Without knowing why,
Anxiety levels were high.
The feeling of trepidation that had been gnawing at my gut, grew, as I drove Nyati towards the Namibian border crossing at Noordoewer.
I'd spent yesterday fretting, getting medical travel insurance in place, drawing cash, making copies of the logbook & vehicle insurance…
All paperwork was in perfect order.
Organised… in a file…
Ready.
And yet…
And yet…
I KNEW Nyati was overweight.
Somehow, I didn't think it was that.
I don't like that there's no plan…
No route…
No idea of where to overnight…
Was there even anywhere secure to stop within a hundred kilometres of the border ?
Do I even want to go at all ?
"Jesus, it's hot too… 45c in the shade".
I badly wanted to discuss options, exchange ideas, hear an opinion, develop a plan of action with someone, but it would have to be done alone again…
One step at a time.
Roll onto the weighbridge…10,180kg.
Shit, 680kg overweight…
No reaction… All eyes on Nyati's horns.
Roll across, off…
Immigration… 3months, perfect…
Road tax…R 572.00… No problem.
Hey hey, they take visa too…
Police roadblock…a young one, he wants my licence… try one of the photo shop specials, it might not come back…
Where's my PDP ?…
Oops, I don't have one… Old Man smile.
"Eish, I don't even know what that is", offering a Peter Styvesant…
Shrugging, rolling eyes, maybe even thinking, "There's no fool like an old fool", he takes another…for later, I suppose.
Hell, it could've come down to a bloody PDP… But didn't.
Bless the tobacco industries' nicotine stained hearts.
No firearm declaration either.
Okay, now to find somewhere to crash.
Unfortunate choice of word, but Nyati understands '60's speak…
Nyati's Mojo's working…
Nyati's feeling groovy.
The place was perfect…
On the banks of the Orange again.
The best so far.
Cool under the trees, watered, spacious & very well maintained…
"Amanzi trails"… Owned & run by Johan & his wife, looks wonderful.
Just what's needed.
Sunset put a magical, golden glow on the river…
I wondered how many diamonds had washed past this exact spot, even now, en-route to the Atlantic.
I'll stay awhile.
Establish a plan.
Laze in the river.
Climb out of this mental "tar pit".
Maybe find some company… Get laid.
We parked near an overlander from England, so at least Nyati's got a friend.
Bless Peter Styvesant… 😉
Every time I hear these lyrics by One Republic I think of you.
“I Lived”
Hope when you take that jump, you don’t fear the fall
Hope when the water rises, you built a wall
Hope when the crowd screams out, they’re screaming your name
Hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay
Hope that you fall in love, and it hurts so bad
The only way you can know is give it all you have
And I hope that you don’t suffer but take the pain
Hope when the moment comes, you’ll say…
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived
Hope that you spend your days, but they all add up
And when that sun goes down, hope you raise your cup
Oh, I wish that I could witness all your joy and all your pain
But until my moment comes, I’ll say…
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived
Oh [4x]
With every broken bone, I swear I lived.
With every broken bone, I swear I…
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived.
Oh [4x]
I swear I lived. Ohhh [2x]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0knKvzuFjJM
Oh yeah… I'm not going to die wondering Babe… Not if I can help it. 😉