The previous blog mentioned Cathkin Peak frequently...here it comes again.
Hardly a day passes on the trails when I don’t think of the pioneers, the men, women and children that crossed the land in wagons as they opened new frontiers. In South Africa it was the Boers, the Voortrekkers fleeing from the British; the United States had pioneers fulfilling a similar role although for different reasons. Political implications should be ignored; it’s not the purpose of these few thoughts. Rather, it’s about the incredible bravery, the strength, the fortitude and will of these people.
We struggle along and up trails, admittedly, we often cover ground without formal paths (see next blog). However, the pioneers carried their worldly possessions together with families, in wagons drawn by animals. They crossed raw land, mountains and rivers with few resources. It’s unimaginable. Such suffering, hardship, endurance with no guarantee of reaching a place that would have made it worth such effort. I understate their sacrifices. Each time I consider their efforts, I feel ever more humble and spoiled.
Compare this with the way the more affluent live. Do I really even need to comment? We cannot take a long drive in a luxury vehicle, on fine roads, with food available whenever needed, even entertainment on tap in the form of radio, television and computers without whining about the discomfort and boredom. The technological advances we enjoy are beyond belief. Yet, has that advanced and improved humans? Could we fill the shoes of the pioneers?
This brings me to the barefoot woman or kaalvoet vrou. Here was a woman, two hundred years ago or so, who felt so strongly about fleeing British control that she was prepared to cross the country on foot without shoes. A monument in her honor sits near the Drakensberg Mountain Retreat. We hiked a few miles to and then beyond it to the mountains above. The sculptor captured the struggle, bitterness and harshness of her life reflected in her face. It's a sculpture but nevertheless, a symbol of different times when people were independent, strong, adaptable, mostly poor in material comforts but resolute, self-sufficient and helpful to one another. These people were not necessarily good (I can't say), but they were strong of character, mind and body.
We found this kopje down the road from the Drakensberg Mountain Retreat...the wind found us on the summit.
The text attempts to express understated admiration of this woman and all pioneers and their struggles.
The barefoot woman strides below us.
Jenni, covered from head-to-toe, considers what a life of relative luxury and ease we lead as she gazes down toward the Kaalvoet Vrou.
'He'll be coming around the mountain when he comes'. In the army, when we went on an early morning jog, the sergeant made us sing, proving how joyful we were. Each day, we sang the same two songs, this one included. After a couple of weeks, he arrived with typed sheets instructing us to learn the new songs. He needed a change...(we didn't?) That's so army.
The shapes of the mountains and buttresses of the Drakensberg always impress.
It's not well known or acknowledged generally because of petty jealously of South African brainpower. The wheel was invented and developed in the Drakensberg although not really needed in this region. Ropes are more important as well as great gripping boots. As an aside, years ago, Jenni was appointed a 'spokes'person for the wheel.
We intend to spend a couple of nights in this remote area in the comfort of these great looking chalets.
Diversion at Dragon's spine...it's the diversions that add flavor to the day.
"Where am I?" Jen seems to question as she pops up.
The text attempts to express understated admiration of this woman and all pioneers and their struggles.
The barefoot woman strides below us.
Jenni, covered from head-to-toe, considers what a life of relative luxury and ease we lead as she gazes down toward the Kaalvoet Vrou.
'He'll be coming around the mountain when he comes'. In the army, when we went on an early morning jog, the sergeant made us sing, proving how joyful we were. Each day, we sang the same two songs, this one included. After a couple of weeks, he arrived with typed sheets instructing us to learn the new songs. He needed a change...(we didn't?) That's so army.
The shapes of the mountains and buttresses of the Drakensberg always impress.
It's not well known or acknowledged generally because of petty jealously of South African brainpower. The wheel was invented and developed in the Drakensberg although not really needed in this region. Ropes are more important as well as great gripping boots. As an aside, years ago, Jenni was appointed a 'spokes'person for the wheel.
We intend to spend a couple of nights in this remote area in the comfort of these great looking chalets.
Diversion at Dragon's spine...it's the diversions that add flavor to the day.
"Where am I?" Jen seems to question as she pops up.
'We've looked at clouds from both sides now'.
'From front and rear...and over the Amphitheatre, too'...
Jen calls brunch...whom I to argue with that position. More calories consumed from the view than the food.
Cheers,
'From front and rear...and over the Amphitheatre, too'...
Jen calls brunch...whom I to argue with that position. More calories consumed from the view than the food.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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