Day 4 – Aliwal North to the bottom of Penhoek Pass. Oh my word! The undulations of the Eastern Cape and its beauty were certainly seen and felt by the team today. BUT, let me say, right off the bat, they ROCKED! J The challenging intensity of the mountains would set apart the men from the boys, and we ascertained and confirmed that each member of THIS cycle team is made from the highest calibre! J Bevan got close to the bus today, but didn’t manage to pass me… maybe next time, boet. J

The day started off with an early wake up call, once again, after an incredible evening. We had been hosted by the amazing De Wet families, who welcomed us SO warmly into their homes. Brothers Pieter and Wouter, and their wives welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to stay in their beautiful homes. They also showed us a hidden ‘treasure’ on their farm, a private hot springs, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the cyclists for hours, allowing their bodies to recuperate after THOSE three hills……. We enjoyed a delicious braai around the ‘spa’ with Wouter and Pierre, whilst enjoying an interesting 4 X 4 ride back to the farm house, with jokes and tales of long past being regaled. Poor Brett had to keep jumping off the bakkie and closing the gates – no respect for elders anymore! J 

Day 4 started off at Aliwal North with an immediate little uphill….. way to go! And it didn’t get any better, let me tell you, until the last 7 km’s…… It felt like the whole 110 km’s was just about uphill. J And I was driving a bus!!!! With regular ‘pit stops’ along the way, we slowly wound our way along the scenic route. It certainly was majestic, with green Weeping Willows dipping their heavy boughs toward the overflowing banks of the dams we passed along the way. I have a dear friend who has a soft spot for Weeping Willows, so have captured a few for her on camera. I will post the best one to share with you.

In a day that did NOT reach the mid 30’s degrees Celsius, as in the past, we were extremely grateful, as it was tough going to reach the pinnacle of those mountains. A lot of liquid refreshment was enjoyed H20, and regular breaks and stops were had, to ensure that we remained together as a group.

Gordon Graham finally got to join this motley crew, and it was GREAT to finally have our FULL HOUSE all together. Here we were…. After months of talking about it, months of planning…. The team, doing it, together. It felt good! It felt right! This was all Sally’s idea, but then these other amazing and generous people seemed to think that this was a GREAT idea, and joined her, to make a difference, to share the story – to let others know the positive work that Living Waters is doing amongst vulnerable people within the Buffalo City region particularly, but having served people who have come from all over South Africa, especially abused women and children. The message: to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, to give them HOPE, to let them know that there IS light at the end of the tunnel.

If you would like to be a part of this exciting initiative, you CAN be! You can donate towards Living Waters, in honour of the Amazing Cycle Ride. South African visitors can sms 33102 and “LW”, followed by your pledge (sms’s charged at R1.50).  YOU can challenge others to do the same. Others can contact us to make a direct deposit, if you would like to. Follow us on our Facebook page: “Riding Bums from Bloem to Slums”. You can visit our webpage on www.livingwaters.org.za or www.ordinarypeople.org.za . Email us on admin@livingwaters.org.za

Ordinary people – together making an extra-ordinary difference, together changing OUR world!