Saturday 09 June 2012-06-09

So the first real day of the rest of my life has finally arrived!

Last night I closed the CI chapter when I shut the door on the office and said goodbye to everyone. When I get back to SA, CI will be out of the Franschhoek offices which have served us so well for the past 20 years and Nikki and her Môreson team.

After Shabbat dinner, Harold Bloch my great friend and normal biking partner and I, (if he had his life properly organised he would have been on this trip with me) took out my new Jack Wolf skin tent and tried to put it up. For a while I thought the reason that I had been able to buy it so cheaply on a sale in the UK some years ago, was showing itself as nothing seemed to work.

Then that fall back of the modern era – YouTube- and there it was a video with a “chick” doing what had to be done with consummate ease. 10 Minutes later we had it up and it will be my home en-route from Vancouver to Anchorage for more than a few nights.

This morning I was up early. It has rained here for the past few days and there is water everywhere. Môreson and the Valley look stunning. This is the time of year in the Cape which I have always loved the most. From rainy sleep in days at UCT to the fire and smell of wet dogs pervading our farmhouse today.

Surrounded by eager dogs, by beloved four legged friends, we set off for a walk up the mountain leaving behind a sleeping household. First light. That magical time. Clouds hanging in the valley between the mountains. Water running out of every crack. Magnificent place.

At once I was immensely sad to be leaving this but excited at the thought of what is to come. The dilemma facing every explorer – leaving the comfort of the known for the unknown.

Walking up the mountain I reflected on all the times I have trod this route and the changes which have occurred during the 25 years in which I have been here. Then it was pine forests everywhere. Running with our then dogs. Emma my beautiful Pointer, Georgie our Rottweiler, Umfaan and Max our Labradors. Silence in amongst the trees and pine needles cushioning the feet. All of us lying in the Franschhoek River on hot days to cool off. Me able to run 20 kms with them with no problem.

Now walking but enjoying it just as much. Now the dogs are

• Fudge – my irascible spaniel. Despite Cancer of the Mouth he keeps going. Will he be here when I get back.
• Kumba – Our old Ridgeback. In so much better shape for the running with me every morning. Also nearing the end of his days.
• Molly – my favourite girlfriend. Next to my side as always for a while and then off following her nose.
• Tom – the pavement special. Actually found by Eveanne on the side of the road. Then a small black bundle. Now a tough all African Brak.
• Lucy – Our Ridgeback puppy. In the brainless zone between youth and adulthood. More energy than anyone can use.

Dogs in the water lying everywhere.

I could not help but think, as I walked that if I had unlimited time and money and this was not the South Africa of today, that to develop this area as an eco tourism wilderness would be a dream come true. Mountain bike and walking trails. Animals coming back and all the opportunities it would create. Alas in the New South Africa the broken wheels of government would make this a futile exercise and like the rest of Africa land grabs would ensure that everything one did would be undone at the drop of a hat.

This is of course what my trip is all about. Me and giving my head space and time to clear out 31 years of frantic business. 20 trips a year. Pressure everyday on my life. Juggling 10 problems at once. Fighting fires and dealing with people problems everywhere.

This is a time for me. Eveanne and I sat talking this morning as I briefed her about our bank accounts and affairs in case something happens to me. She asked me if I still want to go and there was no hesitation – I am on the way.