Zambia

Setoff for Zambia early on the morning of the 24th with Cavan right behind me in his 4x4. The wall of the dam is pretty spectacular to see. It’s unbelievable to think that once it was just a valley and they built this massive wall and when it was finished and the water to raise a massive animal rescue operation had to be launch to try and save the thousands of animals that were stranded on the various islands as the water rose. The operation ran for a couple of years and was probably the biggest rescue operation of animals since Noah himself set sail.

Cavan and I parted ways in the middle of the wall with a handshake and some pictures . A big thanks to Cavan will always be in my heart as he was adamant that I would get safely through the wildlife area that contained lions, hyena’s etc .



I climbed the hill from the wall to the Zambia border post and on arrival was met by the multitude of money changers , all aiming for my business . I decide to change $20 into kwacha . A couple of foreigners who were busy leaving Zambia decided to intervene and make sure i get a better deal . They asked what i was doing and then started telling the money swappers that they should give me a better rate or even make a donation. Well , they should have known better , money lenders are sharp people , one of them quickly suggested that the guys assisting me should actually let me keep my $ 20 and pay for it them selves . My helpers, having successfully talked themselves in to a corner , duly paid the $20 to the lenders and I was on my way without having changed a cent but with 90 000 kwacha ( R140) in my pocket .



I descended into the Zambesi valley from the wall and the temperature started soar . The tar on the road was soft to touch and the jelly babies in my bag turned to liquid in their packet . I watched a rain storm ahead of me and wished it would slow down so i could catch up but it outpaced me all the way . I used up most of my 8 litres of water and was relieved when I eventually came to a village where there was a borehole . I was greeted with the common chant of the small children that i have heard in a lot on the rural villages in Zambia so far always accompanied by a lot of waving , laughing and smiling “ Musungu , musungu ,musungu “ .




I topped up my water bottles at the borehole and headed for Chirundu Junction . My total for the dy was 82km . i was picked up by Stephen Vorster a local banana farmer and was off to stay with his family for xmas eve .

Both Vic and Jane told me their tale of how they lost their wealth in Zim and were starting fresh in the Zambesi Valley. Jane told me with a wistful look in her eye of her former life of wealth and opulence in Zim compared to her current ‘starting fresh with nothing’ lifestyle. The only thing that they managed to bring with them from Zim was their cook, who didn’t want to stay behind. I set up tent on their front lawn, left them to Christmas eve, and had an early night.

Early the next morning Vic loaded me with 27 bananas and 2 pineapples and sent me on my way. I’m not quite sure where he expected me to carry this 5kgs of food, so initially I tried to eat as many of the bananas as I could, but ended up donating a couple of bunches to the local community. At about 7am I passed one small secluded hut on the side of the road with a small family outside around the fire, where I donated one of my 2 pineapples. The climb up the escarpment out of the Zambesi Valley was really difficult in the extreme heat. Every Zambian and his uncle seemed to be completely sloshed because of Christmas day. At the top of the escarpment I found a village where I tried to find someone to speak to about pitching my tent for the night. A small crowd of about 30 locals filled with the Christmas spirit, gathered to listen to my request. The leading spokesman, with beer in hand, kindly told me that I could pitch my tent anywhere in the village, but that later in the evening he would probably rob me, so he suggested that I should rather go to the local school and speak to the headmaster, which I duly did. Justin, the headmaster, was very accommodating and rather than letting me pitch my tent on the school grounds, he decided to rather let me spend the night on the floor of his school office.



When I tried to fill up my bottles at the borehole, I very quickly realised that you need more than one person when trying to fill small bottles. Fortunately 5 youngsters appeared out of thin air and assisted me with my ‘bottle filling’ exercise. Before drifting off to sleep that night I marvelled at the thousands and thousands of fire flies in the fields around the school.


