Thank You!

Psalm 34:5-7 (New International Version)
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Well... after a about year our trials are over... well actually the trail part never realized but it was a trail in the other sense of the word. I am thankful that common sense prevailed in the end. Lessons were learnt and as always good has come out of this. I am now able to say with conviction that God listens to prayer. The amazing part was that even though things were sometimes not looking good I never doubted what the outcome would be. I learned to trust and lay my troubles in His hands... He promised to look after them so that I would not have to.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."
1 Chronicles 16:8 (New International Version)

Men are such losers

Especially men that leave a woman in the lurch like over at Scully's place. I think there is a special place in heaven for women that give up their babies for adoption when they realise that they would not be able to provide for them otherwise. There is a special place in hell for the loser men though.
I was going to finish my missive but after reading her story I think there is more editing to be done before I can publish it, I keep running across a blog or something on the Internet that spurs me to add more to it as these words I read have a way of making me want to add or redact the ideas I have. So bear with me as I apply some more time to the musings of a gentleman... it sort of has to do with being one.
Part of being a gentleman is to help when asked for advice or expertise and as a few people have asked me how things work blog wise I have cobbled a blog together to do just that. I hope RobC's Blogbashing Guide may be of assistance to some of those bloggers out there that are not as techno savvy as I am. I will be putting up the first guide on how to create a blog roll in Blogger using the Customise option. KatieB has been invited to join the team by the way. As a woman and newish blogger I think she will be a good sounding board for the blog and I am sure she has at least a hand full of questions too.
I leave you withe the lyrics from Mark Owen's song Child...
Sleep peacefully now my child
I hope that you go away
To a place where your dreams can play
Wipe all the tears from your eyes
There is a sky of blue
This is your time of truth

Like a bird high on the wind
May you fly away
Like a snowfall in the spring
may you cares melt away
Child, innocent child
our hope lies inside
your starry eyes
my innocent child

Hero, now that you are free
You have no need to fear
so go out and find your smile
Like a candle in the stream
May you float away
Like a feather on the breeze
May you blow away

Like a candle,
Like a snowfall
Like a feather
like a bird:fly away
Like a candle,
like a snowfall
like a feather
like a bird..fly away

Sleep peacefully now my child
I hope that you go away
to a place where you dreams can play
"The first duty to children is to make them happy, If you have not made them so, you have wronged them, No other good they may get can make up for that." Charles Buxton

Hearing the silence on a good day

Today, Spring Day in the southern hemisphere by the way, KatieB, myself and B had a mini adventure, we had a picnic at Soetdoring game reserve, not much game was seen but we were able to hear the silence out in the wilds...We did see a lot of Guinea fowl and a few buck, plenty plovers and an eagle as well as a hawk, most were too fast for the camera... drat. Some of the smallest things amazed us as well, there was this beetle, about the size of a full stop that had the most iridescent colour. Truly amazing how even the smallest creature was able to show the wonder of nature.
We also heard other noises in the bush but decided to let whatever was making the ruckus do it in peace...
The food was also excellent even though I say so myself, nothing beats dining alfresco in nature.
So I say thank you to my co adventurers for taking me away from the rush of the city to the peace of the veld, next time the Lion enclosure will hopefully be open and we can get some pictures of the mighty beasts...
Driving back Matt White's song Best Days was playing and I realised that we are living some of the best days of our lives, even with all the glitches and accidents. It is an attitude... and may this be the best September ever. I could not find a video with Matt but this one is quite well done and at least you can hear the song...

[via FoxyTunes / Soundtrack]Best Days - Matt White

Best Days - Matt White

Every time I look at you
You always look so beautiful
Driving on the road again

And I would take some photographs
So I can dream of you

Can't say I've felt such a twisting in my heart this
way
We get sleeping while you stay awake
so close to you

Do you believe
In love at first sight
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my life

Can't take away those times
We stayed in bed and talked all night
Chain smokes of cigarettes and
Three bottles of red wine
Falling asleep together
Holding your body close to mine

Oh and in the morning
Your eyes opened so innocent
The sun is blazing we are sweating
You look lovely
Nothing else matters and you're
In my arms again

Do you believe
In love at first sight
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life

Oh I never wanna be without you
So just stay with me
I will love you endlessly

Oh darling, darling
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life

Do you believe
In love at first sight
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my life
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life
Not much to add after that...
"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens." Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

The secret is revealed

No not That Secret

... the secret of the origin of blogging that is...

