A battle with Gravity - A return to the Wilderness, Part 2 On the way up it pulls you down with a whisper, then conversational advice, and then a scolding voice saying: 'don’t go, it’s too high, it’s too steep…' on the way down, it welcomes you, feeding your tired momentum as your brain has violent and bloody premonitions of you falling face first into the stone and gravel. Here, below, is a look at a truly grand weekend, tackling my toughest hike thus far. A great challenge it most definitely is, though the real test lies – knowing now what I went through – in going back and, having at it again. This was my first time (along with several others), but there were those in our team who were climbing this mountain for the 2nd, 3rd and even 5th time (our leader Ricky has made it a yearly pilgrimage for the last half a decade). I won’t regale you as to why we climb, why we brave freezing temperatures, or what compels us to wade through thick foliage or clamber up and over boulders on all fours… that’s for another day (or perhaps last week’s entry, but I will say that it is a deep and resolute compulsion… actually, it can be summed up in a simple way: it makes you come alive! For we were not made for offices, streets, suits and skyscrapers, we were made for the wild. It will not shout nor prance, it will appear to you as a subtle tap on the shoulder, a veritable whispered secret, in the way the sea calls to a sailor. Once you turn to answer, you'll keep going back for more... for ourselves, for closeness to God, for survival, a photo op, for passion, inspiration, or just, to escape. High Fives, slaps on the back and hugs to Lenoray, Ricky, Juwelin, Mama T, Nina, Quentin, Mike, Frank, Gavin, Nicole… and of course me. To great company, breathtaking views and sore limbs; Cheers! Till the next time... "To-morrow We Disappear Into The Unknown" "You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself." Here’s some notes for those looking to give this hike a go, here are some vital bits of info… The Hut close to the summit sleeps about 20 so if your team is not big you will probably end up sharing the facilities with several teams. You will hence have to pre-book as there’s usually a waiting list (we somehow managed to squeeze in at the perfect time). Contact Megan for further arrangements and ironing out of details [email protected] The arrangements are as follows; you’ll drive to the “base” hut/house where your cars will be driven to a more secure location in the town of Robertson – where from you’ll be shuttled back to the house (facilities include beds/mattresses, kitchen, indoor braai, hot water, toilets etc… there is electricity). You’ll climb up to the hut on day one (also with warm water, mattresses braai place, so bring your own meat). You climb down on day 2 – brace yourself, it’s a B*t*h of a down climb! Call ahead on the way down for the shuttle, so you can collect your car/s. This hike is rated as SEVERE - and it lives up to it! Direction’s: From Worcester, enter Robertson (on main road/Voortrekker) Turn Left into Paul Kruger Street (just before KFC). Continue along this road for a while. It will feel as though you’re exiting Robertson as it bears/deviates slightly to the right. Eventually you’ll come to a four-way stop (with green fields ahead and to the right) Turn left into Paddy Street. (*Apologies, I was tired and didn’t count the number of streets you’ll pass to get this far). You’ll then pass through a small suburb. Drive straight; continue past the Dagbreek Primary School, and over the speed bumps. Eventually the road will turn to gravel and will bend toward the left. The road will wind up into the hills for a kilometer or 2 until you find the Dassishoek hut on your left (it has an open sided corrugated iron carport on one side. - Go in peace - God Bless! -
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Benjamin John Howard - aka, Ben Howard... is a man who knows how to make music. If you're tired of the superficial, overproduced, loud collaborations of the music industry today (despite many of them actually possessing some talent - only to be drowned out by commercialism), then I implore you to lend your ears to this man's sound. It's deep, it's instrumental and some might even call it an acquired 'genre specific' taste (only if you like this type of music) - regardless of your taste-buds, you will have to admit that whatever he does, he does it well. He's the sort of musician that's a rather rare or dying breed in the modern music landscape - a throwback to the acoustic artists of old. Rising to prominence in Britain in 2008 (at the age of twenty) with his first self released EP (followed by two more in the next two years), he finally released his debut album Every Kingdom in 2011. His early fame can be attributed to word-of-mouth advertising, gaining traction through the most personal of mediums. So, from humble beginnings in rural Devon, spending considerable time out on the waves surfing (when not playing music), to being featured on David Letterman's Late Show. Officially released late last year, his latest EP The Burgh Island (named after a tidal island off the Devon coast) is, in my humble opinion, a bold and intriguing step up from his debut album which is still entrenched in my playlist. I've played that album to death but it seems to never tire, and now this... The Burgh Island EP, which only contains four songs: Esmerelda, Oats in the Water, To Be Alone and Burgh Island - all of which I listen to on repeat. His new sound is rich, dark and brooding, and personally, I can't get enough - The contrast in album/EP covers is a clear indication of the change in direction he's taken. There is of course the similar sound to all his tracks - the common thread - (it is his voice after all), but each one has a distinctive personality; some will make you sit still and listen, others will be slower in drawing you in, while others still will have you with your eyes shut in plain appreciation. He has a variety of instruments at his disposal which sometimes flirts with a few jazz notes in the way his songs sometimes don't quite resolve, but he's never afraid to push the envelope whilst keeping everything centered on the strings of his acoustic guitar. This may sound corny or preachy, but at twenty five - one of the things most impressive is the maturity in not only his voice (both vocally and artistically) but also in his lyrics. But enough writing, lets get to the listening (and looking), so you can soak in the melodies... (FYI - I updated these videos - The previous vimeo vid I posted of 'Oats in the water' was a fan-made video - still beautiful mind you - but these two were taken from Ben Howard's official Youtube channel) Here's a (I think anyway) fan made video of the mesmerizing song Esmerelda of the Burgh Island EP. Ben Howard quotes: "'Black Flies' is the best song I've ever written" "We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments" "Anyone’s debut record becomes their greatest hits really... "It comes down to the mental space you’re in; the songs just depend on how much you invest in them. If you really put your heart and soul into them and believe in what you’re singing or what you’re playing, then it comes across. That slightly loose edge when you’re not overly conscious of what you’re doing, but you’re really in tune with what you’re singing about." "Once you get onto a D28, you don’t really go back" - (referring to his Martin guitar) We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments "Ben brings a crisp freshness to the world of acoustic troubadours, he’ll make you feel like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard anything like it, but still having a rootsy lustre seemingly as old as the country side in which he wrote the songs Like on FACEBOOK Follow on TWITTER Link to BEN HOWARD's Official Website Ben Howard music channel on YOUTUBE Soul singer Laura Mvula Here's a cool song by a new artist, British singer Laura Mvula (nee Douglas). She released her debut album "Sing to the Moon" earlier this month. I decided to do a mini pseudo 'Artist Feature' spot today as I was really intrigued by both the song and the music video since they're both quite different from what (I believe) we've seen in the music industry recently. Give it a look & listen, just to experience something different, soulful and somewhat retro... For more from her check out the links below - with singles "She", "Like the Morning Dew" and the recently released "That's Alright". Laura was also a guest on the Graham Norton Show, so expect even greater things from her on the horizon as she carves out a niche in the ever more eclectic British music scene... Image from her official website. |
[Banner illustration by Joel Kanar]
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