I was woken the next morning by the sound of Howard passing my couch.
Howard is a friend of Brian and Caroline and he arrived at the pub the night before, whilst we were having a beer. On his way home to Richmond, he had car trouble and the nearest port of call was The Barley. So we were in fact 2 couch surfers. The beers were cold, Caroline's lasagne was excellent, the company was good and the tunes coming from the ipod were brilliant and non commercial. Great for a change.
Conversation carried on over a few cups of morning tea. It is amazing how quickly you can get to know people and the community in which they live from the stories that they tell about themselves and each other. These are generous, genuine and entertaining people. Brian is an ex pro caddy, Caroline an ex graphic designer and Howard makes stove fireplaces. Quite an eclectic bunch. I loved my time with them.
Howard is a friend of Brian and Caroline and he arrived at the pub the night before, whilst we were having a beer. On his way home to Richmond, he had car trouble and the nearest port of call was The Barley. So we were in fact 2 couch surfers. The beers were cold, Caroline's lasagne was excellent, the company was good and the tunes coming from the ipod were brilliant and non commercial. Great for a change.
Conversation carried on over a few cups of morning tea. It is amazing how quickly you can get to know people and the community in which they live from the stories that they tell about themselves and each other. These are generous, genuine and entertaining people. Brian is an ex pro caddy, Caroline an ex graphic designer and Howard makes stove fireplaces. Quite an eclectic bunch. I loved my time with them.
I like the way the place has been decorated.
There are some interesting artifacts, strewn all over the place.
Howard, Susan, Brian and Caroline
The unfinished painting.
The previous day's 105km had really taken it out of me. I have been struggling for quite a while now and wake up every morning hoping to have turned the corner. Also, I have walked way more than I could have imagined. This morning it was clear that it was situation normal. There was to be no miraculous turn around. The tree plantations in this SAPPI owned area numerous and cover vast areas.
Sadly this picture does not do it justice, but it is impressive when you see it first hand.
I took this whilst walking.
I was headed for Creighton. Only a short 40 odd km leg, but I had nothing left in the tank.
Brian had suggested a route that took me along the Umzimkhulu river.
There are numerous little villages dotted all along the river. A unique feature is the green paint that adorns the walls of many of the houses. Seems like this colour was on special.
Often, during my trip, I would be joined by someone whilst walking. On this occasion a young man was telling about the hopelessness of his attempts at finding a job. Not the first and only time that I heard this story from a temporary traveling partner.
Some woman from one of the huts shouted out to us. He started laughing and shouted back to her. She says"I don't have a boyfriend. I want the uMlungu."
He seemed to enjoy the attention and walked with me for quite some distance.
He even offered me something to eat when I told him that I was on my way to Creighton to eat and rest..
Amazing how these people are prepared to share what little they have.
My idea was to do half a day, get some rest and to eat properly and to see if this would improve my performance the following day.
Creighton has a big hospital where a lot of nurses come to do community service as part of their qualification. Young white girls and the sons of local white farmers. I had supper in the hotel pub that night and watched with interest, the courtship dance as it developed.
There are 2 beautifully restored steam trains that run on a narrow gauge railway through this lovely countryside. Steam enthusiasts come from all over the world and the short 30km run, is very popular.
The Paton Express is as it's known.
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