HT to AD who found it on Mostly Cajun. It sure looks familiar.
I have been good an kept my foot/leg/half dead feeling appendage elevated all day, now if the feeling would just get back I may sort of feel in one piece again. It is funny having an out of body experience with only one appendage... gives new meaning to the word "missing parts".
Another secret that was revealed today was while I was reading a blog discussion on the use of the death sentence, one commenter then dragged in the issue of abortion. My feelings in the matter is that capital punishment is not an archaic punishment and should be exercised by the State in cases of violent crime, but things got nasty when some said that we only become alive when born... I feel it is at conception and as such feel abortion is murder, then I read this;
"The Lord called me before my birth. From within the womb he called me by my name...He said to me, `You are my servant'..." (Isaiah 49:1,3 TLB) and "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).
That is something I had never considered, God knew me before I was even born, that is so awesome! let that thought carry us through this week. It also confirmed that I am right concerning abortion...
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)

I am soooooo busted

Today has been one of the most amazing days... I will also be shot by my doctor if he hears about it too.
Last week part of my system went missing and we found that no one had taken into account that my system's cables also ran through the new computer lab site... so when this happened we we quickly applied Occam's razor and had new cable ordered and arranged for installation asap... but in the meantime I went and had my skid.
So this morning the techie phones and asked me where the cable must be put in... I ended up on site and together we sorted out the new installation. I thought it would be a quick hour at the most then I could be back home again.
In the meantime my assistant came down with a bad case of flu with side effects of gastritis... not good, so a lady who has no idea of how our two jobs are done gets thrown into the pool.
I just could not leave her to the tender mercy of the sharks and spent the better part of the morning till way past lunch giving her a crash course to hold the fort until my assistant gets back. As I have been booked off till the end of September myself it is going to be interesting to see how things work out... maybe my request for more staff will be considered this time?
As I was explaining the last few details to her who walks in but KatieB... With a smile and a "And just what are you doing here?" look, I was busted... at least she took me home and gave me a wonderful foot rub and the keys to her castle as we browsed the blogs we like together. Thanks again for being my best friend, I really enjoy your company as well, nay, sometimes I crave it. We never seem to exhaust the variety of topics but sometimes just being together not saying anything is like a symphony.
I believe having someone that you can talk and listen to without fear is one of the most amazing gifts one can have in life and should be cherished both in good times and in bad. We sure are having our fair share of variety at present.
"Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for." Earl Warren (1891 - 1974)

I stand in awe when I see the works of Thy hands.

“Our Father Which Art in Heaven,” “Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power,and the Glory, For Ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9,13, KJV
When I saw this picture on The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth I just had to put it up and use it as the theme for today, I am today putting in electronic format the thanks I have been expressing to God for my recent holiday and all that went before and after it. The wonderful people I met that helped me in one way or another, the people that let me into their lives in some way or another and the wonders He let me experience, it was a life changing experience in so many ways. His gift to me has been that I will never again doubt that anything cannot be done and that we should always face a challenge, with Him on our side who can be against us.
Since getting back quite a few challenges have been put in my path but I believe that they will be overcome in a miraculous way, not that the physical means have not been provided either, that already has been amazing.

My ideas for an Adventuring Company will become reality, that I am sure of as well, the books I have come across since I started thinking of this have been both inspirational and an affirmation that I am not crazy.

I have also had this thought that whatever form the Adventure idea takes will have to include a way of uplifting the people we come across in the process, whether it be just being a witness to their lives or influencing them to aspire to achieve their dreams as we are. That would be the real reward.

