He who forgets the humming of the bees among the heather, the cooing of the wood–pigeons in the forest, the song of birds in the woods, the rippling of rills among the rushes, and the sighing of the wind among the pines, needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy. A day’s breathing of fresh air upon the hills, or a few hours’ ramble in the beech woods ‘ umbrageous calm, would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive. A mouthful of sea air, or a stiff walk in the wind’s face, would not give grace to the soul, but it would yield oxygen to the body, which is the next best… The ferns and the rabbits, the streams and the trouts, the fir trees and the squirrels, the primroses and the violets, the farm-yard, the new–mown hay, and the fragrant hops – these are the best medicine for hypochondriacs, the surest tonics for the declining, the best refreshments for the weary. For lack of opportunity, or inclination, these great remedies are neglected, and the student becomes a self-immolated victim.
~ CH Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students ~
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Mountains of a different flavour
After spending a few days in the Drakensberg's Royal Natal National Park, I managed to put in at least one "trail run" from Mahai to Tendele. However I did not end up running that much, partly because I am a bit unfit, partly because it is very steep, partly because of altitude, but mostly because the scenery was just too good to have it flash by with your eyes scanning the trail for a potential rock or root that could do serious damage to your ankle. Either way it was a good 3o -40 minute trip from Mahai to Tendele and I managed to get this photo of the Amphitheatre.It was great to spend some time in different mountains, these mountains have a completely different texture to the Cape Fold Mountains of the Western Cape. I never got high enough to experience the true basalt of the high berg, the round black rocks in the rivers with the white speckles are about as close as I got, but it was still good fun to enjoy the grassy slopes and I am now more convinced than ever that I need to make a plan to get to Sky Run at the end of the year.
But first up, it is the Midnight Hell Run and a delightful trip to the Swartberg!
Whatever shape or size your mountains come in, hope 2009 is injury free and that you are able to get out there and enjoy them regularly!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Good news
2008 is now almost a thing of the past, and the good news is, we have already starting cranking out plans for the OT 2009!
As soon as I get back from the December break, I will start sending out info regarding entries etc, but the entry fee will be between R100 - R150, and we are working on a long sleeve technical T also in the region of R100 - R150. So budget for a worst case scenario of R300 bucks (if you want a T-shirt), and hopefully we can give you the good news that it will only work out to R200 (if you still want the T-shirt).
Drive safely if you are going anywhere!
I am not a big fan of the materialistic spending spree over the Festive Season, but I do think it is good to stop and reflect about a Person who was born about 2000 years ago! What is more, His birth, death and resurrection were prophesied many year's before the event, and this is possibly the GREATEST NEWS ever told!!!
As soon as I get back from the December break, I will start sending out info regarding entries etc, but the entry fee will be between R100 - R150, and we are working on a long sleeve technical T also in the region of R100 - R150. So budget for a worst case scenario of R300 bucks (if you want a T-shirt), and hopefully we can give you the good news that it will only work out to R200 (if you still want the T-shirt).
Drive safely if you are going anywhere!
I am not a big fan of the materialistic spending spree over the Festive Season, but I do think it is good to stop and reflect about a Person who was born about 2000 years ago! What is more, His birth, death and resurrection were prophesied many year's before the event, and this is possibly the GREATEST NEWS ever told!!!
Isaiah 53:1-12
Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
(2) For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
(3) He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(4) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
(8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
(9) And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
(10) Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(11) Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
(12) Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
(2) For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
(3) He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(4) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
(8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
(9) And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
(10) Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(11) Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
(12) Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
YOUR comments on the run
- Although going about 5km off course and covering about 41k in total, I've no regrets. Running in such a beautiful location makes up for getting lost. ~ Stevie
- Most of us agree it was tougher than any other trail run we’ve done. I definitely want to do it again next year. ~ Ad
- I initially thought the route markings were a bit lacking, but the orienteering was actually fun. Can't wait to do it next year ~ Marc
- To share the day with Gisele was an absolute highlight! Thankfully the inclement weather did not result in any injuries and everyone was able to enjoy a very special time in the Outeniquas! ~ Chris
- Thanx for a great race and an awesome experience – I am still sore – something that hasn’t happened to me so long after a race, in a long time! ~ Mike
The Mad Scientist's Take on the OT 2008
It is always good to get some feedback from fellow event organisers, The Mad Scientist has written a blog post on the event and if you would like to read about it, click on this link:
http://chaosinnature.blogspot.com/2008/11/inaugural-outenique-trail-run.html
http://chaosinnature.blogspot.com/2008/11/inaugural-outenique-trail-run.html
Monday, November 24, 2008
And the winner is...?
