Totsiens sê aan ‘Bird’s Nest’ was toe nie so maklik nie, maar die gedagte aan ‘n koffietjie by Roger Young op Kruisrivier het darem getroos.

https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Gallery/Kruisrivier-Gallery-Roger-Young-Studio-224833951012815/

Hoe spoel kindertyd nie deur jou kop nie, as jou voete weer ou grond raak. Hier het ons by die groot ou vuurherd na Antjie se stories geluister en vetkoek geëet! Deur die agterste hekkie het die klein voetpad ons telkens na die rivier toe geneem vir kleilat gooi en stout wees! Sorgelose tye van nefie en niggie pret op die agterste ou stoep en jare later orals na vryplek soek!

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Roger Young se storie is een vir ‘n ander dag want ons moet aanbeweeg!

Ons vat die pad oor Matjiesrivier en Grootkraal na De Rust. Ompad na Prince Albert, maar nie sonder rede nie! Deur Meiringspoort is mos ‘n moet as jy ‘n ‘safari’ deur die Karoo doen.



Die kleurvolle Prince Albert verwelkom ons. Die selfsorghuisie is luuks en lekker gesellig. Die boma en braai wag op ‘n knetterende vuur en goeie rooiwyn!



Prince Albert is ‘n paradys vir die rustige straatwandelaar, met prentjie mooi ou huise, winkeltjies, heerlike koffienessies en selfs ‘n eg tradisionele bioskoop!

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Ons het heerlik gekuier en die konsensus mening was dat hierdie dorpie weer besoek moet word! Ons het nie eers by Weltevredeplaas uitgekom om Adamsvye te koop nie! Volgende keer! Nou die Swartbergpas aandurf na ons finale stop in die Hel ( Gamkaskloof) en  Maggie.

Met die vrede en rus wat Tapfontein gebring het in ons, pak ons die volgende avontuur van hierdie mini safari! Met die kronkelpad uit die reservaat en in plaas van regs na Ladysmith, soos wat ek en Rosebud laas gery het, oortuig Frik ons om meer avontuurlustig te wees en vat ons grondpad na die Gamkapoortdam.

Ons ry oor Vleiland en Bosluiskloof met die allermooiste agterpaaie tot waar die gekettingde hek na die dam ons stuit! Terugdraai moes ons, maar dit was alles die tyd en moeite werd. ‘ n Fees vir fotos deur skoonsus, ons professionele fotograaf.

Deur die asemrowende Seweweekspoort en ‘n vinnige stop in Calitzdorp. Bietjie proviand kry en wegbreek van die grootpad na links vir ons kuier by Red Stone Hills op die pad na Kruisrivier! En ‘n tweede wow! Pragtige huisies teen die rooi koppe, skaduryke ou Peperbome, vriendelike volstruise en die allermooiste rose!

Hier by ‘Bird’s Nest’ (weet rerig nie hoekom Potgieters van die Klein Karoo hul huisies Engelse name moet gee nie!) besef jy weer die karoo is in jou bloed! Wel oupa Piet was natuurlik ook ‘n Potgieter en as kinders het ons reeds hierdie grond aan ons voete gehad. Ai, as ek en Frik maar net op een of ander manier ‘n grondeis kon hê!

Ons nessie is pragtig en die ou stoep belyn met rose en ‘n vista oor die volstruiskampe. Binne is die heerlikste herd vir gesellig kuier.

Hierdie is ook ‘n paradys vir stappers. Ons oggend met die wandelpad om die rooi koppe of bergie was ‘n fees van fotogebiedende tonele en ons fotograaf was voorwaar op ‘n ‘high’! Die flora langs die weg was absoluut asemrowend en mens kon nie help om so dan of wan net plat in die pad te gaan sit en te wonder waar hierdie als vandaan kom nie.

 

En hier en daar selfs fauna!

Tyd om die pad Kruisrivier toe te vat en so ‘n bietjie kleintyd nostalgie te gaan beleef, voordat die tog na ons volgende bestemming -Prince Albert – via De Rust aangepak word.

PS: Ons post safari pogings om die Potgieters te oorreed om twee van die ou huisies lang termyn aan ons te verhuur was edel en braaf, maar helaas vergeefs! Red Stone Hills is beslis ‘n besoek werd – https://www.redstone.co.za/

Hierdie was my tweede besoek aan die reservaat en ek het met die inry by die hek aan Montagu se kant net weer besef hoe onverken ons eie naby avontuurplekke is. Die kronkelpad na die kantoor by Vrede is nogal ver, maar tyd is mos nou nie meer ‘n faktor nie. Van die kantoor na die houthuisies by Tapfontein – LW net 4×4, so, jammer vir julle ander wat plat vinnige duur motors ry soos ons kabinet!

