Page 40 - KBHA BULLETIN 4

37

The McCready Family

The McCready’s came to Kalk Bay in the late 1920s from Glasgow and later moved into the new

Douglas Cottage following the demolition of the original house in 1930. The McCready’s lived
here from 1932 to 1960. Mr. McCready was a keep-fit fanatic and he was supported by his

family. So when the early morning exercises were broadcast to the background piano music they
lined up in the lounge and did their thing; however, my lazy relatives next door in False Bay

Flats, the Malherbe’s, preferred to line up on their neighbouring stoep and simply amuse

themselves by watching the active McCready’s!!

The Gaunt Family

The warm summer wind brought to mind many emotions. For most people the first of these was

to head for the beach. In 1939 the young set were really enjoying that Joie de Vivre blissfully
unaware of a World War just over the horizon. It wasn’t only the locals who headed for the

beaches, many Transvaalers and Rhodesians regularly left the bleak High Veld and in car and
train headed for the South Peninsula.

Neville Gaunt, who was a regular visitor, recalls that he, his wife Adelaide and their two young
daughters undertook the long and tiring trip from Rhodesia every second year to reach Kalk Bay.

Neville had a demanding job as a District Commissioner and no doubt the peace of the village
and friendliness of the locals provided an oasis-like haven. He has warm memories of the

excellent holiday establishments and their hosts: Chartfield, The New King’s, Innisfail and
Castle Hill. The harbour activity as the boats came in, the fish being auctioned, the harbour

master Bob, Jimmy Bassios at the family café, and the beauty of Kalk Bay have all left

permanent cherished memories. Chatting to him I had the impression that the Gaunts and many,
many other visitors found an African Brigadoon in this village still linked to the past by its

Traditional Way of Life.

37