Well for most it is not about winning, but about experiencing nature up close and stopping to admire the view or take a photo or two. There was some talk of some folks not sticking to the hiking trail that goes through Tonelbos and around the small dam, but instead taking an easier jeep track option. I wasn't there to play policeman, but those who stuck to the hiking trail got the full value for their entry fees, those who didn't were only shooting themselves in the foot. next year I will definitely tighten up this aspect of the race with a few unmanned CP's...
| Name | OVERALL TIME | COMMENTS |
| Eddie Mouton | 05:39 | 1st |
| Rinus Wessels | 05:42 | 2nd |
| Nicholas Smith | 06:02 | Chicken Run |
| Mike Ohlsson | 06:03 | 3rd (Trail) |
| Mike van Vuuren | 06:03 | Chicken Run |
| Jan Heenop | 06:05 | Chicken Run |
| Michael Graz | 06:09 | 4th (Trail) |
| Caroline Balkwill | 06:44 | 5th / 1st Female |
| David le Page | 06:44 | 5th |
| Jacques Mouton | 06:55 | 7th |
| Suzaan Kruger (Willie) | 06:58 | 7th |
| CJ Viljoen | - | CP 1 Start |
| Jeff Willcocks | 07:03 | 9th |
| Erika Groetpass | 07:50 | Chicken Run |
| Martin Grotepass | 07:50 | Chicken Run |
| Geert de Decker | 07:33 | Chicken Run |
| Klaus Kassel | 07:33 | 10th |
| Mary de Decker | 07:41 | Chicken Run |
| Glen Lindsay | 07:44 | 11th |
| Marc Rodgers | 08:10 | 12th |
| Rod Warner | 08:20 | 13h |
| Amanda Williamson | 08:27 | 14th / 2nd Female |
| Christine Collins | 08:27 | 15th / 2nd Female |
| Andy Cox | 08:50 | 16th |
| Chris Crewdson | 11:49 | 17th (Trail) |
| Gisele Crewdson | 11:49 | 18th/ 4th Female (Trail) |
| Jayde Butler | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Kevin Ewers | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Lee Rawlings | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Andrew van Blommestein | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Mark Wagenheim | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Sue Ulyett | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Barbara Hage | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Stephen Hector | DNF | Did not Finish |
| Bianca Grotepass | DNF | CP 1 Start |
| Frans Grotepas | DNF | CP 1 Start |
| Ad Cole | DNF | Withdrawn |
| Jo Mackenzie (Emily) | DNF | Withdrawn |
| Guy Wood | DNF | Withdrawn |
| Lianne Wicks | DNF | Withdrawn |
| Ryan Jucker | DNF | Withdrawn |
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Landy World comes to the party
We are very grateful for the support local businesses have shown us in the race. Another George business have literal provided the proverbial bandwagon, let alone jumped on!
Landy World have loaned us a 4x4 vehicle for the weekend to transport the marshal, seconds and yummy goodies up to Tierkop Hut.
So if you are one of the privileged few to own a 4 x4 and more specifically a Land Rover, do consider taking it along to the guys at Landy World for some T.L.C. when your vehicle needs its next service. They have 13 years of experience and will put it to good use in looking after your Landy.
Landy World have loaned us a 4x4 vehicle for the weekend to transport the marshal, seconds and yummy goodies up to Tierkop Hut.
So if you are one of the privileged few to own a 4 x4 and more specifically a Land Rover, do consider taking it along to the guys at Landy World for some T.L.C. when your vehicle needs its next service. They have 13 years of experience and will put it to good use in looking after your Landy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)