I headed for kafue the next morning at about 4:30 am . The plan was to have a nice short 42 km day and the do the remaining 45 km to Lusaka the following day to meet Sam and be in Lusaka on the 27th . All was going t plan and I was enjoying a nice easy day out in overcast and rainy weather when Adrian penny from southern sun in Lusaka called and suggest that I push on a bit further than kafue and his Friend Ricardo would pick me up later in the day and bring me to Lusaka for the dinner at Adrian and a night at the hotel and then they would drop me back at the same point he following morning and I could have a short run in to Lusaka ..



After 60 km Ricardo called and said he was running a bit late, I was a bit chipped off but did not express my opinion .

. A Norwegian couple, Jolly and Cecile , stopped and had a chat as they had seen me the previous day toiling up the escapement . Jolly handed me an energy drink called a “burn” .once that kicked in I decided that I was going to go all the way to Lusaka and would tell Ricardo to leave me if he ever showed up



I eventually got to Lusaka at 18:30 after 87km . Oh , Ricardo did show up when I was 2km from the hotel J so I sent him on his way .

Gweru to Chinhoyi

Go to www.richardsrun.co.za to the blog section to see the pictures that are missing here :-)




Antelope Park was a blast. Had a great with time and met plenty of people.



On the second day we took a walk with three 13 month old lion cubs. It was pretty awesome to be with them. Even at 13 months they are a pretty mean prospect .later I saw some older males feeding …spectacular.





The elephants were quite intense as well but it seemed a bit circus like to me.



I joined Willem and Natalie from Livingston for a couple of meals and enjoyed the company of fellow South Africans for a while.



On the evening before I left Antelope Park I had a call for a local guy in Gweru, Killian, He was coming to see me as he had arranged somewhere to stay in kwekwe. I was very surprised when he arrived and told me that his company had booked me a room at a hotel and he gave me some dollars to pay for the room.



The road to KweKwe was pretty easy going and when I arrived I found to my surprise that they had a fully stocked and up-to-date ok bazaar. I had a good shop before retiring to my hotel “the city Lodge “. It was and interesting night because a couple of times during the night my door handle was tired.



I left early the next morning for Kadoma. When I was about half way I met a Russian Cyclist, Igor, He had come from Moscow and was on his way to Cape Town. He was making a “quick detour to see Vic falls why his Visa was being sorted out. He told me that he had met many people on bicycles but I was the first he had found on foot. He thought it was quite unique.











I eventually got to Kadoma at 5:30 pm; it was a long 77km today.

Fortunately, Japie met me in town and took me straight to his Neighbor, Charles where I was able to have three quick beers before being fed a mountain of spaghetti bolognaise.

Later he took me down to the local squash courts where some guys from Chegutu were playing and I was able to get my self organize for accommodation the following night with Howard Mathews the headmaster of the Bryden primary school in Chegutu.



Next morning I was joined at the start of my run by Richard, Duncan and Nicole, who stuck with me for a nice 4 km run before they turned off.



Shortly after that I was joined by a police trainee Nhlangthina who ran a further 10 km with me before he turned back company was toughly enjoyed.





I got to Chegutu and went to stay with Howard Mathews and his family at the Bryden primary school . I had a good rest and then some one suggested tennis so I included my self as the 4th in a doubles game .










The teniis match we played in Chegutu was rather intense with a smattering of sibling rivalry and good humour mixed together . Sadly my partener , Gwen , and I eventually succumbed to her sister Joy and her dad Howard 6-4 . The next morning howard organized that Darrel and Darryl join me for a run for the first ten km . They set a good steady pace and I suspect that it was my first sub 1 hour 10km in quite a while J



After about 40 km I was stopped by Lincon and his family who introduced me to the indigenous fruit called Mtufu as well as some swollen Maise kernels. Lincon wanted me to spend the night with him and his family but although I was temped I was trying to get to 60km before stopping for the day .









I eventually got to 60km and found a place to pitch my tent . I was helped by Tapiwa so we headed down to the local beer hall and bought to Lions which then enjoyed at my camp .