Pray - Tina Cousins

What a miracle is life
the fields are high and fruit is ripe
so hold out your hands
yeah, hold out your hands

And you're the same as me
you breathe the air I breathe
and we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
And pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

We all see the same sun
each day a golden praise is sung
to the wonder of man
yeah, the wonder of man
And when we look why can't we see
all the riches that are free
oh we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
And pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

[via FoxyTunes / Tina Cousins]

The song sums up my feelings remarkably, I may have put the lyrics up before but they just fit with the theme... Video insertion thanks to my newest toy on Firefox called FoxyTunes a "remote" for your browser that controls your media player, Winamp in my case... it is absolutely awesome. While listening to a song you can search for everything related to the song, I mean everything! It is also available for IE... if you have to that is... Isn't Technology wonderful? Another gift we should be grateful for.
"Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember." Oscar Levant (1906 - 1972)

Chilly August Night

As a counterpoint to Neil Diamond's concert and album, today was a miserable windy day and the weather forecast is even bleaker... thank goodness the bad weather has lifted somewhat in our lives though. I believe that it is partly due to the fact that I will not let bad things bring me down and make me start worrying, I hand the worry part over to my Problem Solver. He has a way of sorting things out in amazing ways.
We on Earth should also be thankful we do not have Martian weather, at present there are planet wide dust storms raging, I cannot imagine that here, we are blessed to have this Blue Dot to call our home. We should learn to look after it better but also keep in mind that a lot we see these days is not caused by our hand, sometimes that big old glowing ball in the sky gets a bit brighter... and heats up the whole Solar system...
Enough of that... I am so glad the KatieB's friend M was only shaken up in the crash that totalled his bakkie today, I really believe that a Guardian Angel had a hand in that close shave as well, another thing to say thank you for today!
Coming back to the title, my favourite song from Neil's album Hot August Night is Sweet Caroline, here are the words...
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Where it began, I can't begin to know when
But then I know it's growing strong
Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along

Hands, touching hands, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined to believe it never would

And now I, I look at the night, whooo
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two, oh
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you

Oh, one, touching one, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
Oh I've been inclined to believe it never would

Ohhh, sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good
Funny how some of this songs words are sort of relevant to my current friendship, KatieB has been around in my motocross life circle since more or less when I started this blog but we have only recently really connected, sometimes you miss the tree for the woods I suppose but sooner or later you notice the one that has always been there like an Oak, dependable and strong. Sorry... that is not a good analogy at all for the lady in question! But I think she will understand what I mean. She has the knack to read my mind...
Oh the life circle idea? That is the circle of friends and acquaintances one has in one's life at work and play... Someting I may blog about one day, I have added it as a label so I suppose I am commited to do so some time?
"One of the things about being a grown-up is learning how to act right even when you feel wrong." Sean Stewart, Perfect Circle, 2004

Worthy

In a conversation via e-mail the subject of being worthy came up, this has been in my mind a while and I think today I will explain how I have come to believe that every person is worthy of not only respect from other people but that God deems them worthy.
I have this picture that was given to me during one of my times of self doubt. So here goes...
We all see the universe slightly differently because we all experience God differently but He is so concerned about every soul that He is able to be with each and every person as if it were that only they, God and the universe exists. Time and space do not exist to God as it does with us, he is able to be with everyone as if there was no time or distance. This to me is so amazing, this shows that His love is all encompassing and that He wants the best for all of us.
This love was manifest in His Son Jesus who came to remove the barrier of sin, guilt and remorse that we build up around us for things we have done as sinners. Because of this, we are once again connected on a one on one basis with God and His Universe he created for us so that we may know of His love for us. I believe that once a person realises this truth they can be the person that God intended, still a frail human but with the power that created all we see and all unseen by your side, how then can you not feel worthy or doubt that anything is not possible and that dreams cannot be fulfilled?
I do not claim to have all the answers but this one thing I know... God loves me... and you.
Phew... I do not usually talk about this in my blog but just feel that I had to say it, as I have experienced His love in my life in a very personal but amazing way and that I would truly be lost if I had not acknowledge that I needed Him to sit beside me every day. I am no Bible verse expert, I do not claim to be a regular worshipper nor am I a Holy man but I feel His presence with me every moment of my life and I can clearly see how this has shaped my views and life to date.
Today I close with more than one quote from people that I believe had the same vision I have been given...
"They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse." Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997
"When a man takes one step toward God, God takes more steps toward that man than there are sands in the worlds of time." The Work of the Chariot
"Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God." Michele Shea
"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for." Terry Lynn Taylor
"It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him." Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Plumbtucker

