What do, or would, you miss most about SA?

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As it says on the tin, what is to be missed most about SA?

Family aside, and the Cape Town weather, I could kill for a meal at the Spur.

Things I could buy at a South African shop if I was bothered include Peppermint Crisp, Romany Creams and proper Fanta.

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bobskii said:

Next time I fly to the UK I'm sure I could pick you up some bits and send them to you. A sort 'home from home' munchy box!

That's very kind of you but they don't take kindly to biltong passing through customs.

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AlleyCat said:

Not sure where you are based in the UK at the moment, but if you are London way there is a Spur in the O2

I'm in the South West - Swindon & Bristol - so a trip to the O2 is somewhat out of the way.

Wasn't there also one in Slough?

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green944 said:

I miss Pick and Pay and ....ummmm not much else

You miss P'n'P?
What do you miss about it? The pies?
They did make some pretty amazing pies.

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Apparently there are places where it's available over here (if you're prepared to pay a bit more), but it never tastes quite the same.

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green944 said:

Liked the pies...a good variety too, that is what I miss...all the sauces,salad dressings, veges, fruit. What was your favourite pie?

Pepper steak.

King Pies were pretty good too.

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Alfanatic said:

.
Simba Smoked Beef crisps (sorry, I mean chips).

Many moons ago, as a student, I was actually Simba Lion for a few marketing events.

As a poor student the pay was pretty decent. Still have a Simba t-shirt knocking about.

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Nothing especially exciting. Just a few events in East London.

You always have a "minder" with you who you have to pretend to whisper to. She then tells the crowd what I've alleged to have said.

Rule number one they drum into you: Simba may not speak.

Thumping rowdy kids who kick you in the shin is also a

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JimBaboon said:

Anyone else considering the move back?

No. Absolutely not.
My in-laws are forever asking for us to even go back for a holiday and I won't even do that. I don't feel I can take my daughters back there for even a short time.

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Alfanatic mentioned it above but I've really been thinking about it of late; I used to love lying out in the garden (or pretty much any open spaces) at night and seeing the stars.
A clear night sky which isn't sullied by light pollution is a beautiful thing.

And I could kill for a Spur burger.

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seadragon said:

I miss:

Yogi Sips Yes
Nik Naks Yes
Pronutro Yes
Proper Biltong Yes
Ghostbusters
Flings
Being able to go to the coast for the weekend, get pissed, built a fire and doss on the sand (Eastern Cape). Yes
The feeling of space and peace and quiet. Yes
Black Label beer
Amarula Yes
The weather.
Beaches

And the list goes on ….


What I don’t miss:

Having to carry a gun and look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get murdered (since its happened a lot to people I know in the Eastern Cape) and wondering that if I have to drive a long distance somewhere, praying my car wouldn’t break down so I wouldn’t be at risk or being attacked/killed.

The politics, ie those who think the world owes them a hand-out for the rest of their lives and conversely those narrow-minded bigots who dont realise we live in a modern world now and give the rest of us who have moved on a bad name with their racist ways.

Having to read the same negative news in the papers daily about how some money has been embezzled by some crony or family member of someone in government or about some demonstration or someone getting raped or killed by some disaffected numpty (usually a common criminal by another name).

Completely agree with your list of Things I Don't Miss.

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robsartain said:

Hi

I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.

Things I miss are:-

Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek Yes. Oh, and they're Simba chips, not crisps.
Top Deck Yes
The Stars Yes
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea) Yes
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun. Yes
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat Yes. I have a bottle or two in my cupboard but it's now for special occasions only.
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained) No

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TonyRPH said:

I miss:
Christmas Beatles

Are you mad?! Those little buggers are the most annoying things on the planet. The one wish they had was to fly into my ears.

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^^
Being married to a South African Afrikaaner definitely has its advantages.

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Foppo said:

That is a shame grandparents not being able to see their grandchildren.I know there is Skype.I hope you will be able to go and take your daughters soon.

Sadly not, chap. In-laws have to come over here every 18 months or so.
I cannot and will not take my girls over there with a clear conscience.

It'll not improve in my lifetime, so we'll continue to rely on Skype.

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Condolences, Chris.

Good shout on the Pecks, though!

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There used to be a choc chip yoghurt (you know how it's pronounced) which I used to get at Pick 'n Pay. I haven't found one that comes close to it here in the UK.

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TonyRPH said:

I seem to recall that they always looked like this? (pic from SA site)

The genuine Cadac Skottel is available from GoOutdoors.

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Chris Type R said:

TonyRPH said:

Looks a lot smaller too.

Mind you, the steaks are a lot smaller here in the UK

Depends where you buy them

South African ostrich steaks are available at Tesco.

Not that big but it's ostrich.

Which reminds me of an old joke:
Why is it called an ostrich?

Have you seen the size of its egg?

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QuantumTokoloshi said:

I miss the languages, I miss hearing Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans being spoken.

I do miss being able to use SA slang and people understanding me, without looking at me blankly.

Three South Africans in my team at work. (No, we're not in London and no, I don't work in a bar.)

Ons verstaan mekaar just fine.