The next morning I was stopped onthe road by the Steve Swanepaoel who invited me for breakfast at his farm house . It was a spectacular breakfast which I enjoyed thoughly and then promptly fell asleep in front of his TV .

Bietbridge crossing was a piece of cake, all my worrying and sleeplessness the night before had been for nothing. I arrived at the border and both sides seemed to be a bit surprised to see a man with a pram and promptly stamped my passport and sent me on my way. All in all it took about 15 minutes to cross the border.

I headed into the town of Bietbridge to try and find Rev Chisenwa of the Methodist church who was going to find me somewhere to stay for the night in Bietbridge.

I was collect by Rev Chisenwa and Mr. Bigboy Doro and advised that we would have some tea with the Rev and then I would stay at Bigboy's house for the night.

We headed out into the country for a meal at a cookhouse where you bring your meat and they will cook it for you on the condition that you buy some sudsa (pap) from them. Bigboy brought his wife and sons with as well as the Rev.

They all expressed their concern about my safety for the first 20 km tomorrow and Bigboy insisted that he drive along behind me. I told him that this would not be necessary and that I would be ok.

I had my first experience of using a bucket to bath with and made quite a mess on the floor but ended up clean so was pretty happy with myself.

The next morning I said cheers to Bigboy and headed off towards Bubi River. After about 6 km’s I noticed the same minibus pass me twice and it pulled off about 2km ahead of me, as I got nearer it pulled off and moved further up the road. I started to get a bit concerned until passed it and sitting inside was Bigboy , he was going to escort me whether I liked it of not.

It took almost twelve hours to complete the 76 km that day and the temperatures soared into the high 30 and low 40 degree zone. I stopped at a tiny road side shop at lunch and after a long conversation in broken English with the teenagers who were running the shop they told me they were going to donate 1 coke and a half loaf of bread to me for my mission . I return they wanted to be the first Zimbabwe girls I took a picture of.

I was shattered by the time I got to the 3 way safari lodge where I was staying. I just fell straight into the pool when I got there. Quinn, the manager’s husband cheered me up by telling that his parents stayed about 40 km up the road and that he would organize for me to stay their tomorrow. As it turns out that never happened that never worked out because when I got there his Dad, willem, looked a bit perturbed to see me and ask me to wait in the shade outside, his mom, Karin the explained that they were both feeling a bit ill and that they had other visitors so it would not be possible for me to stay there. They made a plan to give me a lift to a hotel I had passed 30 km ago and said they would sort it out.

I met 3 good blokes at the hotel, John, Guido and James who were very helpful with advice and promised to help me sort out some where to stay in makuti much later on in my journey.

I headed for the town of Rutenga where I was going to try and find a place to stay with a friend of bigboy’s. It was another hot day but the clouds had started to build and that did help a bit. When I arrived asked a chap working in the power sales store where I could get a coke. He directed me next door and a few moments later asked if I was from the Methodists in Bietbridge. He said that I would stay with him that night. So I went home with Mr. Even Mgweba and his wife. I had a great stay with Even and hi family but became a bit concerned as bed time neared as they had allocated me a room with a double bed for my self. I had noticed that there were no other beds in the house and I asked Even if I should rather sleep on my mattress. He said it was no problem and I should stay where I was. I still have no idea where Even and his wife and two children slept that night.

Next morning I set off for ngundu, I never made it.

I got to Lundi which was 42 km up the road and found a camping spot and had my tent out for the first time since leaving Cape Agulhas. I had no sooner managed to get my tent up and the clouds that had been building all day just opened up and the rain came down. It poured and poured .The tent stood the test of the weather well and everything inside including me stayed dry.

After Lundi I made my way to Mvinga and managed to find a primary school where I could camp for the night, a storm was threatening and the teacher on duty suggested I pitch my tent in a partially built house to avoid the rain. This worked out quite well as it really came down hard during the night. Just as it was getting dark I had a visits form a group of teachers and the headmistress as they wanted to understand what I was doing. After a lengthy discussion and lots of laughs they left for the night and I settled in.

