“Every man dies – Not every man really lives.” – William Ross Wallace.
Before I left Germany on 18 May I went to say goodbye to my German friend and companion on many trips, Hans Koenig. Today he finally lost his battle against cancer. To his wife Doris and family my deepest sympathy. His death is also our loss.
Die laaste twee dae se ry het my oor baie grondpaaie deur baie klein plattelandse dorpies geneem. In baie kon mens die wil om te oorleef sien, in ander was die testament reeds teen elke lamppaal opgesit. Edenburg, die dorpie waar ek my onderwysloopbaan begin het, is een van die wat ooglopend boedel oorgegee het. Dis hartseer.
Ek wonder hoekom kry sommiges dit reg om weer op te staan en die reisiger uit te nooi om daar te vertoef? Lê dit net by die munisipaliteite?
Ek is vanaand in Welkom by my ou vriende Jacques en Estelle. Ek het my ryplanne verander en gaan nou eers Sondag by my huis aankom. Ek het by Hoërskool Bothaville die pen as onderwyser neergelê. Die skool hou die naweek groot reunie. Aanvanklik het ek nie beplan om dit by te woon nie want ek was mos op reis. Nou is ek hier en het ek aan die versoeking toegegee. Ek gaan vir die laaste twee aande van my toer my tentjie in die tuin van een van my beste (gewese) langafstandatlete, Emma Noëth en haar man Anton, opslaan. Sy het ‘n kamer en ‘n woonstel aangebied, maar ek wil in my tentjie slaap, en die reunie in my klere van die laaste drie maande bywoon. Die eggenote van die gewese skoolhoof het my gister in Middelburg, Kaap, gesien en vertel hoe sleg ek lyk. Lang hare, ongekam, grys baard. En die ergste was dat sy volkome reg was! Só gaan ek dan Saterdagaand die osbraai bywoon. Die dans sal ek maar los, my klere ruik al.
Vandag het Willie Landman van Ventersburg en Ben Claassens van Hennenman my langs die pad ingewag en tot op Ventersburg saamgery. Toe het Christo weer saam met my tot in Welkom gery. Baie dankie manne! Willie, vir die sweis van die tas se houer en vir die braaier, baie dankie! Loer bietjie in by http://www.swanniebraai.com
Die KLR het vandag na 64 000 km oorgeslaan. Tot met die volgende toer wil ek nog meer ry. Ek beplan ‘n kuiernaweek by my vir die manne en dames met motorfietse wat ‘n bietjie in die bosveld wil kom ry. Ek sien al klaar uit na die Saterdagaand se sit om die vuur en al die stories wat ons gaan vertel en hoor.
I HAVE TO TELL THE FOLLOWING IN ENGLISH.
We are so close to our target of R 90 000.00. I believe that on the night of our dinner on 18 September we will pass the target. At the moment we are just under R 15 000.00 short of the target. WELL DONE TO ALL OUR DONORS!!
If you want to attend the final dinner on 18 September please contact Riana de Villiers (see http://www.naboom2germany.co.za) If you want to donate your R 10.00, see the same web site. THERE IS NO DONATION TOO SMALL!
And lastly, the real heroes, and not forgetting Operation Smile, are all those doctors and medical staff who donate their holidays to do these operations. They are the angels of hope and angels of light on this African continent. If you are a believer and if you pray, say a special prayer of blessing for those absolutely wonderful people!!
An angel is someone who helps you believe in miracles again. And that is a friend, lover, child.
— Author Unknown
The lore of travelling alone.
I met Koot van der Merwe on the road between Edenburg and Bloemfontein. Koot is the brother of Makkie Hattingh whom I visited in Cairo, Egypt.
It was an honour for me to meet the wonderful gentlemen in Ventersburg.
Africa, Europe, Russia / Siberia! Well done KLR! 
Wat ‘n volmaakte manier om die toer af te sluit! Geniet die makietie by die skool. Ek hou van die aanhalings! Jy LEEF beslis en is ‘n voorbeeld vir ons ander.
A-nee-a Lodie. . .muti-maak soos ‘Jopie Adam’ – onthou/ken jy hom?
Daar is niks so lekker as ‘n afspoeletjie in ‘n stroompie water. . .dit sal jou goeie gees ‘preserve’ !!
Jou gees mag/moet jou toer behou, maar sal, beskawing, van jou – weer skoon hou!
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
– When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
– Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
– Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
– Take naps.
– Stretch before rising.
– Run, romp, and play daily.
– Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
– Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
– On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
– On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree
– When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
– Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
– Be loyal.
– Never pretend to be something you’re not.
– If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
– When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!