The return of Valet-V ...punctuality and professionalism par excellence.

It has been a while since my car has been on any long trips, meaning that since March 27th it has stood in the carport gathering dust in VAST quantities. I am almost too ashamed to actually show what the car looked like. Luckily, dirt does not really photograph well so the car looks cleaner than it actually was.

 

The rearview is probably the more representative of how dusty the car actually was. 

Then on the stroke of 09h00, the cavalry arrived in the form of Franck and Moses, who quickly unpacked the purpose-built pannier and set about getting ready to tackle 4 months worth of dust. And I think that they had smiles on their faces. It was difficult to tell what was going on behind their masks. (Specific time of arrival and staff can be requested and booked via the Valet-V app.)

No time for chit-chat, there was work to be completed. Lockdown for me meant that I did not have to be anywhere and I was able to let them carry on without nagging them about how long it would take. (This conventional wash method Ultimate-V service package took about 2 hours). 

Not quite the "wax on, wax off" of Mr Miyagi from Karate Kid, but they have a set routine using high-quality products that are designed to keep your vehicle cleaner for longer AND be kind to expensive paintwork. The company even offers a waterless cleaning option, should you want to be Eco-friendly.

With the polish easily seen in the morning sunlight, it was about to get labour intensive as the vehicle was polished by hand...and to the sound of country music playing on Francks mobile phone. I hosted a country music radio show for several years and it is my favourite genre of music. It also seems to make time pass quicker...or perhaps that is just my perception. Turns out, Nelson Mandela, also enjoyed the genre and would to listen to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton while on Robben Island. 

BEFORE

The only before close-up that I am prepared to share. On the odd occasions that I have gone to the shops during lockdown, I have been amazed that I was not stopped by JMPD for not being able to see out of the rear windscreen.

AFTER.

But that has changed post-cleaning and it is almost as if there IS no back window.

Every cm of the car was cleaned and inspected before the guys were ready to hand over the vehicle. A testament to their work ethic and the pride that they have in the completed product. 

Many thanks to both Franck and Moses(who will be heading up an operation in the East Rand) for making this 13-year-old car look like it had just rolled off the showroom floor.  

COVID-19 lockdown has seen our cars been driven less, but they tend to get dusty as they stand idle for long periods of time. However, with some sort of leisure travel allowed, we are going to be out and about shortly and much like a haircut and a beard trim makes me feel better, driving a sparkling clean vehicle does the same. Just a pity that a day after this clean, I got invited to visit two game parks near Johannesburg. Both facilities are self-drive and on dusty unpaved roads. But, that just gives me an excuse to have Valet-V back again. With Spring just around the corner, NOW might be the time to book YOUR appointment. Highly recommended for both punctuality and professionalism. 

Willem Dercksen, Biokineticist

The administration building of the new Pinnacle College in Linden, Johannesburg.

Where old meets new and the renovated buildings reflect the history

 of the original premises as well as the suburb in which they are situated. 

On the left of this open verandah is where the practice of 

biokineticist Willem Dercksen is located. 

Originally from Durban, Willem moved to Pretoria

to complete his studies at Tukkies. After travelling to 

 South Korea where he taught English for a year,

 he and his wife returned to South Africa in 2015 and settled in Linden.

Although Willem has worked at other practices, 

it was always his ambition to have his own.

When the headmaster of Pinnacle Colledge offered him a purpose-built facility

 at the school, he seized the opportunity with both hands.

I asked Willem what advantages biokinetics offered and this was his response:

"It enhances life through rehabilitative movement, designed specifically

to suit the needs of each patient".

Paperwork. The backbone of any practice. 

Keeping accurate records ensures that treatments

are consistent with achievable and recordable outcomes.

A view from the doorway.

This neat, purpose-built treatment room is well equipped

 and focuses on individual attention and treatment. 

Currently, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the early morning exercise classes

 and group activities that took place on the spacious sports fields of the College,

have been placed on hold.   