I feel like a beaver that has just completed a huge dam wall... tired but satisfied with a job well done... Thanks KatieB your team was great! Anton, the track was awesome. The medics were top notch! The riders that pitched up were great sports. All in all a MX race of note... the ones that were not there are the poorer for not going to the trouble to race. I hope the word goes out that the race was Megalicious! Hope KatieB posts some pictures as I was just too busy.
Since KatieB enjoyed the song so much from "Sabbatical" here are the words to Here With Me by Dido;

I didn't hear you leave, I wonder how am I still here,
I don't want to move a thing, it might change my memory
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me
I don't want to call my friends, they might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed, risk forgetting all that's been
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me.
The afforementioned playlist is rather long, so tonight I am dispensing with posting it, maybe as a post of it's own.
So to bed I go... satisfied with life and the Universe as it is... Thankful to my Creator that He willed it so...

"The enemy came. He was beaten. I am tired. Goodnight." Vicomte Turenne, Message sent after the battle of Dunen, 658

Secrets and lies

Well the only lie is that there are no lies in this posting (that is oxymoronic) but the title just sounded good. Sometimes when one picks up a book in a bookstore you just know that you have to have it, so it was this evening on my way home. I stopped off at the Mall to get some Steers burgers and while waiting I popped in to Exclusive Books... saw that the new PopMech mag was out and then I saw the book... it lay beckoning... waiting to be opened and skimmed through... it had weight, far more than a book that size should have, like it contained a secret treasure waiting to be discovered... was it worth buying? Only time will tell if the secret of The Secret is revealed, so tonight it is me with the three B's... ummm no not Beer/Blonde/Book... but Book/Book/Bottle, hot water bottle that is plus my very own copy of Race to Dakar. The inspiration for my Big Dream , plus 3 cats as well... it is chilly and they usually come and pin me down on cold nights, not that I mind, having 3 living hot water bottles has it's advantages on crisp nights like tonight... Must try and get Long way Round as well...
L has been laid low by the winter bugs... so far I seem ummune and I ask for it to stay so each day, I hate having a cold or the flu, I would rather wrestle with a pack of wild boars thanks! I hope the meds start working soon, so glad she enjoyed the burger, I take that as a good sign. Gotta make some salad again tomorrow with plenty of sweet peppers, they have more Vit. C than citrus, especially the red or yellow ones...
Yesterday I also revealed a secret of sorts, albeit with much trepidation but in so doing got an answer that I had already known but having it confirmed today made me realise that by communicating with my whole being and with all tools available life becomes so much easier, both for myself and people I care deeply about. Looking back I can see I have made some progress in this thing called communication, something us men find so hard to do, we would rather go out "Hunting". More about that metaphor one day maybe, KatieB laid it out so well for me. Now where is that bow and arrow?
I just hope my communication tomorrow with the powers that be at MSA bear the same fruit.
This all reminds me of this song from yesteryear... 1983 in fact.

