Umtamvuna Views: Lana and Louise conquer gruelling hike
Lana is the oldest entrant ever and although this was her very first hike, she did very well and completed the whole 260km.
TWO Leisure Bay women have managed to tick off another item on their ‘bucket lists’. Louise Bouwer (62) and Lana Botha (77) signed up for the gruelling 260km Namaqua Camino in the Northern Cape.
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The pair embarked on a strenuous training program a few months before and became a regular sight pounding the roads along the Lower South Coast. A few weeks ago they made the trip to Durban and met up with three friends who had entered. They headed north for three days to reach the starting point at Hondeklip Bay where 25 hikers from all over the country set off at the start of this arduous ten-day hike.
Tough going
Tents, gear and clothing were transported from one overnight base to the next. The going was rough and tough and every evening a volunteer did foot checks to administer first aid to blisters, cuts and bruises. Lana is the oldest entrant ever and although this was her very first hike, she did very well and completed the whole trail. Although the landscape was very arid, spring flowers, mainly gezania and fygie, put on a fabulous display. They returned home suntanned, blistered and sore, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Foul play
Silvia Spencer of Port Edward has a reputation for being an ‘extreme’ dog lover who spoils and pampers her five dogs. Imagine her distress at finding all five were desperately sick one night last week. She called local vet Dave Watson, who rushed to her aid in the middle of the night and struggled for more than two hours to save her dogs.
Sadly two died and the others are in critical condition. Dave suspected the dogs had been fed poisoned meat.
The third member of Silvia’s pack has also since died and her ‘gentle giant’ ridgeback waswracked with convulsions and is still desperately sick. Her little Jack Russell recovered completely.
Criminal tactic
The question is: Who would do such a dastardly thing to defenceless animals? The fear is that it is a tactic of criminals who wish to eliminate any obstacles in their line of ‘work’. Silvia is devastated by the senseless murder of her dogs and full of gratitude and praise for Dr Watson who went way beyond the call of duty to try to save her pets. Apparently a number of cats and dogs in Port Edward have also been poisoned recently.
Celebrate Sean’s life
A memorial service for Sean Murray, (54), who died of a suspected heart attack on October 1 will be held at the Methodist Church in Port Edward this Saturday, October 13, at 1pm. Husband of Vanessa and father of Kerry, Sean was well known, well liked and active in the Leisure Bay community. He will be sorely missed.
Beached whale
Last week a young humpback whale was found dead on the beach near Caribbean Estates. It is presumed that its demise was caused by exceptionally high seas that pounded the coast a few weeks ago. Apparently the word spread very fast and soon group of locals arrived to harvest everything that was edible from the carcass. Soon only the skeleton remained, which was eventually washed back into the sea.
Happy birthday
Birthday wishes go to Heidi Wichmann, Lorraine Lilje and Hazel Delaney.
All news to Philippa.
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