RI7ER JOURNAL POSTS

Am camped under the bridge at Groblershoop, cos there is f--k all campsites with the higher water and the ever consistent lining of the rivers steep sandy shoreline with reeds and thorn bush. Could be up for more limited camping all the way to Augrabies.

Relaxed start to the day with slow pack and paddle across river to portage the wall. Portage took about an hour, I helped the time factor with a cheeky run across the top right of the wall into an eddy. An easy manoeuvre, but big consequences if I had misjudged.

I slipped and smashed my 3 boiled eggs on portage whilst reminding myself to write in my notes about loose rock at dam wall portages. Amazing how things happen whilst you think about them!

Almost camped at Rooisand on a hot rocky ledge, but then went for Groblershoop. Cold Coke was too tempting. Scrounged for a place under the bridge to set up tent and then missioned for half hour through heavy thorn bush and over a creek just to get on the bridge. Downed 2 Cokes on arrival in town.

Town was a riot - Friday afternoon and end of the month PAYDAY. A large proportion of the people were well on their way - stumblin’, mumblin’ and bumblin’ with bottles wrapped in plastic hanging loosely from either lips or limp arms. There was a guy selling cd’s who had a sweet sound system and he was giving the beat to keep every set of hips loose. Mothers with the month’s groceries at their feet were circled by dusty kids with lollipop faces. The woman working at the Cow and Chicken Fried Chicken Joint looked like she had had enough of the show going on. Street vendors added colour to the scene with cheap plastic merchandise .

I sat and watched the show for a while until the taxi’s and farmers came and picked up the whole lot ... and then it was quiet.

I got back to camp at sunset, quick rinse in the river, half a fried chicken and 2 beers for dinner and then a fun chat with Ine, wrote this lot and am about to go to Dreamland .