Willem has ensured that all the proper COVID-19 protocols

are in place so that both he and his patients are in a safe

and healthy environment. 

No matter what treatment regimen you are undergoing, you may have to pick up a pair at some point.

Kept neat and tidy, they are not intimidating to those who have not used weights before.

First-time patients might wonder why a stethoscope is required in a practice of this nature.

It plays an important role in allowing Willem to monitor blood pressure during treatments. 

Willem has a keen interest in functional sports training and is working together with the Executive Headmaster of Pinnacle College to achieve results with the learners when required.

He also has a special interest in geriatric care for the over 70-year olds.

This includes both men and women and he is able to

help them overcome mobility obstacles as well as fall prevention.

He also works in areas where patients have neurological issues

connected to nerve and spinal conditions. (e.g scoliosis)

Is Willem getting in some training for his next cycle ride?

Between patient sessions, Willem, a keen cyclist,

keeps himself fit in this corner of his practice.

Wanting to promote breast cancer awareness, 

Willem cycled from Krugersdorp to Botswana in 3 days. 

Although he did the ride alone, he had a support team 

 with him for the duration of the ride.

This was a positive way in which to both raise

awareness and money for a worthwhile cause.

To find out more about the practice contact Willem via the following:

email: wdbiokineticist@gmail.com

mobile number: 076 870 8031

He can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

For your peace of mind the practice is registered with:

HPCSA, BASA and LSG Insurance.

Linden welcomes him to our suburb and wishes him well with his practice.

Both the practice and Pinnacle College have made certain

that all  Government regulations and relevant protocols regarding 

the various lockdown levels and safety precautions are being adhered to.

Spic and span with SunShineGirls Cleaning.

If you, like us, thought you were cleaning your home correctly during lockdown,

think again...

Our housekeeper has been in quarantine at her home in KZN since March 

and little did we understand about what we would need to do

 to keep up with the standards that she had set for us over the past 17 years.

Then we discovered Amanda and her company, SunShineGirls Cleaning.

Luckily, despite the length of the lockdown, we have not needed

 her crime scene cleaning expertise!

We had been cleaning the basics, like sweeping and vacuuming etc,

but the windows, like ironing, were a problem for me.

Not so for the  SunShineGirls Cleaning crew,

who, in next to no time, had all 22 windows sparkling clean.

Our home was not THIS dirty that mushrooms were growing inside.

But there was a patch in the garden that turned out to be inedible.

Seeing  that we are still in lockdown, masks and sanitization

of the staff is required and the guys did exactly that.

With the re-opening of businesses under Alert Level 3,

there are going to be many businesses that will require specialized cleaning

as they might have been closed since March.

Homes too I should imagine would like to emerge from Levels 5 and 4

like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.

Now is YOUR opportunity to literally sweep away the cobwebs

and start Active Level 3 and hopefully Level 2

with a fresh new outlook.

Amanda educated both my wife and me on proper cleaning products

and even on what we need to have in stock to keep our house

looking good and smelling fresh.

All the equipment was left out in the garden when it was not in use.

Who knew that I could get SO excited about seeing this many buckets

on our lawn...

This was saved for last and was used to bring our kitchen floor

back to life.

SunShineGirls have the correct tool for every job,

so no need to use the proverbial butter-knife as a screwdriver.

Each room was assessed and then the relevant cleaning equipment was utilized.

Let the cleaning begin.

All correct protocols were followed as per Government guidelines

as laid out for COVID-19.

The devil is in the detail...

All the visible toilet rolls were folded and labelled so that

we felt as if we were in a guest house.

It might seem like a small detail,

but it added a professional touch that we were not expecting.

Just to prove that there is gender equality amongst the team!

For some reason, the granite surfaces in the kitchen attract dirt faster than you can say "banana loaf".

But once again Amanda showed us the correct products to use

and how to clean the surfaces correctly.

The final area to be cleaned in our home was the kitchen floor.

We thought it was clean as it is had been swept and washed

 on a regular basis pre-lockdown.

