Blessed 2018

So the New Year has finally started, thankfully as last night was a terrible ordeal. Sometime back the City of Joburg in all their wisdom changed an all out ban of fireworks to be limited to certain days which means last night and tonight, fireworks are allowed but only between certain times and if no animals are present. The problem is that the by-laws are so vague and nearly impossible to enforce that they are a joke.

Last night, a neighbour decided to start letting off fireworks at 8pm, 2 hours before he was allowed. I sent a message to the neighbourhood WhatsApp group reminding them the by-laws and thankfully he stopped. But I had this gut feeling this wouldn’t be the end of it. And sure enough 10 minutes before the allowed time, he sent a high powered rocket across my bows.

Thankfully we had managed to coral our cats inside and locked the dogs inside their dog-house but that was enough as rocket after rocket exploded directly over our house in what seems to be a vindictive way. The cats were bouncing off the walls, they didn’t know which way to turn. I had to go outside and join the dogs inside their house to calm them down. The 2 Italian Greyhounds, Maxy and Jade, slept through the entire fireworks but it was the Podge, the Jack Russell and the pavement special Mr Wiggles who were terrified as the remains of the exploded fireworks fell onto the roof. Our new German/Belgium Shepherd puppy River Song was okay and Matthew took her out into the garden as the bangs exploded just over our heads.

A neighbour’s dog died from result of the fireworks but with no legal avenue to pursue, a lot of neighbours are angry and disgusted with the inconsiderate fool. As a result the local councillors have started a petition to force the City of Joburg to re-introduce the blanket ban, have a more stringent penalties and a better means of prosecuting.

But that was last night and a new blessed year has started and what way to start the new year off on the right foot, is for the family came over for a 3 roast lunch and a relaxing first day around the pool.