The following morning I went on my way and head for the town of chibi. On route I was joined by Charity. She had a really nice looking bicycle that she was obviously very proud of because she rode past me about 4 times before getting the courage to return my greeting. Then she rode next to me for the next couple of Km’s. She told me about her self, she is 15, lives with her mom on the farm as her father passed in 2007. Her older brother works in Pretoria. She does not know what she is going to be when she is older but thinks she will come to South Africa at some stage. I don’t think she will ever leave the farm.

I have travel a few days since this but my internet time is up so my encounters with some of the others I have met will have to wait.

Eunice the shop owner who helped me out when I was at my lowest point .

Joseph who just found out he had HIV and walked 15km with me to the next town because he needed company

The Chief who let me stay in his house.

The old fisher woman.Bietbridge crossing was a piece of cake, all my worrying and sleeplessness the night before had been for nothing. I arrived at the border and both sides seemed to be a bit surprised to see a man with a pram and promptly stamped my passport and sent me on my way. All in all it took about 15 minutes to cross the border.

I headed into the town of Bietbridge to try and find Rev Chisenwa of the Methodist church who was going to find me somewhere to stay for the night in Bietbridge.

I was collect by Rev Chisenwa and Mr. Bigboy Doro and advised that we would have some tea with the Rev and then I would stay at Bigboy's house for the night.

We headed out into the country for a meal at a cookhouse where you bring your meat and they will cook it for you on the condition that you buy some sudsa (pap) from them. Bigboy brought his wife and sons with as well as the Rev.

They all expressed their concern about my safety for the first 20 km tomorrow and Bigboy insisted that he drive along behind me. I told him that this would not be necessary and that I would be ok.

I had my first experience of using a bucket to bath with and made quite a mess on the floor but ended up clean so was pretty happy with myself.

The next morning I said cheers to Bigboy and headed off towards Bubi River. After about 6 km’s I noticed the same minibus pass me twice and it pulled off about 2km ahead of me, as I got nearer it pulled off and moved further up the road. I started to get a bit concerned until passed it and sitting inside was Bigboy , he was going to escort me whether I liked it of not.

It took almost twelve hours to complete the 76 km that day and the temperatures soared into the high 30 and low 40 degree zone. I stopped at a tiny road side shop at lunch and after a long conversation in broken English with the teenagers who were running the shop they told me they were going to donate 1 coke and a half loaf of bread to me for my mission . I return they wanted to be the first Zimbabwe girls I took a picture of.

I was shattered by the time I got to the 3 way safari lodge where I was staying. I just fell straight into the pool when I got there. Quinn, the manager’s husband cheered me up by telling that his parents stayed about 40 km up the road and that he would organize for me to stay their tomorrow. As it turns out that never happened that never worked out because when I got there his Dad, willem, looked a bit perturbed to see me and ask me to wait in the shade outside, his mom, Karin the explained that they were both feeling a bit ill and that they had other visitors so it would not be possible for me to stay there. They made a plan to give me a lift to a hotel I had passed 30 km ago and said they would sort it out.

I met 3 good blokes at the hotel, John, Guido and James who were very helpful with advice and promised to help me sort out some where to stay in makuti much later on in my journey.

I headed for the town of Rutenga where I was going to try and find a place to stay with a friend of bigboy’s. It was another hot day but the clouds had started to build and that did help a bit. When I arrived asked a chap working in the power sales store where I could get a coke. He directed me next door and a few moments later asked if I was from the Methodists in Bietbridge. He said that I would stay with him that night. So I went home with Mr. Even Mgweba and his wife. I had a great stay with Even and hi family but became a bit concerned as bed time neared as they had allocated me a room with a double bed for my self. I had noticed that there were no other beds in the house and I asked Even if I should rather sleep on my mattress. He said it was no problem and I should stay where I was. I still have no idea where Even and his wife and two children slept that night.

