After a rough night and waking feeling about as strong as… well… I dunno what on earth could possibly be that weak… anyways, a very bad morning began. Fortunately I’d stopped getting sick, but had the cold shivers and couldn’t face solid food. Even looking at it made me wanna end things right then & there.
With the water situation desperate and things not looking up for me, I had to at least make it to the ‘dam’ ahead… a reflection I’d seen on Sunday evening before crawling in. But energy was nowhere and even just sitting up in the tent was enough to flatten me for another half hour. So I lay there, trying to stay warm… trying not to go insane.
A few SMS’es back & forth with friends and family and it was time to get moving… by this stage around noon. I couldn’t any longer… from dying of the cold to boiling in the sun, I had to get going & drink something.
I slowly broke camp & packed the bag – gotta be the worst packing job ever! And set off, slowly! I made it to the ‘dam’, which was more like a puddle of soggy clay – not great, but I did manage to get a litre of water before the water filter was completely clogged & didn’t want to filter any more… GREAT!
After heading up the hill next to the ‘dam’ (between it and the N1), I what appeared to read Coca-Cola – so headed straight for it. While deviating from the railway line quite extensively, I thought that my current condition was best dealt with by finding clean water… and possibly a soft patch under a tree.
Sadly, the establishment closed several months back but the owner still lives there and gave me fruit drink & filled two of my bottles. While trying to ask if I could camp on her lawn she told me about the great camping site in Touwsrivier… at the BP garage of all places.
Well, I guess I could make the 13km or so if I took it really slowly. So, feeling absolutely broken and in no state to move a muscle, I thanked her for the water & advice and moved on. I don’t know how long the trudge took, but I finally made it to the BP garage on the outskirts of town and have checked into a backpackers as there is no campsite in town.
It’s bargain acccommodation, and the shower was incredible. However, I’m struggling to stay upright to type this dispatch so I am gonna have to hit the sack shortly…
Good news is that my mom will be coming out to Matjiesfontein on Friday for my birthday. Yay! Thanks mom!
Well, sorry it’s not the usual fun – but I ain’t my usual self this evening.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement and support, they’ve certainly helped get me to Touwsrivier.
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