So naby aan die Metropool en tog so ver weg van enige beskawing! Tapfontein is net 4 of 5 Wendy huisies, ‘n toilet met ‘n uitsig na Ladismith se berge, ‘n lapabadkamer met ‘n eiertjie in ‘n nessie, ‘n plaasdam met ‘n windpomp en ‘n skuurtjie vir ‘n kombuis en ‘n parmantige kleine muis!

Ek het die belangrikste vergeet! Die heerlike braaiboma!

Die vrede wat in die stad uit bly, kry jy hier – sonder enige terme of voorwaardes. Dis heeltemal verniet en dan neem jou voete jou deur die beeldende kuns van die Karoo. Jy besef meteens hoe klein jy is.

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Meeste fotos met vergunning van my skoonsus, Janine!

Net ons vier alleen by Tapfontein! Wat kan ‘n mens meer vra? Ruimte, uitspansel, eenvoud en stilte vir ‘n siel.

Heerlike stappe, klouter en klim in niemandsland, boeklees en sluimer in ‘n dekstoel langs ‘n egte plaasdam en Karoo agtergrondmusiek verskaf deur die ou windpomp, lopende water en voëlgesang. As mens net maar kon, sou jy tyd se horlosie net hier kon stop. Tog – tyd vir aanbeweeg en Tapfontein eers agterlaat. Vir meer oor die geskiedenis van hierdie reservaat – https://www.capenature.co.za/story-behind-anysberg-nature-reserve/

Volgende bestemming – Red Stone Hills op pad na Kruisrivier aan die voet van die Swart Berg!

             Little Warrior
(for Zaida)
Should be your Spring now
little one
flowers in your hair,
cuddling rays of sun,
smell of jasmine, honeysuckle
and roses in your heart
and yet-
Winter clings and smothers so
O, dreadful dreadful foe
how bear you child this cold,
this dark, the tears
of soul crying out
for sun, for Spring
 
brave little Warrior for life
that you endure so without fail
and fearless climb the cliff
crossing bravely towards end
all of life’s rifts
full knowing in your heart
all cherished dreams forever sleep.
even would the sun thee fail
and winter so endure
then travel this so dreadful road
with grace and bold
as you always do
believing in life’s journey
 not for us to choose
but still with destiny secure.
 
23 April 2013

I wrote this for Zaida Adam posthumously to honour her as a dear colleague, friend and rolemodel. I do however so regret not having written it much earlier.

Zaida joined the office on the 1st of October 2001. She worked in the Conveyancing Department as a conveyancer, until her final farewell to this life and all of us on the 1st of December 2011.

She was not even 40 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She was subjected to a full compliment of cancer treatment, including surgery. She fought this battle like the bravest warrior on earth. For a short period her life returned to relative normality and could she start dreaming again. The photograph above  was taken at her ‘Bollywood’ birthday, which was, as she put it: ‘A celebration of life and love’. During this time she gave so much love and kindness to others who were also suffering from cancer. Special little messages, advice, ointments, creams and gifts regularly came Rosebud’s way, who was at that point also receiving treatment for cancer and ultimately also a brave survivor.

But it was not to be for Zaida, and the cancer returned. Yet again, Zaida did not waiver. Chemo, surgery, radiation and a forever warrior spirit brought hope that life could be resumed and hopes rekindled. At this point she made an even more passionate commitment to live to the fullest and found love again. And dreams.

Alas, it was not to be. The cancer returned for a third time and spread. She was tired of fighting, but still did not surrender. Weak and fragile she fulfilled her dream and resolve to go to Mekka to perform Hajj ( pilgrimage to Mecca). Dr Salim Parker, who was with Zaida, described her determination and resolve as follows in a subsequent article titled: “In Life’s departure lounge”:

I had admired her resolve to perform Hajj when she spoke to me about it a few months earlier. Now, she was virtually a few steps from the Haram and a few days from the most important day of her life: her moment on Arafah, her time as close as possible to her Creator before her time closed in.”

On the 1st of December 2011 Zaida parted with this world and all of us, who so respected and loved her. She is whole now, without pain, safe and living in perpetuity.

