Day 5 - hot and dry, but what a beaut! - 21 october 2009

The town Augrabies gets its name from the Augrabies Falls which is also knows as the water that thunder. Even before breakfast the riders saddled up for a ride to the Falls. The few hundred metres we had to walk to the lookout points were definitely worth the effort. Although the falls only have minimum water, the effect and beauty of the creation of this part of the country is awesome. The wide open spaces and the vastness of the open planes have a very calming effect on ones spirit and believe you me, by the fifth day not only the temperatures were soaring the tempers were also rising.

The rock formations and gorges are spectacular and lots of pics and videos were taken to remember these special moments.

Back at the lodge the ladies from Augrabies were waiting in the pink court yard to welcome the riders and enjoy a breakfast. More donations were presented and stories exchanged. A number of local bikers were waiting for the riders when they hit the road north to Kakamas, Keimoes and Upington.

Kakamas
With the temperature soaring and a few unplanned stops along the way, the vineyards and crisp green trees of Kakamas was like an oasis to the riders. As they rode into town to meet some locals at the quant Yanuk Coffee Shop, the pupils from across the road made a big noise to welcome them.

The local Cansa ladies as well as some pupils from the local schools handed over money that they had collected.
And for Annelie Saker, one of the riders, it was a pleasant meeting with old friends Karin Eric Walker, who specially came to meet her and the girls.

Keimoes
At Keimoes a large number of bikers, some with exquisite machines were waiting to ride with the girls to Upington. One of the Journey riders noticed an interesting sign in the little shop De Werf. It read: "Eisch al wat n vrou in die lewe nodig het, is 3 Ds: Daag op, Delegeer, Dissappear! " (Freely translated in English it means Eisch, all that a women needs in life is to know the 3 Ds: Arrive, Delegate Disappear

Upington
In Upington the centre of town came to a complete standstill when the Harleys roared into town. Roads were blocked off and the bikes were escorted by the local traffic department.

A large number of the riders had never been to Upington before and they were amazed at the size of the town. The hot, bothered and quite tired girls were almost instantly revived when they entered the shady riverside location of Africa River Lodge. Pick n Pay sponsored the fresh gourmet spread that was laid out by the Lodges chef.

Then it was splash time bathing costume or not. After cooling down, the ladies chilled for a few hours before taking to the Orange River on Sakkie se Arkie with a sundowner or two.

For the evening function the Ford showroom had been cleared and turned into a fancy venue. A whole programme was put on with artists Steven Stirling and Ryan Walt who stole the hearts with their voice and pan flute. About a year ago their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Steven was invited to take part in a competition in Italy where 56 countries took part and he came 8th with a song called Take My Hand - the song he has dedicated to their mother.

Take my hand and lets concur the fear together - from the song Take My Hand

Everyone spontaneous took hands and started singing the chorus together. This has been one of the trademarks of the Journey: the way strangers and friends relate to one another and share the burdens, experiences and joys.

Harleys make so much noise to drown out all worries - Steven Stirling

Christiaan du Plessis from FAMSA, who shared the good news that his wife has just been given a clean bill on her cancer, told the Journey that his organization wants to take hands in this mutual fight. As a gesture of their gratitude to the ladies for their dedication to the Journey, printed scarves were given to them.

Sharing..
Jani du Plessis, who had only recently finished a book on her life, shared how her life fell apart when breast cancer was diagnosed. "Not only did I lose my boobs and my spirit, my happy marriage also crumbled beneath this onslaught" she said and added that it was terrible living in a foreign country (Portugal) with all her family back in SA.

My journey with cancer is one of grace and not one of fall from grace - Jani

Elsje de Swardt then shared how she had lost more than her hair when her 4 year old son saw her for the first time without her hair and told her that she was not his mother and that she was ugly!

After this emotional moment, that all the breast cancer survivors could identify with, Lillian Dube took to the stage to lift the spirit with her hilarious account of how she kicked the cancer in its butt. She said that if she had a choice, she would not choose any other disease, because cancer has given her attitude and she has gained a whole family of "sisters" than not only shares the burdens, but who has given her love and support and the Journey of Hope!

“What you put into life, is what you get out of it” - Lillian

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