We saw it by day... it is always amazing when I see something about Argentina on the news or other media... that feeling of "Yes... We were there!" Thank you Moondancer for sharing that trip, it was worth it, enjoy the Girls Weekend!
The stars are bright tonight And I am walking nowhere
Guess I will be alright Desire gets you nowhere
And you are always right I thought you were so perfect
Take you as you were Have you as you were Take you as you were
I love you just the way you are I love you just the way you are I'll take you just the way you are Does anybody love the way you are? Aaa aaa aaa
The stars are bright tonight A distance is between us And I will be ok The worst I've ever seen us
And still I have my weaknesses And still I have my strength And still I have my ugliness
But i, i, i I love you just the way you are I love you just the way you are I'll take you just the way you are Does anybody love the way you are?
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaa
I love you just the way you are I love you just the way you are I'll take you just the way you are Does anybody love the way you are?
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa
Star, star “The most beautiful things in the universe are the starry heavens above us and the feeling of duty within us.”Indian Proverb
Last time we rode this road MD and me had some "Boulder" trouble, well since then Mitchell's pass has been fixed and the ride home was more like a highway trip down the mountain... but not boring at all, it still took concentration around the curves. This time it was a solo ride back to Bloem and apart from the wind quite uneventful, fortunately the trick of sticking a knee into the gale does help. Will do some backposts with pics we took, hopefully my blogging will pick up again in 2010.
Back in the Saddle - Aerosmith I'm back I'm back in the saddle again I'm back I'm back in the saddle again
Ridin' into town alone By the light of the moon I'm looking for ol Sukie Jones She crazy horse saloon Barkeep gimme a drink That's when she caught my eye She turned to give me a wink That make a grown man cry
Come easy, go easy All right until the rising sun I'm calling all the shots tonight I'm like a loaded gun Peelin' off my boots and chaps I'm saddle sore Four bits gets you time in the racks I scream for more Fools' gold out of their mines The girls are soaking wet Not tounge's drier than mine I'll come when I get back
I'm back in the saddle again I'm back I'm back in the saddle again I'm riding, I'm loading up my pistol I'm riding, I really got a fistful I'm riding, I'm shining up my saddle I'm riding, this snake is gonna rattle
Ridin' high Ridin' high Ridin' high already
"Life is just a chance to grow a soul." A. Powell Davies:
Boxing day at Hoggies we went sightseeing, showing the new visitors some of the sights of this enchanting village... as we left the Chapel on the Hill this greeted us!
What is amazing to me is the way the sun fell on the tree.. which has a resemblance to a Cross. Coincidence? I do not believe that for one instance. God is always with us and has given us the greatest gift of all.
Plaque at the Chapel... The words say it all...
I believe this is the message we should take with us in the coming year... Here the rest are amazed by the sight of sun on trees... Inside the chapel... each one with their own thoughts... G&A in a stolen moment...
Before the Chapel we took a walk around the Labyrinth and then took a peek over the Edge... The Labrynth The Edge A looking very pensive as she sits on the Edge. On the Edge... More edgy stuff... G&A on the edge... MD and M on the edge... G&MD admiring the vista
Of course I could not resit taking some pictures of the flowers that crossed our paths... Pelargoniums... all at the Chapel, these are new to me. Another pelargonium. Pelargonium in pink Budding Aloe at the Labrynth. Fittingly this came to mind as we drove back to the house in Hoggies. "Genesis Chapter 2 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,"
Once again I have to change plans I had for the weekend because no one informed me that we have to close the system a week earlier! I normally do not mention work on my blog but I need to rant somewhere! So this weekend's trip to St Francis is fading fast, so sorry Moondancer! I hate it when that happens... However... this will give me a chance to update some of my draft postings from Argentina. Unless... just maybe I can figure out how to get away... “You must grow like a tree, not like a mushroom” Janet Erskine Stuart
Today I had to go and sort out a small problem and on the way back I just had to stop and take pictures of the full moon rising over the Maloti mountains... here is the picture as well as some of the others I took earlier the day... The moon caught rising over the Maluti (or Maloti as some pronounce it in these parts) Mountains just outside Clarens on the way to Fouriesburg, taken on the way back from our other campus at Qwaqwa. Fortunately the clouds dispersed when it was time to leave... I had not packed the rainsuit! The dirt road to Kestell over the mountain... will be explored one day... Shadows falling over the mountains of Golden Gate... The trip was highlighted by me being able to test the new HID light and I can say it works well... just near Tweespruit some cattle had wandered onto the roadside and I was able to see them clearly... with lesser lights I would have seen them a lot later... maybe too late. "Beauty is a form of genius--is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is of the great facts in the world like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in dark water of that silver shell we call the moon." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
We arrived at Hogsback! I never knew places like this existed in South Africa... more to follow. The Amatolas are greener than green! I got wetter than wet getting here though... as the weather caught me out I was not able to take pictures on this leg of the trip, however here are some from yesterday. Had a surprise in Pick&Pay while waiting for Moondancer to hook up with me for the drive to Ilifu in Hogsback where we were to stay in Camerons Cabin. KatieB was down visiting her parents for Xmas. This is where I spent the previous evening in Queenstown, The nearby NG Church... And a looming storm making a glorious sunset, a perfect end to the day as I prepared to rest for the final leg to Hogsback. "Mountains are earth's undecaying monuments." Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864)
