At work I have been working closely with
the web developer to try and ensure that the content I developed for the
website is going up and all in place – it would be nice to have this done
before I leave. I’m also trying to tidy up the other bits of work like the
communications plan and strategic plan in time for my final day on the 15th
of March.
Last week, on Tuesday I played football at
the kick 4 life centre (amazing work they are undertaking up on this project
education through sport), and I think it’s safe to say that out 5 a side team
which included myself and John (another Welshman on the ILO initiative) as well
as my Cameroonian friend Robert a South African and a , was clearly the
best. It was amazing playing on the
hill, looking across the valley to the lightning flashes, though I wish I could
say the same for my playing – rusty wasn’t the word, decent in the link up
play, very poor finishing…never mind - a
knock to the ankle didn’t help matters. After the match I went to a friends
house for a tasty curry and watched the Man Utd vs Real Madrid game before
heading home for bed.
The rest of the week was fairly quiet and I
wasn’t very well, so a half day Thursday and a day off Friday were taken to
recharge my batteries which thankfully left me feeling much better. Friday
night was the leaving do of a friend Danny, so we gathered at his after food to
catch up, the non-drinking policy a part of my recovery and sensible approach,
yes I am capable of being sensible when needed….
Then early on Saturday I headed to the highlands
of Semonkong ‘the place of smoke’ with John, Vanessa, Stephanie and Fadi, the
journey may only be around a 130km, but the roads can be tough going (it’s a
good time to go as the Monday is a bank holiday – the King’s birthday!).
Thankfully we were in good spirits and enjoying the stunning scenery as we
passed through Roma, Ramabanta and then up towards Semonkong. However on one of
the many steep bumpy hills there was a huge truck that had lost control and
jack-knifed across most of the road, the only passing point was a modest yet
fairly narrow part of the road on the outer edge, we all left the 4x4 and Fadi
did a great job of getting it around and up the hill. The many ditches, divets and general parts of
the road that had been taken away made the journey funny, bumpy, yet comical –
John in particular was having more of a fairground experience in the back than
that of a drive. The rewards of the drive were huge, each corner turned opened
up a new spectacle, stunning views, cows across the road, suicidal goats
chancing it…and pretty much anything you could imagine. I don’t know how people
could do this route in winter!!
We finally arrived at Semonkong 2 hours and
45 minutes later. Well worth the effort. We immediately had to sign in and
unpack the vehicle in time to sign up for the abseil (training has to
undertaken the day before) we were soon perched above the small cliff (30
metres up) and being talked through the safety equipment and procedures. The local guys were great as we did our 3
separate practice runs, John and then Fadi deciding that the abseil wasn’t for
them. For me though it’s a personal challenge on a huge scale, heights are not
generally something I cope with very well.
Now when I say abseil, the abseil I signed
up for in the world’s largest commercial abseil at 204 metres high down the
edge of a waterfall, so pretty epic stuff for a novice like me. The rest of the
day was spent chilling and just enjoying the tranquillity of the countryside,
whilst Fadi and John when on the Donkey pub crawl around the village.
The pool table at the bar soon became my
place of residence at only 2 Rand a game (13.7 Rand to 1 Pound) it was ideal,
and overall remaining unbeaten for the entire day and night was a great
feeling! He-he. The evening meal was also amazing, a real treat – a steak!! And
a good quality one at that, I have been missing food like this. The creamy
butternut squash soup that preceded it was also delicious. Heading back to the
dorm at the end of the night, tired yet happy was a great feeling.
The early wake up call, at 7:20am, a quick
wash and then hit the road, Banana for breakfast in hand. The truck ride to the
top of the falls was great, seriously bumpy, blaring Basotho music – fun times!
The adrenalin and seriousness of my decision soon kicked in when I saw the
height of the falls – adrenalin rush galore. In the group around me I could
also sense the trepidation kicking in, joking around and keeping positive I
tried to keep the morale high, even more breath taking scenery all around. When
we arrived at the point, we put on the safety gear and then relaxed (tried to
at least) as the girls all got ready to go first (the friction of the rope as
it gets wetter makes it more difficult to go down, so as the girls were lighter
it made more sense for them to go first). However it takes each person roughly
10-15 mins to descend, so as everyone stepped off the edge I waited two hours
for my turn.
Then finally it was upon me, the 7th
person to go off. I can honestly say that I was beyond nervous; however, not
doing it wasn’t an option – time to bite the bullet! The sheer expose to that
magnitude of height and open space was enormous. The step off the ledge really
tough especially as the first 30 metres or so your feet don’t touch the rock
you are just sat there suspended in mid air, and then you start to spin, the
views are staggering, but the look down to the tiny dots of people at the
bottom kind of took away the appreciation, wow this is high up! Mentally I just
talked myself through it, slowly, slowly – one foot and one pull of the rope
after the other progress was good. Soon
enough I was in the groove, and pulled out my camera for a picture – deep
breath, look calm I said to myself. As the abseil continued the enjoyment was
there, but the desire to have my feet on terra firma was definitely something I
was looking forward to. The spray of the waterfall near the bottom was
refreshing, yet makes the rocks all wet and slippery, controlling mainly with
the hands to feed the rope through was the only option. I finally land and then
the team member at the bottom helps me to the ground to unclip. The walk along
the slippery rocks away from the landing spot is almost as tricky as the final
part of the descent.
Finally I make it up to the group and I can
relax, have a drink and watch the final two come down. Only seeing them allows
you to see the true perspective of the size of the abseil, they are ants barely
1/100th the size of the drop. So happy I made it!
The ascent up through the valley also delights.
It is truly wonderful, some of the most stunning views I have ever seen, like a
super mini grand canyon. The hike up is hard as the heat of the midday sun has
arrived and its steep narrow paths require intense concentration. We climb
steadily and after 30-40 mins we are finally out of the valley, looking down at
all its splendour. We travel back, everyone
having completed it in good spirits, yet tired. We arrive back and have food
before embarking on a lazy afternoon. John and Fadi go off to enjoy the pubs on
their donkeys – they return in good spirits and full of laughter.
The evening meal this time is a veg soup
followed by some tasty lamb chops. We then spend the night relaxed at the bar
before retreating to Fadi’s patio – we sit outside, a glass of rum in hand and
look up at the milky way and all the stars in the sky wrapped in our blankets–
I must have seen at least 7 shooting stars and make plenty of wishes. A magical evening in good company!
The following day John and Vanessa walk to
the waterfall and Steph and Fadi take the horses, I relax a read my book and
have a few interesting chats with some visitors.
They all return, we have lunch and hit the
road. The journey back is as stunning as the one there, and we make good
progress – arriving home I put my feet up and relax.
My final working week ahead!
Wow! Well done for conquering your fears!
ReplyDelete