Next morning I set off for ngundu, I never made it.

I got to Lundi which was 42 km up the road and found a camping spot and had my tent out for the first time since leaving Cape Agulhas. I had no sooner managed to get my tent up and the clouds that had been building all day just opened up and the rain came down. It poured and poured .The tent stood the test of the weather well and everything inside including me stayed dry.

After Lundi I made my way to Mvinga and managed to find a primary school where I could camp for the night, a storm was threatening and the teacher on duty suggested I pitch my tent in a partially built house to avoid the rain. This worked out quite well as it really came down hard during the night. Just as it was getting dark I had a visits form a group of teachers and the headmistress as they wanted to understand what I was doing. After a lengthy discussion and lots of laughs they left for the night and I settled in.

The following morning I went on my way and head for the town of chibi. On route I was joined by Charity. She had a really nice looking bicycle that she was obviously very proud of because she rode past me about 4 times before getting the courage to return my greeting. Then she rode next to me for the next couple of Km’s. She told me about her self, she is 15, lives with her mom on the farm as her father passed in 2007. Her older brother works in Pretoria. She does not know what she is going to be when she is older but thinks she will come to South Africa at some stage. I don’t think she will ever leave the farm.

I have travel a few days since this but my internet time is up so my encounters with some of the others I have met will have to wait.

Eunice the shop owner who helped me out when I was at my lowest point .

Joseph who just found out he had HIV and walked 15km with me to the next town because he needed company

The Chief who let me stay in his house.

The old fisher woman.

I am now at Antelope park in Gweru and am at my half way point . Hopefully I will have access again in the next week or so.

I am now at Antelope park in Gweru and am at my half way point . Hopefully I will have access again in the next week or so.

Africa

Tomorrow I walk into Africa .( Twisted from Alexander Supertramp )

I am not certain of the intervals between updates from this point onwards .

THANKS SOUTH AFRICA for a great trip so far , you support has been phenomenal

Manouta to Louis Trichardt

Kuname River Lodge

I stay at the most stunning Safari lodge you could imagine , Kuname River Lodge , my hosts Barry , Min , Ralie , Mike and Peter were really great . I was luxury at its best . Look at the pics below and you will understand how special it was

Tzaneen to Soekmekaar

Set off from Jan and Leoni's house early early and was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the Limpopo province with the waterfalls, fruit and tree plantations and stunning scenery. Leonie gave me some sandwiches for the road and an I had a chuckle when I eventually opened them and found two little notes saying “minced rump and cheese - safe miles “and” black current and cheese - happy miles”

When I reach mojaji's kloof town I was stopped by a lady who gave me a gentle squeeze on the arm and thanked me for what I was doing, I was really touched by her gesture. I met numerous people on the road and after about 40 km I was flying along thinking how easy the day was going. I had to climb 400 m from Tzaneen to Soekmekaar and it had been really easy so far and I only had about 20 km to go.

I reached the 12km sign and rounded a bend and then realized when the 400 m climb had been hiding. Well needless to say the last 12km to well over 2 hours to complete and I ended in Soekmekaar after 64km and was shattered.

I went to the impala cafe to try and track down Ria Erasmus; they gave directions to her house as well as supplying me with some milk and a plate of hot chips full of salt and vinegar.

Ria and Andre were fantastic and fed me and told me about the road ahead and there life in the region of Soekemekaar and Bandelier kop where I would be heading tomorrow...

Soekemekaar to bandelierskop ( Lalapanzi)

I left at 6 and took it easy as things were still a bit stiff from yesterday. I had only gone about 8 km when a mustard ford pulled up and the lady greeted me by name. her name was Kobie , we chatted for a while and I ask where she was headed to , She told me she was headed nowhere and had come to find me to see if I need anything as she had heard I was on my way to bandelierskop and that’s where she lived .

