The story begins some years ago when a thoroughbred, wine drinking, hipster beard-wearing, voortrekker (that’s me, Johannes Nicolaas Coetzee or Jan-Nico Coetzee for people from the last outpost of the British Empire of Natal) decided to follow the wagon tracks of his forefathers of the likes of Piet Retief and his band of brothers, sisters, […]
We felt a little down after hiking for 40 days but we soon had a new challenge ~ #runtheberg. A 2-day stage race in October. Day one would head up the mountains and day two would be through the valley.Well, the weekend arrived and although we could have been fitter we decided that run or
Matthew Savides is fine about the cannibals but quaky with the horses on a weekend in the Northern Drakensberg IN the 1820s — or so the story goes — Zulu King Shaka’s army marauded their way through the Drakensberg, forcing smaller, weaker, worsearmed and less battle-hardened tribes to flee for their lives. One of those
I am always telling my students that the benefits of yoga are so far reaching I never have time to mention them all… but the one benefit that every single one of us living on this planet can benefit from… is releasing a bit of stress and tension. And that is what the yoga retreat
A wonderful painting holiday Perfect sunny weather and another wonderful painting holiday workshop has just ended. Anne, Jaclyn and Ebeth from JHB together with Maria, Rose and Gloria from DBN, were the enthusiastic participants with me, Colleen, being the teacher/fellow artist. We combine the relaxation of a peaceful ‘Berg holiday with the excitement and satisfaction
The Cavern, in the Northern Drakensberg, held its annual Stargazing weekend on 22-24 August. As usual Tim Cooper brought along a large telescope to show guests the wonders of the heavens. A large cold front cleared away during Friday, leaving clear skies, but with very high winds, the sky was very turbulent, and the observing
Spring isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. None of this balmy sun, gentle rain and birds fluttering their eyelashes at each other. Not now anyway. This is a real KZN Spring, still dry, alternating hot and cold, strong winds and a haze of fine dust and smoke. It’s no different in the Drakensberg,
August is not usually the best birding month; dry winds, four months with little or no rain, and ongoing cool weather all conspire against. But on the other hand there is the prospect of seeing high altitude birds taking winter refuge lower down. First prize among these is the Fairy Flycatcher, and in recent years
Every year the Khanyisela Project is fortunate to have ATKV Drakensville gap year students offer to assist us . On Monday Daphne and I delivered paint, brushes and rollers and met some of the girl students at Gugulethu pre-school. They were very enthusiastic and were soon busy painting. When they were finished there were beautiful
After 40 days of hiking we were all fitter and feeling healthier but the saying, if you don’t use it, you lose it, is too true. And, it all happens to quickly. Fortunately, the cousins that run All Out Adventures, have organised a Trail Run in October. Run-the-berg is the carrot on the horizon and
