Dawn: sun breaks through the clouds, partially...in a beautiful region.
We left Swaziland and headed for the Drakensberg…hooray. As we might have mentioned at least a dozen times, this is one special place. Actually, it is so large that one hardly thinks of it as a mere place. It covers a relatively large portion of South Africa and therefore, has an impact on the land. It also influences the inhabitants, especially the people living in its shadow. Heck, we are in its vicinity so little of the year and yet it has had and is influencing our lives. Besides being an unbelievable mountain range, it defines the nature and character of those who have touched it or been touched by it. A detailed explanation is beyond the scope of this piece as well as beyond our capability. (continues below...).
The famous Sentinel, a favorite position of ours, the northern Drakensberg. (See below for perspective.)
This is the Sentinel from many miles distant. Photo taken from Drakensberg Retreat. (Blogs to follow...sometime.)
On our return from the top, we stop for a peek at the Amphitheatre. Jenni stands below Sentinel peak
and to the eastern side
Before the stop above, the editor shows her mettle as she whips up the metal chain ladders.
A second set of chains are higher up the rock face.
Meantime, the sun makes shining progress.
And now it makes an onslaught on the mist, which we need it to do and appreciate so we can see in front of us.
"You keep me hanging on..."
Hard to believe what 'my Jenni' gets up to.
We continue to meet and converse with fascinating people. Our visit to Drakensberg Mountain Retreat near Bergville brought us into contact with retired police colonel, Jerry and his wife Elna, the managers. We heard a lot of interesting stories from Jerry and Jen says I gave as good as I got. Hmm! Theo and Debbe were terrific and we spoke with the trustees of the resort and others, always obtaining different and interesting perspectives. Isn't that part of what life's about? On the trails, we met Gary, a Canadian who is trying to understand Africa—that’s his first mistake. His friend Rob, who works partly in Canada and the rest of the time at Plettenberg Bay in sports medicine, is a local. To have a political and philosophical discussion on a trail high in Mont-aux-Sources Mountains while the weather was turning bleak, gives a good indication how interesting things can be on the slopes.
We met a Dutch trio, their Spanish guide and three porters as we were completing the Sentinel hike. South Africa is quite an international destination. The most fun I had, off trails, was speaking to a couple from Standerton—see below.
Another enjoyable aspect is trying to reclaim our ability to converse in Afrikaans again. Languages are wonderful to master but some don’t have the knack for it. I’m still working on English, that’s going on for 64 years. Anyway, I’m trying hard and it’s enjoyable. As to the results, it’s hard to tell although most people are respectful and helpful. Leaving aside the two women who slapped me after I spoke to them in the language, one guy threatened me and three fellows rolled on the ground laughing hysterically, I think it’s going decently. ‘More is nog 'n dag’. In fact, I have written a few emails in Afrikaans and they appeared to work should one ignore the English spellchecker.
They say ‘jy kan die mens van die bos uitneem maar..., but you cannot take the bush out of the person. Substitute South Africa for person and I understand exactly what they mean. Now that’s another long discussion and definitely for another time.
First snow of the season. The Sentinel was covered in mist all morning until the sun broke through for
less than five minutes.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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