Talking In Your Sleep - Romantics
(Jimmy Marinos/Wally Palmar/Mike Skill/Coz Canler/Peter Solley)
When you close your eyes and go to sleep
And it's down to the sound of a heartbeat
I can hear the things that you're dreaming about
When you open up your heart and the truth comes out
CHORUS
You tell me that you want me
You tell me that you need me
You tell me that you love me
And I know that I'm right
Cuz I hear it in the night
I hear the secrets that you keep
When you're talking in your sleep
When I hold you in my arms at night
Don't you know you're sleeping in a spotlight
And all your dreams that you keep inside
You're telling me the secrets that you just can't hide
CHORUS
When you close your eyes and you fall asleep
Everything about you is a mystery
CHORUS

KatieB will appreciate the quote and yes, I am learning to tame the storm in my heart with sunscreen for my soul... communication, I really enjoyed our conversation this evening, there is an adventure in each one we have. No more Tsunamis for now... just a gentle brook running over pebbles, the water of communication gently shaping them as they rub against each other. Did I just write that? I think that is a keeper...
"The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart." Saint Jerome (374 AD - 419 AD)
PS - Very wierd... can only put 200 characters in the labels field... have I got too many labels now?

Keys to the Keep

It has been two days and I need a vacation! Tomorrow I have to go tell my new boss that I need 3 new screens... yep, one packed up earlier this year, one packed up while on leave and the other one went berserk today. It keeps on flashing between a pink hue and normal plus everything seems out of focus... this is the one I use for my PC at home so it is mine! I brought it to the office while the first one went in to be diagnosed and I have been waiting since for the upper Echelon to decide if I should or not get a new screen... I will not bring my new flat screen from home! My work laptop also died just before I went on leave... it needs a new power brick... so I cannot use that as a backup machine... eish! I feel like a gardener that has just broken the rake handle, bent the spade and broken the fork's tines... toofless and tool less!
So this evening I took Shrek for a short ride to de-stress and the clock went over to 4006 kilos! Will be needing that second service pretty soon by the way I am putting on kilometres.
Taking a break today I visited Danette's new blog and one of her missives on what happens to blogs when people pass on made me decide to hand over a set of keys to someone I trust. I don't want those left behind having to fight to get hold of things like what happened to Gut Rumbles. I want a smooth transition for those remaining behind... so to speak. So henceforth you will notice another name under "Contributors", my friend and fellow Adventurer KatieB. Please feel free to re arrange the furniture my dear... but leave the couch where it is... the cats are wont to lie on it in the late afternoon sun...
I also started to put into motion another dream... albeit a very tentative step but as they say, every journey starts with the first step. One has to start somewere you know, may as well be a virtual adventure at first.
KatieB sent me a text message or 2 while I was registering the domain... but I think I may have answered her in a distracted way... sorry for that, I can't multitask like she can. Even Winamp has been playing a very disjointed selection but at least one was appreciated, I always used to code to Vangelis and Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria is 13 odd minutes of his music.
If you have visited my fellow adventurer's blog and read her expose on the word Adventure you may smile reading this closing quote... we are planning to go pulling some beards.
"When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers". Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

Duct Tape for the Soul

I still have a score to settle with that Cherub, he and Murphy are on my hit list... but I know the crush is over and I have a friend for life. As Dr Phil says "What were you thinking", must have been all that wind in my ears the last two weeks! They say the wind whispers and puts ideas in our heads...
As I sat pondering our last conversation this played over the headphones:

All I Really Want - Alanis Morrisette

Do I stress you out
My sweater is on backwards and inside out
And you say how appropriate
I don't dissect everything today
I don't mean to pick you apart you see
But I can't help it
There I go jumping before the gunshot has gone off
Slap me with a splintered ruler
And it would knock me to the floor if I wasn't there already
If only I could hunt the hunter

And all I really want is some patience
A way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want is deliverance
Do I wear you out
You must wonder why I'm so relentless and all strung out
I'm consumed by the chill of solitary
I'm like Estella
I like to reel it in and then spit it out
I'm frustrated by your apathy
And I am frightened by the corrupted ways of this land
If only I could meet the Maker

And I am fascinated by the spiritual man
I am humbled by his humble nature
What I wouldn't give to find a soulmate
Someone else to catch this drift
And what I wouldn't give to meet a kindred
Enough about me, let's talk about you for a minute
Enough about you, let's talk about life for a while
The conflicts, the craziness and the sound of pretenses
Falling all around...all around
Why are you so petrified of silence
Here can you handle this?

