After John and Jen Cruickshank exchanged vows in 1965 in the oldest wooden church in the world, they honeymooned in Greece before hitchhiking through Europe.
Sixty years later, their lives are still shaped by a shared love of nature, the open road and each other. Now living at Thornhill Manor retirement village, the couple recently celebrated their diamond anniversary surrounded by family, friends and a community that has become an extension of their journey.
Their life together reads like an epic travelogue: from Cape Town to the UK and back, from off-road caravanning through Namibia to quiet walks in Modderfontein’s conservation reserve, their story is one of constant movement and connection to the world around them.
Asked about the secret to their long union, they say: “Hang in there. For better and for worse… work together, give and take, and enjoy life as a team.”
That spirit of teamwork has carried them through six decades, proving that love, like a good hike, is often about weathering the elements and stopping to enjoy the view.
A journey across continents
Both born in England and brought to South Africa by their families after World War II, John and Jen were raised in the Cape and eventually met at the University of Cape Town. Jen later returned to London to train as a physiotherapist, and John followed to expand his career in insurance. The two were married in St Andrews, Greensted, believed to be the oldest wooden church in the world, on March 25, 1965.
By 1966, their path led back to South Africa, this time to Johannesburg.
Royal recognition
Their diamond anniversary was made all the more special by a letter of congratulations from King Charles and Queen Camilla. Delivered by courier just before Easter, the royal message was orchestrated in secret by their daughter, who spent over a year gathering documents and navigating royal protocol. The surprise left them ‘gob-smacked’ and deeply touched.
Life on the open road
The couple’s shared passion for exploring southern Africa by caravan is legendary. Over the past 25 years, they’ve traversed deserts, coastlines and flower-strewn valleys, often in their 4×4 or their beloved off-road caravan ‘Crusty’. One unforgettable trip in 2006 took them through Botswana and Namibia and down to Cape Town. The nine-week odyssey involved everything from wild camping to battery breakdowns.
Even during the Covid-19 lockdowns, they found ways to keep the spirit of travel alive, camping in their own garden at Thornhill Manor to shake off cabin fever.
A community that feels like home
Their ties to Thornhill Manor run deep. Jen, a long-time physiotherapist with Rand Aid, helped establish physio departments in various villages. When the time came to retire, they chose their cottage at Thornhill Manor, moving in just as the community was forming in 2003.
Now, 22 years later, they’re fixtures of village life. Jen leads aquarobics in the summer and helps craft recycled greeting cards for fellow residents. John is known for lighting his backyard firepit on fine evenings, drawing neighbours for conversation and wine under the stars. Together, they’ve hosted street parties, enjoyed dinner dances, and found fulfilment in the friendships that make Thornhill Manor more than just a place to live.
Their love of the outdoors has always played a central role in their relationship. From hiking trails with their children and grandchildren to John’s involvement in developing walking paths in the nearby conservation area, their lives have been shaped by a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Jen and John: Gobsmacked at the letter of congratulations sent to them from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
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