A Karoo Christmas Conspiracy

By Julienne du Toit

Photos by Chris Marais

Over November and December last year, we were flooded with enquiries and orders for the Karoo Roads Quartet as Christmas gifts. A mother in Dublin, Ireland, wanted to send her daughter in Jacobsbaai a Christmas gift.

Someone in Saskatoon in Canada said it was a balmy -5 deg C, everyone was in shorts, and how much would it cost to send the four books to Canada. Another enquiry came from someone on a ship sailing around Antarctic waters.

Of course we were drawn into dozens of Christmas gift conspiracies.

Some Friendly Spycraft

It is possible that humans are at their best when secretly plotting to give joy to someone they love. This year, more than most other years, our books were part of those many of those plots.

It felt like the most benign, low-tech kind of spycraft – switching to WhatsApps or different emails to keep secrets. Sending books to a friend down the road so that at the husband or wife would suspect nothing.

Best of all for this season of 2024, was this true story.

It was a conspiracy between Philip of Redhill, UK, and Charmaine of Fish Hoek, Cape Town. In the last week of November, they contacted me within hours of one another, one via email and the other via WhatsApp.

Charmaine Begins, Philip Goes Next

First to arrive was a message from Charmaine:

“I am looking for a copy of Karoo Roads: Tales from South Africa’s Heartland. I need it for one very homesick Afrikaner, living in the winter slush of Redhill, in the UK. Is there a copy in stock?”

I replied in the affirmative.

Hours later, I received this emailed enquiry from “Philip Grobler, England”:

“I would like to please place an order for The Karoo Quartet Special (Karoo Roads I – IV). This is to be a Christmas present for my friend, so please do not include an invoice or payment slip.”

There was no hint that these two readers were connected until a few days later when I noticed that the delivery address for Charmaine and Philip was the same, and put two and two together. This must be the homesick South African Charmaine had mentioned.

When the couriers sent an email to Charmaine, alerting her that a parcel was on its way, she contacted me in amazement. She hadn’t made the payment yet. I could not resist.

I emailed her back: “The parcel that is arriving is a gift from Philip Grobler.”

Her reply: “NOW I AM CONFUSED! Ch”

All-Round Delights

A few silent hours passed.

Then this:

“Good morning, Julie, from windy Fish Hoek!

The parcel – for me – has arrived and I am absolutely and utterly delighted with Philip’s gift!

A strangely ethereal “coincidence” has happened…I ordered the book for Philip on the same day that Philip made an order from me.  Neither of us being at all aware of the others’ intentions!  Bush telegraph/serendipity/tooth fairy at work?! Whatever! We had a good WhatsApp catch up this morning, and he looks forward to receiving Karoo Roads Volume I, once it gets to the UK in my friend’s suitcase!”

We found out that Philip’s and Charmaine’s friendship had spanned 35 years.

Shared Love for the Karoo

“We first met in Botswana and ever since, have shared a serious obsession with deserts, into-and-out-of-Africa 4×4 journeys, tinned Ambrosia Rice Puddings, and books.”

They obviously love the Karoo.

“It’s the infinity of it that holds the magic,” said Charmaine.

Philip sent an email “just to say how delighted I am at the serendipity and synchronicity of Charmaine’s mutual gifting of your books! What a wonderfully amazing universe we live in! You must have wondered what was going on … thanks for keeping the surprise secret!

All the very best to you and Chris.”

Karoo Roads I-IV, also known as The Karoo Quartet, is available for only R960 (including courier tariffs within South Africa). Contact co-author Julienne du Toit at julie@karoospace.co.za for details.