54.17 KwaZulu-Natal: Central Drakensberg: Heartlands Pass to the base of Cathkin Peak.

Overpowering? Cathkin Peak.
A little tiring toward the top.
In the thick of things.
'Eye of the Needle' something to strive to reach. Looks really smooth.
Heading away from the mountains before turning to reach the base.
Viewing the initial part of trail as we pass a rather narrow section.
Relatively speaking, quite a cutie.
Lone Tree.
On another hike, another trail, we climbed to the Sphinx below.
Following a scary climb.
Like the way the water seems to tumble over the wall.
At 8:30am, it's going to be a long day.
Also tired but justifiably.
Getting closer. 

 Allow us to introduce Frank, an African fellow who hails from Limpopo. He’s the husband of Rosalie, the char, who worked weekly for my Mom over a period of twenty years. When Katy retired from full time employment, Rosalie became her successor but only once per week. We met her each year on our trips to visit Mom including her daughter, until the little Mamcy grew up and stopped visiting with her mom from about 9 years old. 

  We first met Frank when he began collecting furniture and household effects the week after Mom left this world. I helped him carry out beds, couches and toughest of all, two sideboards, one comprising marble components. In an earlier blog, I mentioned that the moment I met the man, I knew I'd like him as a friend. He’s a rather young guy in my company, merely sixty-years old. How the concept of ‘relatively speaking’ works in the context of age. I loved his approach to the task. He always remained warm and friendly, although stoic as we figured how we’d get these massive pieces of furniture into the Toyota vehicle. At times, the bigger job was trying to maneuver the pieces from the rooms, through the entranceway and of course, front door, not to mention the outside security gate. It’s an example of the security system preventing us leaving rather inhibiting intruders. 

 Frank studied the challenges, while I added my two-bits of basically worthless feedback. Somehow we managed to remove most pieces from the house and into the car. Fortunately, they live close-by allowing for frequent trips. On one occasion, we had Mamcy walking behind the car providing gentle support to an overhanging table. Of course, the banter followed at times, especially when Mamcy complained that she was tiring. At twenty-two, I did not think people got tired. Then I remembered that applied only during nightclub sessions. 

  I think the main point of this story is along the lines of human interest and struggle. In Western societies, things work much smoother than other places. Invariably, it involves finance supported with machinery. In poorer countries, the people improvise in many ways, carrying goods on their heads, backs or borrowing, to name just a few ways of achieving goals. That Frank has a vehicle is already a big advantage. By the way, when we looked at the size of the dining-room table, even Frank thought he would need to call an acquaintance that has a bakkie (truck). Turns out the man would charge but unfortunately, he could not start the engine of his vehicle. Frank looked again at the problem. 

Here is where something struck me. We both lived through part of the ‘Apartheid’ society but fortunately, look at humans from a perspective of decency rather than ethnicity. I watched the man at work. It became clear to me how well the free-market system works when left to its own devices. Frank used his brain and developed a procedure that would allow us to remove the table from the house as well as load it onto an adequate-size vehicle. 

It worked. What it did require was that I help in any way I could, make any suggestions but in the end, follow the instructions of the master. While I may have a formal education whereas Frank is without one, as my Dad would say, ‘Class rises to the top”. This was surely the case. I took the backseat and lent a hand while the master led by example with both ingenuity and strength. What a pleasure to work in the shadow of both a gentleman and smart person. 

  As this was a second session together, familiarity allowed for some frivolity which included the young Mamcy and the occasional peeps from Rosalie, wife and mother. Oh, how easily the world works when allowed to function naturally. 

Frank and Jeffrey, your old and reliable furniture movers.
Love the steps. How about an elevator (lift)?
When she was a golfer, we would have termed this a day 'in the rough'. Better than living rough, though.
Fascinating range and shapes.
Close to our turnabout point. Need to examine a way up. Would require two days for the whole trip.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Jeffrey chases after Jenni...what's new?