwards a link to a moving video of the school children of Holten, Netherlands, on December 24 placing candles on the graves of the Canadian soldiers who died liberating the town of Holten in the 2nd World War:

For details on how to learn a language for free and simultaneously translate the Web, as told about by Luis von Ahn in a TED talk in last week´s issue, click on

And to finish the old year and start the new, here is a stirring version of Auld Lang Syne:

To check out the features of the "freedictionary", which changes daily, go to