Richards Run

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.