Did you think about your bills, your ex, your deadlines
Or when you think you're gonna die
Or did you long for the next distraction
And all I need know is intellectual intercourse
A soul to dig the hole much deeper
And I have no concept of time other than it is flying
If only I could kill the killer

All I really want is some peace man
a place to find a common ground
And all I really want is a wavelength
All I really want is some comfort
A way to get my hands untied
And all I really want is some justice...

The song sort of put in perspective all the chaotic amazing things I have experienced these last few weeks, well sort of... the "apathy" line is pure bull... but the one about dropping pretenses is true... This got me realising that more than once my music collection has pulled me from the brink of some chasm or another and helped me resolve this thing we call life, duct tape for the soul of sorts. That and my three manuals, The Book and two sets of lists for life...
It is true that music soothes the troubled soul. Whoever discovered that was a genius... I think that person lives on as Winamp!
The following poem from the website link sums up my thoughts up perfectly.

Musical Healing
by Kate Clifford

I grasp upon musical notes to save my tortured soul.
Tortured by the anguish I have allowed into this lifetime.
Notes bring pain from inside, humming through my lips.
I feel it leaving like a prayer with words I cannot say.
Releasing a sorrow of pent up dreams forever broken.

Ripping guts, unspoken pain screams to the universe.
Fears are leaping as the music continues to play on.
A prayer forms in energy that I do not understand.
Lips quiver as I feel the answer without thoughts.
Musical notes break chains I have not yet named.

Hearing the flute begging me to dance with life energy,
I can’t help but snap my fingers to the irresistible beat.
Inside vibrations lift me to a new feeling of exultation.
Not one word spoken as the humming continues on.
Pain releasing a new healing with these musical notes.
Now I understand why we enjoy multifaceted music, it blends with us multifaceted humans in such a wonderful way, another Gift we should be grateful for, just like friends...
"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, and a dark side, and it holds the universe together." (Just like friendship.)
Carl Zwanzig (This is the first time I am adding to a quote... makes that truism seem more like wisdom!)

Take some time

to check out a friend of mine's blog, I just hope she updates her latest adventures. Or else she will not get keys to my Castle!

Took the Beast out for a run to Brandfort today, slight breeze but the outrun was cool... had the most wonderful breakfast of Bacon and Pancakes!

Thanks to the Bulgarian hosts, lesson learned, never judge a book by it's cover.

Thanks also to my co adventurer katieb4me for picking up the tab... dit was lekka. Must try and visit the lion park next time... keeping our paws to ourselves of course.
We had quite a laugh while photographing the church as I made that remark...

The visit to military graves was rather depressing as the old graveyard is in a terrible state with knocked down headstones and general lack of upkeep... another reason I want to be turned to ash when I go to the Happy Hunting grounds... no need for my earthly remains to take up space while I am hopefully cavorting with Angels and singing Trance Hymns to God. Which made me think of this song by Tina Cousins... forgive me if I may have put the words up before but they fit in with what I experienced today.

Pray - Tina Cousins
What a miracle is life
the fields are high and fruit is ripe
so hold out your hands
yeah, hold out your hands
And you're the same as me
you breathe the air I breathe
and we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
just pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

We all see the same sun
each day a golden praise is sung
to the wonder of man
yeah, to the wonder of man
And when we look why can't we see
all the riches that are free
oh we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
just pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

Just a pity we could not find the Blockhouse at Karee... maybe next time? Although I was quite impressed how the bike handled in some real rough stuff. The best dual purpose bike by far.
By the way the Beast will now be henceforth referred to as Shrek... he is a Beautiful Beast as well because of his heart of gold and he is also green!
Hopefully us three will have many adventures together, both great and small...
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)

Ronnie's What?

