Magnificent Mountains and old Friends

Leaving Bethulie I headed towards Golden Gate via the back roads. Wide open spaces take on a whole new meaning. I think I passed 4 cars in the first hour. Distracted by flocks of nesting swallows and other visual delights I took ages to get to Glen Reenen camp site. The campsite is nestled in the valley of the impressive sandstone cliffs. Unfortunately the road is open 24 hours, despite being a park, so there is constant traffic spoiling the ambiance. I spent my first night in Florence and nearly froze my butt off. I was so grateful for Rene’s shawl at 4am.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The next morning I stopped at the vulture hide. Nothing. As I was leaving, the parks bakkie pulled up with a bloated sheep as an offering. I waited a while, the crows were 1st to arrive. Eventually I left and was treated to a fly by on my way down the hill. Cape and Bearded Vultures, on their way to the dinner table.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Next stop, “The Berg”. Yes it does deserve “The”title. On my to do list was an afternoon concert at the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Odd, perhaps, but inspired by the memory of Jamie Demetriou being sent off from little old Fort Vic back in the 70’s to sing his heart out, it needed checking out. It’s a pretty left of center place but the kids seemed to be loving every minute of performing. Seems the modern Moms are still happy to ship their little angles off. I sat next to a Mom from White river, others from as far afield as Namibia, Botswana and even Melbourne!

Time to connect with old friends. Those of you who watch Grey’s will understand the term , my person. Well Colin was my person for the first 12 years of my life. We are born 2 weeks apart and in true Zim fashion it was expected that we be best friends. Well that’s pretty easy when the person is kind, easy going and fun. Colin and I spent hours playing in the the park next to their house while our Moms drank tea and nattered. We dreamed of what we’d be, mostly based on our favourite TV programme, Skippy the bush kangaroo. Colin was to be the pilot and I would be the flying Dr. Well we nearly made it. Colin has his own little plane , for work of course, and I’m a Primary Health Nurse.

• 

• 

• 

• 

I spent the next 3 days with Colin and Kerry in the farming community of Bergville and Winterton. Clouds had closed in on The Berg so instead of trekking I drove around Kerry’s family farms and delighted in the smell of manure and cattle. I think her brother thought I’d lost it when I stood, surrounded by his magnificent Brangus cattle, tears streaming down my smiling face . What a treat.

Next lesson how to remove the irritating olympus branding from the photos……………………#learningcurve