Tranquillity of the turquoise blue ocean and the snow white rapids of a nearby river in Onrus are the perfect surroundings for a teenage boy to gather dreamlike childhood memories. “All I needed was my bike, my fishing rod and my BB gun”, this is Timothy Gabb’s port of call each time he travels back in time to relive his teenage years.
Almost a year ago Tim embarked on an incredibly bumpy ocean voyage. He registered at Rhodes University, his intension, to become a writer. Yet this was not his maiden voyage as far as life and its many lessons go. He talks of a distant life, one that existed before Rhodes, where for now even fonder memories lie. Post Onrus lead Tim to the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca. Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean this island became the iconic beginning of an unforgettable two year true ocean adventure, spending the majority of this time aboard a 130 foot yacht until eventually he beached and reality brought him back to Onrus.
As his thoughts return to Rhodes Tim’s facial expressions alter slightly and the lines across his forehead become more prominent. The thought of lighting up crosses his mind. He reaches deep into his pocket revealing a brand of cigarettes familiar to most students. After lightly patting him self down his brand hits the smooth surface of Blockhouse property and all hope of lighting up disappears as the flame he was searching for is nowhere to be found. Tim cracks a smile; he knows this story owns him. His words slice through the sweet aroma of spring air as his Rhodes experience begins to surface.
Heading for a BA degree with Journalism and English as his majors, a feeling of excitement adds an extra heartbeat to Tim’s life. Everything is on track. A few lows hit him. These include a disciplinary hearing involving his 21st and a few late night/early morning assignments, but the worst was still to come. June exams are at an end, an entire month to relax, party and enjoy life. Yet an uncomfortable shadow hangs over him. One that has brought him to the worst state of depression he has ever experienced.
The Blockhouse starts to shrink as Tim recalls his worst nightmare. Surrounding matter disintegrates and even the pleasant sound of spring in the air begins to melt. His shoulders crumble, his eyes become glass and his head held up only with the aid of his hands. The frowns on his forehead become even more prominent now, an experience that ripples shivers down his spine. The expression on his face tells a story of its own.
His sister, for Tim a shining light at the end of the tunnel, decided to visit. A smile returns to his face as the thoughts of his family and the great time spent in the Transkei override the chilling depressive state he was forced to endure.
Only minutes away from his digs with temptation barking at his heels he steps into the bottle store for a couple of beers. For him Grahamstown is about no traffic and even less queues. As his front gate swings open a smile cuts across his face. It’s Friday afternoon with no deadlines lurking behind him. Sinking into an oak coloured sofa, a beer sizzling in one hand, cigarette chilling in the other, life is good. Soon he will be surrounded by much appreciated digs mates and newly made acquaintances. For Tim, this is a high.
Almost a year ago Tim embarked on an incredibly bumpy ocean voyage. He registered at Rhodes University, his intension, to become a writer. Yet this was not his maiden voyage as far as life and its many lessons go. He talks of a distant life, one that existed before Rhodes, where for now even fonder memories lie. Post Onrus lead Tim to the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca. Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean this island became the iconic beginning of an unforgettable two year true ocean adventure, spending the majority of this time aboard a 130 foot yacht until eventually he beached and reality brought him back to Onrus.
As his thoughts return to Rhodes Tim’s facial expressions alter slightly and the lines across his forehead become more prominent. The thought of lighting up crosses his mind. He reaches deep into his pocket revealing a brand of cigarettes familiar to most students. After lightly patting him self down his brand hits the smooth surface of Blockhouse property and all hope of lighting up disappears as the flame he was searching for is nowhere to be found. Tim cracks a smile; he knows this story owns him. His words slice through the sweet aroma of spring air as his Rhodes experience begins to surface.
Heading for a BA degree with Journalism and English as his majors, a feeling of excitement adds an extra heartbeat to Tim’s life. Everything is on track. A few lows hit him. These include a disciplinary hearing involving his 21st and a few late night/early morning assignments, but the worst was still to come. June exams are at an end, an entire month to relax, party and enjoy life. Yet an uncomfortable shadow hangs over him. One that has brought him to the worst state of depression he has ever experienced.
The Blockhouse starts to shrink as Tim recalls his worst nightmare. Surrounding matter disintegrates and even the pleasant sound of spring in the air begins to melt. His shoulders crumble, his eyes become glass and his head held up only with the aid of his hands. The frowns on his forehead become even more prominent now, an experience that ripples shivers down his spine. The expression on his face tells a story of its own.
His sister, for Tim a shining light at the end of the tunnel, decided to visit. A smile returns to his face as the thoughts of his family and the great time spent in the Transkei override the chilling depressive state he was forced to endure.
Only minutes away from his digs with temptation barking at his heels he steps into the bottle store for a couple of beers. For him Grahamstown is about no traffic and even less queues. As his front gate swings open a smile cuts across his face. It’s Friday afternoon with no deadlines lurking behind him. Sinking into an oak coloured sofa, a beer sizzling in one hand, cigarette chilling in the other, life is good. Soon he will be surrounded by much appreciated digs mates and newly made acquaintances. For Tim, this is a high.
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