I told her I was ok for now and would probably see her later. She came back once more and then met me for a last time at the bandelierskop centre where she introduced me to Martin the manger of the centre. I suggested she stay for coffee but she left me with Martin.

Shortly after that radio jacaranda called and asked that I give the listeners an update of my journey. During the update I was cut off when the signal dropped, as I looked up a young lady came skidding to a halt to tell me that I had been disconnected :-)

That night I spend the evening in the Lala panzi hotel and Marius the owner told me stories of the notorious " breaker Morant " who was and Australian who had been assigned to help the British fight against the Boers . He was a really bad man and killed anyone who got in his way. look it up it’s really fascinating.

I was my steves birthday today and the 3rd anniversary of me stopping smoking, hard to believe that I have been running for less than 3 years.

Lala Panzi to Louis Trichardt

Had a great run in to Louis Trichardt. downhill all the way. I stopped at the farm J3 where a chap called Frans' works and had coffee with him and his grandchildren. he had called me the day before and invited me and as today was a short day I decided to take him up on his offer. I enjoyed my brief stay and the company was good.

When I arrived in Louis Trichardt, I was met by Dirk and Jan from the Zoutpansberg 66 roundtable. they had organized a group of guys to escort me into town, which they did and blocked the intersections as I arrived at each one so that I did not have to stop running.

With that done we headed to the round table club house for some early morning beers :-)

Later I went to Camp Africa in the mountains where I was to stay. and have my rest day.

I headed off early the following morning and made my way to bokmakirie . On route i was met by Steve , My brother , This was a really welcome site and was a highlight for me . We shared some stories , had a few cold cokes and he stocked me up with all kinds of goodies for my upcoming border crossing . I can't say more than this as it was a moment you had to be there to appreciate . We parted with a laugh and a promise to catch up again on Kili.

I had met a girl , Karlien ,, at a party in Louis Trichardt who had made contact with her dad in Bokmakirie and organized a place for me to stay . She told me to look out for Grizzly Adams and that would be her dad .

i found Charles and spent a good eveniing with him , his wife Helene and there son .

it was really relaxing.

Lydenberg to Manouta

Lydenberg to Orhigstad ( Hannah game lodge )

I had a fantastic stay at Lorna and Frans , the rest day was perfect and i spent most the day with Tanie Charlotte and Lorian around the house .If you ever want to meet a person that has a super positive outlook and an undaunted faith then i suggest you take a drive to Lydenberg and meet Lorna , I will not go into details but with the amount of adversity they have had in most would have cracked , so hats of to a really great family .

Franco dropped me off at really early an di set off on the downhill plummet from Lydenberg to Orhigstad , It was a great days running and was spent mostly reminiscing about family holidays with my parents and 3 brothers in the big white Rambler that we owned , with red seats that you stuck too if you sweated to much .:-) Fishing at a place called sycamore , I also dared my oldest brother Grant to give me a donkey bite at watervalbowen when my parents were in the shop , well he did , I screamed so loud they thought he had tried to kill me ..


I arrived at The turn off to Burgerfort and was met by Wayne the GM of the Hannah game lodge , I was treated to seeing a stunning Sable antelope bull which was a site to be remembered .


Orhigstad to Manouta park

I left Hannah and head up the Able Eramus pass . I really prefer the civil engineers who build tunnels compared to those who build passes . This Particular pass does not have a single flat bit on the way up and it seems to go on forever. Gee whiz, dig a tunnel dude .
I went over the top and descended into the settlement of California where I was hailed by on of the fruit sellers ,Muis , to come over and chat . She was a wonderful lady , she fed me on banana’s while we talked and she insisted , with a big smile and a wink ,that should I return this way that I should stop and stay with her for the night . then her and her friends packed up laughing and asked if I needed another wife so I don’t get to lonely on the road . We parted with a good laugh and I headed for the strydom tunnel .