Will we ever forget Maggie? Never! Our most devoted companion ever! She welcomed us at oom Hannes se huisie deep in the Hell. No, not the one you are thinking off, but Gamkaskloof, otherwise known as ‘die Hel’.

Maggie is verseker die mees ervare concierge wat ek ooit teegekom het! Sy het ons met groot blydskap ontvang by Oom Hannes en vir die duur van ons heerlike kuier ons warmte, liefde en leiding gegee.

Heerlike geselskap as ons braai, swem of verken. Toergids sonder gelyke.

We will never forget our time with Maggie. Until we meet again Maggie.

I wandered today to the hills, Maggie
To watch the scene below
The creek and the creaking old mill, Maggie
As we used to long, long ago
The green grove has gone from the hills, Maggie
Where first the daisies sprung
The creaking old mill is still, Maggie
Since you and I were young
Oh, they say that I’m feeble with age, Maggie
My steps are much slower than then
My face is a well written page, Maggie
And time all alone was the pen
They say we have outlived our time, Maggie
As dated the song that we’ve sung
But to me you’re as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I were young
They say we have outlived our time, Maggie
As dated the song that we’ve sung
But to me you’re as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I were young
When you and I were young
Songwriters: Donie Cassidy / Michael Foster / Tony Allen

The meaning of the name Safari is Journey, Expedition. The origin of the name Safari is Swahili. This is the culture in which the name originated, or in the case of a word, the language. From Arabic word “safar” meaning“journey”
A safari /səˈfɑːri/ (Swahili: safari) is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists in Africa. In the past, the trip was often a big-game hunt, but today, safaris are often to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sightseeing, as well.

Whether it is Collins, Webster, Google or who ever, the modern day meaning, at least for me, and in terms of my ‘safari’, is simply ‘journey’ in its widest possible sense.

You with me?

This takes me to my first post retirement journey where i met Maggie!

Does Change have a heart? This question keeps hammering my mind. I am not talking about the kind of ‘change’ John P Kotter deals with in his book titled “The heart of change”, which deals with change management in the business or organisational context. I am talking about the way that life-changing events impacts on or deals with your mind, body and soul. Change in what you were used to, the way you lived, the way you thought, believed, the way you interacted with people, creation and the unknown.

Change brought about through own decision or choice and change brought about by vis major or the will and actions of others.

Loss of a loved one, grave illness, new job, baby-boomer disillusionment about the truth regarding church and state, realisation of having been a sucker for ‘brain-wash, ‘game over’, retirement, time and how the clock ticks,…..ageing and death.

Change is always tough,whether by choice or fate. Leaves little or no option for negotiation. Forces you to jump without parachute, well in most cases.

Still, Change is good, if it brings a change of  heart. If not, then it consumes the heart.

Just learned my daughter’s favorite cat died. The two little girls will be devastated. This is life and we have no control. We need to make peace with it. It is sometimes so hard!

“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.”
― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein

Well, I am getting myself totally tangled here and may be it is time, for now, to bail out.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

“You can’t stop the future
You can’t rewind the past
The only way to learn the secret
…is to press play.”
― Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

I am confused.

Eers relatief onlangs werklik kennis gemaak met hierdie lank reeds gewilde vleisdis. Die eerste poging was weens onkunde ‘n onaansienlike en haas oneetbare soutmonster wat ‘n Weskus bokkom smaakloos sou laat proe!

Wel, oefening baar kuns en hier kom dit:

Bestandele:

1. Goeie gehalte varkpens (sog-hoe dan anders?) . Tussen 1 en 1,2kg;

2. Ruim hoeveelheid growwe sout ( verkieslik dié sonder mikroplastiek in);

3. Growwe swart peper;

4. Olyfolie;

5. 4 x roosmaryn takkies.

Voorbereiding:

1. Sny met ‘n helse skerp mes snitte deur die vel of spekgedeelte ongeveer 1cm uitmekaar oor die lengte en ook oorkruis, maar sonder om in die sagte vleis self in te sny (anders as wat ek gedoen het!);

2. Besprinkel en vryf die bokant (velkant) ruim met olyfolie;

3. Vryf ruim growwe sout oor die vel en maal swart pepper daarna oor die vel;

4. Plaas die 4 roosmaryn takkies in ‘n foeliebak en lê die varkie saggies op dit neer.

Braaiproses

1.Die direkte metode word gebruik d.w.s net die onderste kolerooster word gebruik en nie die boonste braairooster nie. Plaas goeie hopies brikette in elke kole vakkie en laat brand tot al die kole mooi wit is. Plaas dan die foeliebak met die vleis op die rooster tussen die twee kolevakkies.

