Women doing what they know best

 I am now driving what could be the slowest car in the world – hard to press it over 60km/hour – but I was accused of not stopping at a stop street opposite Bridge Spar. In the first place the car is virtually stationery even in top gear – and secondly it is almost impossible to turn that corner without stopping. But how do you argue? As far as I was concerned I stopped. The police didn’t agree – and I was pulled over at a roadblock 50 metres from the corner.
Actually I would be pleased if these roadblocks were preventing increasingly careless driving in the city. Many cars ignore stop streets, and drive blithely through red lights. Samora Machel Ave is often total chaos.  Vehicles double park in the left lane causing congestion for blocks behind, a twin cab – only sign of life the flashing hazard lights  – was abandoned in the middle of the right hand lane near the Jameson and combis push their way across the flow of traffic at every intersection. Somehow drivers    seem to think that activating the hazard lights conveys some kind of immunity. Countless times I see cars, hazard lights flashing, actually accelerating to drive through an intersection with non-working robots.      What do drivers do? Close their eyes, press the red triangle and proceed without caution seems the order of the day.
Needless to say, there is not a policeman in sight to ease the flow midtown – whereas back at my roadblock on the Teviotdale Road three police officers become engaged in my misdemeanour. The first woman pulls me over and shaking her finger at me says I didn’t stop, demands my driving licence and then asks for US$20. I ask her to write out the ticket and she refuses – saying ‘money first!’ Hello! 
My insistence brings a second woman into the fray who makes what appears to be a threat “Now you will have to talk to the big man.” Who is big – but not that threatening.  He writes the ticket – I pay – but not before he has attempted to flirt with me and asked for a drink. Rumour has it that police get bonuses for every US$1?000 they raise in fines. I really hope this isn’t true – but certainly most road blocks seem more about harassment than road safety.
A safer haven is the Queen of Hearts on Enterprise Road – where I sampled their buffet lunch. A joint venture between three young women friends, the newly refurbished house has a real feminine touch with a light, airy welcoming atmosphere. Currently open from 9am to 430 – they offer healthy herbal teas, good coffee and cakes and a buffet lunch from 12 to 2pm.
The lovely spread included home made gnocchi, prawns in a tasty sauce and a variety of imaginative salads – all fresh and nicely dressed accompanied by homemade bread. Arriving after 1pm we found some dishes were finished. My friend grabbed the last piece of salmon but we were both too late for meatballs. One can choose from three different size plates – King (US$15) including coffee and cake, Queen (US$10 including coffee) or Jack  US$5 for a small snack plate. It’s a good idea. We went for the queen size and chose orange cake (US$2) to go with our coffee
Everything is pretty and fresh and the food very tasty. The garden still needs some pulling together and an ordinary white sugar bowl looked very out of place accompanying the delicate coffee cups. (We left it out of the photo!)
Lunch for two including complimentary iced tea was US$22. I will definitely be back.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com