Ex Africa Semper Aliquid Novi
Off to the Drakensberg for a few days. A beautiful part of the country. Family time, fresh mountain air, long leisurely walks and gently soaking up nature. Or so we thought.
In the morning the four of us set off eagerly for a walk. Down well-trodden paths initially until we came to steep hill. “Who’s up for it?” All four of us it turned out. Up an incline which seemed easy from below. Halfway up and the cliff faces were higher than I expected and I suggested we turn back. None wanted to. I scolded myself for allowing the family to get into this position. With drops of a few meters below we went up the face. My teenage daughter is a keen athlete and my misgiving gave way to astonishment. She clambered up, pulling her own weight with feet dangling on some of the ledges. Eventually she stood proudly glowing at the top of the hill. She had faced her fear of heights and left us all behind.
We ambled on. The next events happened in no more than five seconds. My wife gave a shriek and as I looked back a snake was storming toward her. Yes, storming is the only way I can describe the incredibly fast crawl. The snake reached up and sank its teeth into her ankle. Next it went for my daughter. She jumped away in fright. It then slithered away with….my son running after it! He turned round: “You can relax Mom, this one is not venomous.” His quick reaction was (I only realized later) based on his training in snake handling; first identify the snake species and then treat the person. My wife, always calm in a crisis, this time let out a few words I never knew was part of her vocabulary. We clambered down the hill, all the while keeping a close eye on Mom for signs of pain or distress. No signs, she was fine. She quickly regained her upbeat composure and now showed only irritation at the snake attack.
In the afternoon we decided to all go for a horse ride after the mornings’ near misadventures. Sitting on horseback meandering down mountain paths must be one of the most serene experiences one can have. Until my horse trotted across a wooden bridge. One of the boards broke as the horse stepped on it and I hurtled head first over the horse’s head. Some instinct took over and I tucked my head in to flip over and land on my hips with an ominous thud. I missed the side railing of the bridge by a few inches and in a frenzy the horse stomped next to my head a few times to break free from the bridge. I got up slowly waiting for stabs of pain; none came. Badly bruised though. The horse was unscathed.
Now here is the peculiar thing.
A day later, all us of felt relaxed and invigorated as never before. Was it because of being on the edge of potentially perilous events? Or being face to face with some of our most primal fears? I don’t know the answer. But what I do know is the family is unanimous in that we will go walking, cliff climbing and horse riding again any day. Bar the snakes, heights and tumbles of course. Or because of it?
Ex Africa semper aliquid novi.
Always something new coming out of Africa.
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Comments
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #18
Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸
7 years ago #17
Graham🐝 Edwards
7 years ago #16
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #15
Dean Owen The Sani Pass is where the highest pub is - also part of the Drakensberg. The pub was top priority after these events - and at high altitude quickly had the desired effect.
Dean Owen
7 years ago #14
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #13
Aaron Skogen Nothing like a fall to get you back in the saddle - very true Aaron - literally and figuratively. Would like to hear your story sometime. Thank you reading.
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #12
your son sure was, he sounds brave!
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #11
Lisa Gallagher I think you are spot-on Lisa. It was the overcoming of adversity together. The snake was a scary experience but my son was a little hero. Thanks for your reading and comments - from a gingerly seated me.
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #10
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #9
Don Kerr I had something stronger than wine - which strangely seemed to help with the seating as well :) Thanks Don for stopping by and reading.
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #8
Don Kerr I had something stronger than wine - which strangely enought seemed to help with the seating as well :) Thanks Don for stopping by and reading!
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #7
Jim Murray Thank you for reading Jim and for your experienced pointers on readability of posts. Your time appreciated.
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #6
Julie Hickman My kids were holding back the mirth at dad going headlong over the horse. I think the horse held back too :)
Gert Scholtz
7 years ago #5
CityVP Manjit Thank you for the link and reading deeper than than the story. Your exploratory mind is amazing City VP.
don kerr
7 years ago #4
Jim Murray
7 years ago #3
CityVP Manjit
7 years ago #2
CityVP Manjit
7 years ago #1