2. Plaas die deksel op en gaan stel ‘n wekker vir 1 uur.

3. Nou volg die belangrikste stap, so konsentreer – maak ‘n bottel wyn oop en skink ‘n glasie. Kenners meen ‘n Riesling, Chenin of Chardonnay kuier die beste met die varkie, maar dis natuurlik eers as jy begin eet! Voor die tyd is dit jou saak!

4. Moenie die deksel onnodig oplig nie. Met enigiets tussen 200 en 220 grade lyk die varkie na 30 minute ongeveer so:

3.Na ‘n uur se heerlik kuier en gesels stel jy die wekker vir nog ‘n uur. Gaan speel bietjie met die kinders, kleinkinders of die hond.

4. Maak nog ‘n bottel oop en soek na oplossings vir alles. Daar is.

5. Na die tweede uur is dit tyd vir nog ‘n bottel en ‘n verdere 30 minute se gesels, maar nou kan mens so af en toe loer. Dit behoort so te lyk:

6. Laat rus die ou varkie so 15 – 20 minute. Onthou hy is deur hengse hitte. Kry jou bykosse reg. Vir elkeen om te besluit, maar uiekwarte en baba aartappeltjies gebraai in ‘n swaar pan werk goed saam met gestoofde kweperskywe ( Koop sommer ‘n bottel). Gestoofde appels sal ook werk. Slaai is opsioneel.

Uiteindelik, maar met groot plesier!

Nou kom die heerlike smul en verder kuier! Nou tyd vir appelsap vir diegene wat nie meer kan nie en ‘n yskoue Chenin of selfs hardebaard Grenache. Skep op!

Wie ken die Karoo en meer spesifiek die Klein Karoo? Het jy enige idee wat dit aan mens doen?

Aftrede bring onvermydelik nabetragting. Dalk die meer tyd of die missie om tyd te vul, maar wat ookal, jou kop spoel terug en roep herinneringe op. Wat is meer gepas as reise na kindertyd  op hierdie tyd!

Kom ons vat die pad.

Kruisrivier se kindertyd so aan die Swartberg se voete, daar by Ant Babs se plaaswinkel, poskantoor, biblioteek en Antjie se roosterkoek.






Deur hierdie hekkie af rivier toe…. Dit is soos gister se tyd. Bosluisvoëls probeer klits van die beeste se rug. Antjie se stories langs die groot ou Aga stoof. Die reuk van roosterkoek, gesmelte botter en konfyt!

Jare later vir Rosebud saam gebring toe ons nog in die skool was en gekys.  Heerlik om die Agastoof gekuier en gedroom. Kalwerliefde uitgepluis. Heerlike ontdekkingsreise langs die pad.

Hier sit ons nou weer in Kruisrivier en stap deur Ant Babs se huis en tuin. Als vertoon snaaks genoeg nou klein…,maar tog was ek hier, maar toe nog klein. Ek voel dit in my hart, die swaeltjies in Roger Young se studiotuin, die stoep by die ou huis en die hekkie wat rivier toe lei.




Kruisrivier in die Klein Karoo – hier sal jy jou hart verloor…….

“Revelation” – ” a revealing , esp. the supposed disclosure of knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency” – South African Pocket Oxford Dictionary.

Attend only one event at the SASAPD (South African Sport Association for People with Disabilities) national games and the divine essence of Humanity will be revealed to you. I will put a wager on my life!

Everything on this earth is relative – what is ‘normal’, what is ‘happiness’, what is ‘confidence’ and ‘courage’? To the hundreds of kids, teens and grown-ups with physical disabilities who participated in the SASAPD National Games their lives are ‘normal’, their ‘happiness’ real and their ‘ confidence’ and ‘courage’ huge.

Our so-called ‘mainstream’ and ‘normal’ children are growing up in the so-called ‘normal’ society and very little overlap, if any, exists between the various ‘normal’.

When you spend time with the participants in the national games you observe their ‘normal’, ‘happiness, ‘confidence’, ‘courage’ and love. Suddenly your ‘normal’ society’s emotional poverty hits home. Also, the pettiness of most of the issues draining parents’ hearts, minds and pockets. Integral part of life skills ought to be a greater overlap of ‘worlds’.

I rest my case….