Things were getting quite busy now and I was seeing people all the time . The drunk in the politically sloganned T-shirt , the road side vendor with a bird watchers scope to make anyone jealous , the ladies at the tunnel who need a demo of me running with pram, twice .


I arrive at the Manouta caravan park and was directed to a chalet , The only other guest were a family from Tzaneen so I hung around at the pool with them and the lady at the bar ,Laura, kept up a steady flow of Black label and a Jack of two .
It was a really enjoyable relaxing afternoon .

Ermelo to Lydenberg

Oh yes. My big surprise in Ermelo. Well if you been on face book you know already but this is what happened.
I was lying on my bed having a rest when there was a knock at my door and Lin , the owner of the owner of the guest house where I was staying said I should open . A bit annoyed by her insistent tone I went to the door and pulled it open. Well I would never have thought but standing there was... my Mom and her good friend Margaret Swift. It was a great surprise and made my day. We had a great lunch at the Dro’s (mine was on the house, thanks to Gerrie the manager). Then a couple beers and we ended up for a hunger busta burger at the spur for dinner.

Thanks Mom.


The next morning I was off to and early start and on my way to Chrissiesmeer. As I came over the one hill I heard dogs barking and looked ahead of me and saw a terrifying site. Nine stray looking dogs, the same type the locals use for hunting were charging down the hill at full speed towards me. I grabbed my stick and clutched my trusty pepper spray and readied my self of the imminent attack. When they were about 100 m from me 4 of the dogs diverted off the road and into the field and the other 5 just kept coming.
Ready …steady ( phew , at least I had the Rabies injection ) and then they upon me but they did not even slow down and just kept going straight past me and up the hill behind me . What and absolute relief that was.

I arrived in Chrissiesmeer and it was raining. I stopped at the first coffee shop that I got to which also happened to be the tourist information centre and was treated to an interest and embellished history lecture of Chrissiesmeer while I enjoyed my coffee. Father Christmas, the history lecturer, was very entertaining and my stop was well worth the time I spent their. I later found out that farther Xmas real name s actually Ben. He told of mysterious moving rocks, frogs, flowers and indigenous Bushmen. The history of the giants (yes Giants, he has a picture of a skeleton of one  and the rock art from forgot times gone by.

I headed out of town and thanks to a local fellow Koos, was able to get a lift to the guest house I was staying at, Florence Guest farm, as it was in the opposite direction to where I was going. There I met Ane’ and Nico. The name Ane’ sounded familiar but I did not think trice about it until Nico mentioned a guy who was going to Jerusalem a stopped by a couple of years ago. I then new exactly who they were. There was a French couple who walked to Jerusalem too, Alec and Sonja. They had also stayed at Nico and Ane’, in there book they referred to a guy who was ahead of them, and now I know his name, Stephen.

They were great hosts and the house they live in is stunning. I loved it.

I learned a tragic but beautiful story about Chrissiesmeer while I was there.
During the Boer war a British soldier was killed and buried in the local Cemetery. His name was Lt Andrew Swanson , The year after he died in October a small box arrived at the Chrissiesmeer post office with a short note saying that the sprig of heather in the box was please to be placed on his grave and it had been sent by the Fiancé’ that he had left behind in Scotland . This continued to arrive every year until 1950 when the box arrived in October as usual but the note said that because she was now 80 years old they were moving here to an old age home so this would be last sprig of heather that she would be sending.
After 1950 the children from the primary school would go to the grave every October and sing “My bonnie lies over the ocean “.



Chrissiesmeer to Carolina

I left Chrissiesmeer at about 6 am and started out for Carolina, within the first km I caught up with 4 young black guys walking in the same direction as me. I greeted as I went past and the one guy, Aaron, picked up his pace and walked with me. He told me all about his family, his 1 year old baby, his father who works on a local farm etc.
I asked where he was walking too and he told me that he is on his way to work at the charcoal manufacturing farm. He explained that some days they get a lift if they lucky but most days they walk.
So it turns out the its 9 km there and 9 km back every day 5 days a week to earn R50.00 per day unless it rains then there is no work .

