Memorable moments: The Wit Els hopping hazard

In 2006, I returned to Cape Town for the Wit Els hike with Ally, Russell, and our friend Mike. It was a formidable four-day undertaking: a steep mountain climb followed by a descent into a deep canyon for days of relentless boulder hopping along the river.

Just before we set off, Mike met two pretty Belgian backpackers. Smitten, he impulsively invited them along. We began the ascent, finally reaching the summit in the pitch black—only to discover that the top of the mountain was engulfed in a raging wildfire. It was terrifying, but we managed to reach "The Hoar Hut," which fortunately sat within a protective firebreak. We spent the night huddled inside while the world outside turned into a furnace.

The next morning, we descended into the steep canyon to begin the boulder hopping. It was here that Mike’s romantic gesture collided with cold, hard reality: the Belgian girls were catastrophically bad at it. They had zero balance and were incredibly cautious. Every hop was a twenty-minute negotiation.

By day three, we had only covered a third of the river. The "four-day" hike was looking more like a fortnight. With our supplies and patience dwindling, we were forced to take the only emergency exit on the river—a brutal, punishing climb back out over another mountain.

It was a stark lesson in the logistics of attraction: when inviting strangers on a boulder-hopping hike, always ensure they actually know how to hop.

Jessie gets maried to Greg

On Saturday, we went to the wedding of Jessie (my cousin) and Greg. The cereremony was held in a church right next to Norman and Wilga's beautiful house in Leamington Spa. It was a lovely service - and the pastor was a real character. Jessie looked absolutely gorgeous in her beautiful wedding dress. She had two very young flower girls - one was cute, little Camilla, Emma's young daughter. Greg also looked very dashing in his morning dress.

Mum and daughter

Here is Wilga, Jessie's mum. She too looked lovely and very happy to see all her kids now happily hitched. William got married to Clair in September last year. The reception was held in Norman and Wilga's beautiful garden. We enjoyed some sun (the weather played ball for a change!), with champaign and appetizers.

Looking very smart

Here we are, resplendant in our wedding garb. Ally found a very shapely dress just days before the wedding and looked lovely in her hat. The English love their hats at weddings and no wedding outfit is truly complete without one.

The Young Ones

Here are Emma's little ones and some of the other cute kids at the weather. They all seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Now I ask you very confidentially, aint she...

Well, here is a full length shot of Ally so you can properly see her dress.

Dinner and speeches

A Marquee had been set up in the garden and that's where we had dinner. A delicious buffet of chicken and fish, roasted vegetables, tossed salad, new potatos and gorgeous home made mayonaise. Then strawberry icecream, lavender biscuits and fresh berries.

The speeches after dinner were excellent. Norman made everyone laugh with some great comic lines. Greg made all the girls misty with some very heart felt sentiments about Jessie. He is a lovely, genuine guy and absolutely adores Jessie - a perfect match. The two best men then told some hearty stories about Greg's formulative years. They showed us some hilarious photos - here are two of them showing the transition of Greg from little school boy to hell raising teenager.

Getting down on the dance floor

After the speeches, we got to dance. The music was great and Jessie and Greg put on a good display in their "first dance". It's wonderful to see Jessie and Greg so happy and obviosuly in love. They are off to Africa for their honeymoon - Victoria Falls, Okovango Swamps in Botswana and Islands off Mozambique.

Ally didn't dance exclusively with me all night - she was enticed away by another very cute young guy

It´s Mike! (or P Stain as coussin Jessie likes to call him!)

Michael Clarke (Colleen's flame for many years and a good friend of ours) was at the wedding and it was awesome to see him again. He's still living in London and has just started his own company (he's left his previous job where he built the site for "My Voice") - so is working very hard. He's as fun as ever and we had some good laughs. Hopefully we'll see him again when we spend the weekend in London at the end of this month.

Mike

Special memories

• "Errr, howdi Mike!"
• Doing the Otter Trail in 2000 and going "natural"
• Vaulting over that stone in Hogs Head in Ally´s car
• Buckaneers Backpackers in Cintza
• Playing tennis (Ah, what a serve!)
• The Wit Els hike 2005
• Jessies wedding
• Playing touch rugby at Hydes Park
• The Willow Road days and that idyllic summer when Clifton was warm
• Hikes up Table Mountain
• Braais in London
• Sharing the rugby world cup experience in 1994
• Commiserating over the "Run Donald Run!" incident in the world cup cricket
• Staying over at Ealing Broadway in London during 1997
• Walks in parks and commons in London
• The Hoar Hut hike in 1998
• Concerts in Kirstenbosch
• Skinny dip at the Houenort
• Jessie and "pee stain"