Packing to go... Chicks and Shrek... the chicks at Smithfield were not even frightened when I parked right next to them. Steers and Shrek... Getting a bite to eat in Aliwal North... The Pass... awesome, I plan to do the "up run" on the way back from Hogsback. The decent from the Drakensberg. The pass winds down the mountainside in the middle of the picture. The ride itself was most enjoyable. Left Bloemfontein at around 10 am heading for Reddersburg, Smithfield, Rouxville, Aliwal North, Lady Grey, Barkly East, Elliot, Dortrecht and arrived at Queenstown at around 6 pm. A leisurely day's riding. "Little by little, one travels far." J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973)
Not at all, L has had her learners licence for a long time now but has not had much chance to practice her skills... so today we went shopping... I was amazed how confidently she approached the job, after a short ride around campus to get used to the car we were off... no thanks to an idiot bus driver that could not make his turn, he had the temerity to honk at us! Where did he get his licence? He is lucky I had no camera or else I would be emailing it to his boss at Big Sky Tours! The rest of the trip was uneventful but for the next idiot in a BMW X3 that has no idea how a traffic circle works or how solid lines work. We were not going to drive in your precious lane Mr BeMyWife. I am impressed how good she coped with what was thrown her way, Saturday at 12am is not the quietest time to practice driving, she is going to be a great driver. I am so proud of her. "You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive." ~Author Unknown
“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
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)
My interwebs is tubed... I am using Firefox as IE is being a vacuum, sucking as usual... Today was not the blustery day the weatherman predicted, thanks for listening God... My other best friend Ronnie and I decided to take a run on our bikes and we did the Brandfort run, we stopped at the Pub across the street from the Cop Shop, I was famished and asked for something to eat, "The kitchen is closed but I can whip up a burger or steak" said the bar lady... 20 minutes later I had half an ox on my plate... one of the best steaks I have ever eaten from a closed kitchen! Thanks that was delicious. The run back was also great, Shrek is still loosening up and I had it up to the max with no effort but I think Ronnie on his Buza was frustrated at only doing 160 for a short burst... however I am happy and Shrek is happy at running at the legal limit on max torque... Kawa really got the recipe right for me. I know that my chance of getting a ticket is rather slim as I settle down at 120 and enjoy the ride knowing that the motor is running at maximum efficiency but has reserve for passing. Hunting is fun... "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." Mae West (1892 - 1980), Klondike Annie (1936 film)
Charley Boorman in the book "Race to Dakar" mentioned that the reason he did the race was because he had been asked by the publisher "what next?" after "Long way Round" and he had said "do the Paris to Dakar rally"... he was then quoted on the flyleaf of the book and felt he had to put his money were his mouth was... so here I am doing a Charley.
The idea is born and the domain is up and running but very skeletal at present. This is what greeted me when I had googled cape2capeglobaladventure... and this is the graphic I cobbled together this evening for the website... it still needs some work but I am quite happy with the idea so far. While at the Prowlers MCC I threw the idea around to some of the blokes and no one shot it down... had a drink and toasted Shrek once more then came back home to code... step 2 has now been taken. Got another poster up for the regionals as well...
"It's all knowing what to start with. If you start in the right place and follow all the steps, you will get to the right end." Elizabeth Moon, The Speed of Dark, 2003
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)
Woke up humming "Missing" by No Mercy and for the first time I had an urgent need to get home, I miss my kids and cats but I miss something else as well. The Yatclub... a highly recommended establishment for weary travelers. This was taken as I digested a breakfast of note... I had my own mini loaf of freshly baked bread and the most delicious omelet made by the host Des. The tranquility of the dam at the Yatclub, now I saw why Des said he changed the name to Yatclub... this stretch of the Grobbelaars's river is scarcely big enough to float a canoe. These clouds made up my mind that I needed a warm mug of coffee... back in Bloem preferably! One went before me... So I am not the only crazy biker out in the freezing cold... making wee breaks to errrr strech the legs... cold weather and 3 cups of strong coffee do not help the miles go by. The desolation of Karroo vistas... my heart is sometimes as hungry as these vast places... I am craving someone to share my dreams with again and somone has been texting me a few times this trip that I feel may just be the one to share with. I may be wrong... Last picture of the trip as I stood freezing on the Lootsberg pass... there was even more snow around the corner! From here we had crosswinds, headwinds, tailwinds, a few drops of sleet and a conviction that something needed to be done... Reaching Middelburg I decided to brave the wind and try for Colesberg, maybe staying overnight. When I saw the distance between Colesberg and Bloem I sent a text request for sustenance... ETA 7 pm it is. I think this is when the little arrow took effect. The rest of the day is history and engraved in my heart forever... Tomorrow is bright with possibility. "Sometimes I think we're alone. Sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the thought is staggering." R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983) Day 12 of 12 Days with Shrek
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!
