RI7ER JOURNAL POSTS

January 29th I woke up to a stunning sunny morning, got up at about 4 am, after spending 2 days tent-bound. Passing storms would go on for 2 to 3 hours then break off for ten to thirty minutes. Then the next  thunderheads would roll over and do their thing all over again.   I slept and ate a lot during those storms - it was a good unplanned rest and refuel of the body.

I got off to good start - paddled about 5 kms to the confluence of the Telle and Orange rivers where the border crossing between south-west Lesotho and the Eastern Cape province of South Africa is about 3 kms up the Telle river. Did a quick scout up the shoreline and it looked good to go, there was just enuff H20 to drag/haul my kayak and gear upriver and even paddle a few hundred metres in some deeper water. Arrived at the Telle border crossing at about 09h30. 1 of the easiest crossings I ever did at an international border. Stamp out ... walk across bridge ... stamp in.

The gentlemen on the RSA side did have to have a quick discussion - I was a unique case of border travel. I think they thought it would be cool to do something new and could find no reason why I should not cross. Officials from both countries stood on the Telle river bridge river to wave me off .

I paddled about 3 km's down river of the Telle River confluence, stopped to eat a tin of tomato sardines and a half loaf white bread, and also to make coms with family as I could see a cellphone tower a couple 100 metres away in the town of Palmietfontein.

I am about 5 mins away from getting back on H20 when I get a text from my sister: FLOOD WARNINGS. I take a mental note and get on the water - a good flowing section for 2 to 3 hours - then the river starts slowing down into a long pool. I think to myself: ‘Is this where the flat water begins?’  I arrive at the end of the pool and i see why the flow lost its speed . The confluence of the Cornet Spruit on river right is a crazy, manic, wild, turbulent flood of mud, water, freshly uprooted trees, plastic bottles, cans, aerosol balls, exploding waves, sand banks breaking off, farm fertiliser, sheep and goat faeces. You name it, it was coming down the Cornet Spruit.

Jean, you were bang on the money, sister.

The Orange had lost its flow for a short section due to getting dammed by the bigger flow running in across at a 90 degree angle. I found camp shortly after - time to get off the river and re-evaluate what’s coming up. The river rose another 3 feet overnight .