Morning breaks while I wait to be picked up to get reunited with the Beast.
Life sprouting from decay and the circle continues... I made it to Century City and The Canal Walk shopping centre, signposting for the canal Walk was rather obscure though but after using some logic I figured out was going on, just sorry I took no pictures though. Got to Mug&Bean easily as I had parked right at the entrance it was at. Met H as well as our Union Rep! She was also visiting her kids in the Cape... H seems quite happy but we did not get much chance to talk... L was shopping! and only arrived after a while, she is having a ball with mom and I am glad they could be together again. Finished up mu brunch for the road and we said our goodbyes... I want to get home... somehow the song Missing is ringing in my head as I head north up the N1 to Worcester and the turnoff to Route 62...
The valley where my and M's favourite sauce is made! This is also the Koo valley that Route 62 goes through. Scenic beyond description.
Someone else doing Route 62 in a V12 Jaguar... fellow seekers of the highway's treasures...
A stiff breeze blows as I dismount at the den of iniquity that I had heard and read about... but do not judge a book by it's name.
The best bouncer in the Klein Karoo, if he growls at you, you are asked politely that your presence has offended the bouncer and that you had better be on your way... he never growled once while I was there...
Ronnie tending to his patrons needs, I wish I had more time to spend and hear about all the stories this interesting man has to tell... I will be back!
The road from here to Oudsthoorn was very good and had some good twisties especially outside Calitzdorp, fortunately it only got dark as I approached Oudtshoorn... I found the Yatclub that Ronnie had recomended very easily and they made me feel very welcome... I walked up the street to the Dros and had supper while watching the Sharks trounce WP... as I walked back Missing played in my head again...
Day 11 of 12 Days with Shrek

Goosing out the bay

The back of Helderberg mountain, in wine country...
Gansbaai harbour and a gull in perfect focus!
Kelp harvesters... how those boats do not sink beats me...
Shrek on the pier...
The bikers favourite roadsign = fun!

day 8 of 12 Days with Shrek

Cruising the Kloof's

08:30 and ready to roll...
halfway up...
and there is more ahead...
looking back...
more or less on the crest of the pass

Day 7 of 12 Days with Shrek

Good to go, ready to do some crossing off...

Of things on my Wishlist, may add some later too! Just on 12 hours and I get on the plane to Cape Town International for the great KLR Adventure...

My list of things to do:
Bungeeeeee! - If I get time this trip
Buy me a CS650 Beemer - Bought a KLR650 instead!
Discover a Comet - Saw Comet McNaught, just as good as discovering one!
Do a skydiving course - maybe later...
Get a Dress Kilt, Clan Campbell
Kiss the Blarney Stone - See T2T

Pat a Great White on the snout - I may just do that this trip!
See a Snow Leopard in the wild - See T2T
Smell a Volcano - See T2T
Spend a day with a Silverback - See T2T
Taste the Dead Sea - See T2T
Walk the Via Dolorosa - See T2T
Witness a Supernova Done! Not what I expected but just as spectacular... read the blogs...

My list of Natural Wonders to visit:
Amazon river - See T2T
Ngorogoro - See T2T
White Sands - See T2T
Ayers Rock-Uluru
Witsand - Soon...

My list of Countries to visit:
Alaska - See T2T
Angola - 2008
Antartica
Argentina - T2T
Canary Islands
Falkland Islands - See T2T
Guernsey - See T2T
Kamchatka Peninsula - T2T
Namibia - 2008
Patagonia - The great T2T adventure, being planned!
Oz
Scotland - See T2T
Tiera del Fiego - See T2T


My list of Stuctures to visit:
Ankor What - See T2T
Macchu Picchu - See T2T
Tajh Mahal - See T2T
The Pyramids - See T2T
Castle Stalker - See T2T

My list of Cities/Towns to visit:
Alice Springs
Buenos Aires - See T2T
Brisbane
Cooper Pedy
Edinburgh - See T2T
Monaco - See T2T
Nome - See T2T
Sidney
St Petersburg - See T2T
Cape Town - On my way!
Windhoek - 2008

My list of absurdities:
Become President of SA or any other country for that matter! Me? a politician?
Build a car that will do 0 > 100 in 3 seconds flat using water as fuel...
Clone the Pope.
Design the smallest OS posssible that will kick MS's butt.
Live long enough to see my great, great, great grandkids.
Make a Dirty Harry sequel.
Play drums in a Rock Band.
Teleport to Mars.