We were proved wrong and this machine and the correct 

cleaning fluid made short work of grime that we did not even know existed.

This is the post-cleaning legacy that Amanda left behind...

Amanda gave us a list of recommended products before she left

and, as you can see, our cupboard is now well-stocked. 

Making certain that we maintain her suggested cleaning regime

will make certain that her time in our home was well spent and

that her services would have a long-lasting effect.

We are continuing to keep our home both clean and hygienic

on a weekly basis, a tribute to the excellent work that

  SunShineGirls Cleaning carried out.

If you want your home or office premises to sparkle like a new pin,

then I highly recommend that you call in Amanda and her team.

All the Government regulations regarding 

the various Levels and safety precautions were followed.

Permits are in place should you need to see the relevant documentation.

Rembrandt Slaghuis/Butchery. An iconic landmark in Linden.

Rembrandt Slaghuis/Butchery is one of the oldest retail businesses in Linden.

Much like Arthur Bales, Millies and the much-missed Yugo Stores,

Oom Ross and his staff have been serving Linden

and the surrounding areas for the best part of four decades.

Situated on 4th Avenue, near the corner of 8th Street,

this butchery is at the heart of our wonderful, friendly suburb.

Although situated in a big city,

this well-loved slaghuis would be at home in any small town in South Africa.

I have always maintained that Linden is a small Karoo town,

that just happens to have Johannesburg close by.

The friendly staff taking time out (pre-lockdown) to huddle together for a photo.
During lockdown, all the correct health and safety procedures are being followed.
Luckily the staff have nametags sewn onto their overalls
so that you can identify them behind their masks.
The staff have an old-fashioned view of service
which is a breath of fresh air in modern society.
Even during lockdown they are courteous and helpful.

While waiting to place your order, there is so much to investigate and explore.

A first time customer might be overwhelmed by all that is on display,

but on closer inspection, you will realise that many of the items are a testament to

show just how much Oom Ross is loved and respected by the community that he serves.

One wall is almost filled with pictures of himself and his family

and if he has time he will tell you about them.

As they are prominently placed near the biltong, 

it is hard not to take a moment to stop and have a look.

There is a LOT of rugby memorabilia that covers most of the wall space.

And if you are not a Cheetah supporter, best keep that to yourself

if you are going to be discussing sport.

Normally a TV in a corner of the shop

 will be broadcasting whatever the match of the day is.

It is said that you should never go shopping when you are hungry,

and the delicious aroma of cooking meat in the early morning

will make you want to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal with the staff. 

We do not eat a lot of meat in our household,

but we do enjoy a braai on a regular basis.

Some lekker lamb chops that will find a way onto our plates...

Boerewors can divide opinions faster than Usain Bolt can complete the 100m.

Most of my friends have a personal favourite when it comes to this 'comfort food'.

However, I have been able to convert a few of them

to believe that Rembrandt wors is the best of the non-commercial products available. 

Wors is to men what Prada is to women.

I know that is a generalization so in the spirit of equality,

 I chatted to a couple of female butchers to get their thoughts

on what is predominantly a male domain.

Their insights were, well, insightful as they saw the playing fields as almost being level.

 It is often the women who actually buy the meat and the men just do the cooking

and claim to know their coriander from their cloves.

This image makes me want to head outside to light a fire.

Chops and wors, do you really need anything else?

Ready to be served...

It might seem that I have focussed on the wors and chops aspect

of what the butchery can supply.

But suffice to say that they can offer you almost every cut of meat.

From the tongue to tail and most cuts in between. 

If you are tired of the same cut of meat, 

then ask any of the butchers on duty to suggest something different.

The shop is open during lockdown and rather than buying

from a supermarket, why not support local and try Rembrandt? 

There are many people within our suburb who are struggling

financially due to the current lockdown.

Do you have someone in mind that you would like to help?

 Ask Oom Ross about the packages that he can put together.

You pay and designate a recipient that you wish it to be delivered to.

Support local, support Linden.

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