MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A couple on holiday in Hartenbos all the way from Australia described themselves as "ecstatic" after their lost wedding and engagement rings were found by a Mossel Bay resident and his two young sons yesterday afternoon, 28 December.
The couple, Eddie and Elaine du Plessis, who have been living in Australia for the last nine years, arrived in Hartenbos with their young daughter on Saturday, 27 December to visit Eddie's family and on Sunday they visited Hartenbos Beach.
Eddie said they were at the beach from 10:00 until about 15:00 yesterday but it was only when they arrived home that they realised the rings were gone.
"We think what might have happened is that my wife took the rings off and put them in her lap to put sunscreen on our daughter and then they fell into the sand," said Eddie.
"We first looked all over the house and when we couldn't find it, we knew it was likely at the beach."
He said he and his brothers went back to the beach and looked through the sand without any luck.
"My wife was extremely upset. I thought that the only way to find the rings would be with a metal detector. That is when my mother, Therina du Plessis, suggested we post about the lost rings on Facebook. She said there were a few people around who had detectors."
Michael de Nobrega captured the following footage of him and his sons finding the rings
Eddie said that within minutes of making the post, Hartenbos local Michael de Nobrega replied and said he would meet them at the beach that very afternoon.
De Nobrega said he and his two sons, Miguel (9) and Mason (6), grabbed the metal detector and set off for the beach where they met Eddie.
Eddie said he didn't want to get his hopes up but after a few minutes, the wedding band was found, and then the engagement ring.
"My wife and I are ecstatic to have it back. We really experienced just how friendly the people of Hartenbos and Mossel Bay are," said Eddie.
De Nobrega said he and his sons are very happy they were able to reunite the couple with the rings.
Eddie said that De Nobrega declined his offer of a reward however, De Nobrega said the couple did tip Miguel R100 for which he is very grateful.
He said he hoped Eddie and Elaine enjoy the rest of their holiday.
Click here to see De Nobrega's full post.
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