Actually when one see's how many will be crossed off with this trip the T2T is looking more and more do-able.
I am going to document this trip and maybe get it published, if that works the Ops GOF trip would sell as well and that may just get the finances needed for T2T! Think BIG!
Just 12 hours to take off!
Wish me luck!
"Life changed after that jump...I'd suddenly stepped to the highest level of daring, a level above even that which airplane pilots could attain." Charles Lindbergh (1902 - 1974), describing his first skydive

Check the weather...

321 Cape Peninsula, Boland/Grabouw & SW Cape Coast to Cape Hangklip
Saturday, 23 JunPartly cloudy, rain tonight (30%).Wind : Strong NW, reaching gale force in places along the coast.Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 18deg C and Paarl 20.
Sunday, 24 JunCloudy with rain (80%).Wind : Strong NW, gale force in places along the coast.Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 16deg C and Paarl 16.
Monday, 25 JunCloudy with rain (80%).Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 15deg C and Paarl 15.
Tuesday, 26 JunShowers, abating from afternoon (60%).Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 13deg C and Paarl 12.
Wednesday, 27 JunNo Rain.Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 15deg C and Paarl 15.
Thursday, 28 JunNo Rain.Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 17deg C and Paarl 17.
Friday, 29 JunNo Rain.Maximum Temperature in Cape Town 19deg C and Paarl 18.
That looks good for next week. Hope the weather holds and gives me a chance to do some good rides. I hope all I need to wear for riding will be Boots, jeans, shirt, gloves, helmet and this great jacket from Shift Racing...

The XC is great and feels very comfortable. Got it in XXL to give me some room for a warm layer yet is still quite snug. Gave my gloves a good dose of polish today, letting them spend some time in the sun to absorb all the dubbin followed by a last coat of black before rubbing them up. I am surprised how good they look for 20 odd year old kit, good leather never rots. I will have to get a tape measure to measure my head and the kids to get the right helmet size... I hope I can get one that matches my final colour choice, which is leaning ever more greenward.
However the kids must decide what helmet colour they both want. On the other hand I may go for a colour that will catch the cage drivers attention.
Since I have gone into "bike mode" I notice that I am driving with more anticipation and being more aware on the road... can only be a good thing.
"All of us could take a lesson from the weather, it pays no attention to criticism." North DeKalb Kiwanis Club Beacon

Thanks Dad

Today was fathers day so I took my Dad and the rest of us for a slap up lunch at the Bush Bub at Bains Lodge... We both gazed in wonder as we watched the kids fooling around with their latest electronic gizmos... I must be getting older and wiser.
Luv Ya Dad! even though you do not use a computer and will not read this.
Going on for 80 and he can still weld a mean bead!

"The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering galleries, they are clearly heard at the end, and by posterity." Ricther

Where I want to chill a while...

watch some whales and run some passes before heading back to the daily grind a month from now.
If all works out I will be flying Mango and returning 2 wheeled via Route 62, then via the Eastern Cape to KZN and back via Maloti route or I may even do a round route via some northern provinces... time will tell. I may even blog if I find a net connection.

I have 5 routes planned so far...
Brown, 1000k around the Cape.
Green, Route 62.
Blue, to my Boet via Maloti route then to Mapumalanga via Red.
Red, to my Boet via Wild Coast then Klerksdorp and back home via Maloti route.
Yellow, back home via Witsand and Kimberley.
I still have to plot out the exact roads and work out exact distances... but it any one should be fun.
So to the words of the immortal hit from Steppenwolf...
BORN TO BE WILD
From the 1968 release "Steppenwolf"
Words and music by Mars Bonfire

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die

Born to be wild
Born to be wild
"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." H. Jackson Browne, from P. S. I Love You