We parted ways and I kept on my way to Carolina. Carolina came and went with out much ado. I stayed at the Fairview guest farm where Christine that kitchen lady took great care of me. There was a power outage at about 6 pm, so it was an early night and the rain poured all night

Carolina to Belfast.

The run to Belfast form Carolina started out well and then just deteriorated in to a slog that I wanted to get over and done with because my left foot was very sore. I got and sms from a friend for work, Shireen, saying she hoped I was having a good day. This brought a smile to my face and cheered me up because I was probably having one of my worst days, but then as it may be a sign was sent to me, almost like a gift and as I looked up a beacon of hope brought a smile to my lips and all my negativity from the bad day was gone.
At first I was not sure, a mirage perhaps but no, I was correct, it was a sign of hope and it said “Engen one stop, Wimpy “.

While I was there I met Gert Jordan, who is involved with the n4 toll road and we started chatting. He told me how he believed that I only could have got this far safely because God had been watching over me and he believed that I will remain safe as this is what God wanted. We chatted for a while and just before I was leaving he gave me a couple of rands for me to get a burger or something for myself.
I entered Belfast and found the Owl and Trout guest house where Janet and Julian Hendrikz had offered me accommodation for the night; this was thanks to Sylvia the local lady in the Belfast tourism office who had kindly assisted to find me places in Belfast and Dullstroom.

I heard that in Belfast there had been 3 Boer concentration camps and according to the map the one, Camp 3, was fairly close to where I was staying so I headed out to find the original site of this camp. It proved to be a bi harder than I thought as no one really new what I was talking about but after listening to Janet’s instructions and asking a lot of question I eventually found it, Strangely (I use the word strangely because I don’t really know the proper use of the word ironically .. hehe) to the plot where it is houses the local Belfast orphanage and the staff working there did not seem to know that the grounds had once been a concentration camp.

Belfast to Dullstroom

After the really bad day yesterday to was a dream day. It was going to be a short day only 33km but I took the road to Spionkop instead of Dullstroom and had to back track and in doing so added about 6km to my day but it still went really well. It rained the whole way but the new pram cover that my mom had given me kept everything dry and I put my rain coat on before I left.
I cruised into Dullstroom well before lunch and headed for Peebles guest lodge, which Sylvia had arranged for me. Mike, the owner met me and was a great host, his place has 5 stars so I was in an environment where I had not been before and it was very fancy and enjoyable. Although the rooms, grounds, builds etc were all stunning the thing that struck me the most was that fact that the rose that was left on the bed for new guest had the most amazing scent.

4 of the managers from CEB showed in Dullstroom to have lunch with me.
Schalk, Tanya, Pierre and “Thomas” (well Thomas is not really his name but I thought would protect this identity).

We had a great lunch and enjoy a couple of beers and then Thomas did a handing over ceremony of the chocolates they had bought for me. One at a time with a hand shakes after each one. There were about 15 so it did take a while.

Later I went back to Peebles and enjoy the use of the Spa which really made me feel pretty good.


Dullstroom to Lydenberg

I setoff in the rain at about 5:30 am and did the first 27 km in about 3:30 at which point I got to the farm of Frans and Lorna where I was going to stay . I went in introduced my self to Frans and had a sandwich and some water. I then for only the second time in 48 days abandoned my pram and headed out with my day pack to complete the last 27 km to Lydenberg. Running with out the pram was really quite strange. I enjoyed the run tremendously. When I got to Lydenberg I went to the Vroutjies coffee shop and had a Muffin and coffee while waiting for Frans to collect me to take me back to his farm. The owner very kindly ended up donating the coffee and muffin.

I went back to Frans and met the family, Lorna his wife, Franco and Lorrian there children and Charlotte a blind lady they care for.
My rest day is here so I will fill in more details when I write again.