Dearest Friends,
It seemed impossible and then it was done… I can hardly believe it is all over. What a disappointment to wake up on Wednesday 28th May and not have to walk in the hills…
I loved the incredible support from friends close and far, I so enjoyed the messages and was thrilled that everyone joined me on my photo journey. So to each and everyone out there – thank you!
In the beginning I had very big ideas but life has a sneaky way of getting in the way… Thankfully a couple of glasses of wine and a lovely dinner in the Midlands hatched the fundraiser plan – the Big 5 Hike. This became our only day with a target. 19 hikers each bringing in R5000 and I would donate the top-up of R8000 to make a total of R103 000. Numbers are wonderful. Much easier than words! The 19th May would have been Gogo Ruth’s 103rd birthday and we’d toast her in Cannibal Cavern.
A very special thanks to all those that hiked with me and all my cousins…! It was a day to remember and the good news is that we got to our target plus some more. 17kms. 5 peaks. Much nattering. A few achy joints. A few achy bodies. Plenty of banter. And, a lovely drink thanks to Midlands Beer on our return.
And that was only one day. My other very special hikes were hiking from place-to-place. There is tremendous trekking in the hills and I can’t wait to do it all again. The Cavern to Witsies to an almost Amphitheatre Ascent to Thendele and then home was tremendous. We need to get more folk to come and enjoy the great outdoors… And my, it is so good for the soul. Ever down? Just walk!
Another super few days were spent going from The Cavern to Sungubala to Drifters to Montusi and via the Berghouse to Vote. And, on Les’ birthday we were treated to a Vulture spectacle. 60 birds circling above us. Magic.
I would love to hold on to each and every day because there were different folk, different chats and wonderful experiences shared – from Carol & Sharon up Juluka Pass, to Ant & Jean walking to the Policeman’s Helmet for the first time, to Jane & Robbie joining us up the Gorge, to the many, many guests from The Cavern who were sincerely interested and supportive of our endeavours here in the berg and then to my amazing family – Hilton and our gorgeous three, my dear sister Les who made sure I never walked alone, and my parents who have found their walking legs once more. And, to my boet, Murray, who posted our pics and made sure we had a current blog each day.
Life is about continual learning. I think we make great teachers if we are always open to this… And watch out folk – in one way or another we all teach! My one very valuable lesson has been to not focus on the cash and to be grateful for whatever we managed to raise. Today, I have sat down and done a relatively accurate calculation and I am actually quite blown away – R181 237.50 to date. This goes a long way in helping us realise a dream – that children have a chance to realise their potential. Quality education is key to helping us address many problems… So thank you all. You are all marvelous. Blooming marvelous.
With love,
Meganxxx
If you can dream it, you can do it ~ Walt Disney ~ You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream… ~ C S Lewis ~ All the world is a laboratory to the inquiring mind ~ Martin H. Fischer ~ It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. ~ Confucius ~ Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. ~ W.B. Yeats ~ He who opens a school door, closes a prison ~ Victor Hugo