Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

This is one of the river beds I would have had to cross, if I had taken the direct route from Ruacana to Epupa. I walked the sand, alone on a heavily laden Matilda, I think I made the right choice going via Opuwo.

 

[DASKOP]

I headed back and stopped at a local village.

I just wanted to take some photos of the surrounding area. I was approached by a shy young man, and I noticed that he had a clubfoot.

It just hit me.

None of these friendly local people, will most probably ever read this RR, there are no means for them to do that, they live a hard life. They scrape together an existence, they have no alternative. Yes, I am going through a tough time, and yes, there are times when I feel so down and sorry for myself, that I want to just die.

But, I have the means to do what I was doing at that exact moment, I had the ability to ride Matilda through Africa to try and make sense of what happened, find some peace and healing and create something to make a difference. You, who are reading this RR, have those same possibilities to make a difference, and whether you like it or not, they do not have that luxury, they are where they are, but we have endless opportunities, if we will only take the focus off of ourselves, and rather focus on how we can serve.

Remembrance is a word which comes to mind.

Most of us are chasing earthly things, they are what we leave to our beneficiaries. But, that is a limited portrayal of our true worth, because only a few benefit.

Legacy, that is a totally different thing. That has the possibility of affecting and influencing many, many lives.

That choice is for each individual to make.

I asked the young man if he wanted to sit on the bike and he was soon joined by the others around. I showed them the photos and there was so much joy and laughter.

I made some kids smile, have you done that today?

 

[RobD]

I headed back and stopped at a local village.

I just wanted to take some photos of the surrounding area. I was approached by a shy young man, and I noticed that he had a clubfoot.

It just hit me.

None of these friendly local people, will most probably ever read this RR, there are no means for them to do that, they live a hard life. They scrape together an existence, they have no alternative. Yes, I am going through a tough time, and yes, there are times when I feel so down and sorry for myself, that I want to just die.

But, I have the means to do what I was doing at that exact moment, I had the ability to ride Matilda through Africa to try and make sense of what happened, find some peace and healing and create something to make a difference. You, who are reading this RR, have those same possibilities to make a difference, and whether you like it or not, they do not have that luxury, they are where they are, but we have endless opportunities, if we will only take the focus off of ourselves, and rather focus on how we can serve.

Remembrance is a word which comes to mind.

Most of us are chasing earthly things, they are what we leave to our beneficiaries. But, that is a limited portrayal of our true worth, because only a few benefit.

Legacy, that is a totally different thing. That has the possibility of affecting and influencing many, many lives.

That choice is for each individual to make.

I asked the young man if he wanted to sit on the bike and he was soon joined by the others around. I showed them the photos and there was so much joy and laughter.

I made some kids smile, have you done that today?

Yeah, well said. All is relative

 

[DASKOP]

This is not going to be easy.

I am fully aware of the fact that my RR is not the usual run of the mill type.

My last post brought some perspective to me, which was not really there before.

For interest sake, I just checked the member list of WD. There are 51 pages, there is no indication, well, not what I could find, of how many actual members, but many members have 0 posts.

As a Civil Engineer, I think in a certain manner, just cannot help it. My current RR, 801 posts, 11 400 + views, my previous RR, 794 posts, 86 000 views. Now, please do not get the wrong idea, I am not looking for any type of recognition, I need exposure for my cause, maybe my belief in WD as a platform was totally unfounded, so I am going to pause it for a while.

I have received notification from CIPC that the NPC, called The Brandon Bosch Foundation has been registered, we are now dealing with the bank and SARS to get everything in place. The website is being done by a very good friend of mine.

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to be part of this RR to date, but I need more, I am serious about my path forward and I have to do it in a manner where I feel like I am actually achieving something.

You are most welcome to share your opinions about this, my number is 084 975 1384.

I mean no offense, but time is precious and at 62, I have to make the most of what I have left. Remember, Matilda is getting heavier as I get older.

 

[DASKOP]

Some last photos, just to make you think.

 

[TVB]

, if we will only take the focus off of ourselves, and rather focus on how we can serve.

Remembrance is a word which comes to mind.

Respect sir, thank you  :thumleft:

 

[ETS]

Everything of the best

 

[DASKOP]

This is not going to be easy.

I am fully aware of the fact that my RR is not the usual run of the mill type.

My last post brought some perspective to me, which was not really there before.

For interest sake, I just checked the member list of WD. There are 51 pages, there is no indication, well, not what I could find, of how many actual members, but many members have 0 posts.

As a Civil Engineer, I think in a certain manner, just cannot help it. My current RR, 801 posts, 11 400 + views, my previous RR, 794 posts, 86 000 views. Now, please do not get the wrong idea, I am not looking for any type of recognition, I need exposure for my cause, maybe my belief in WD as a platform was totally unfounded, so I am going to pause it for a while.

I have received notification from CIPC that the NPC, called The Brandon Bosch Foundation has been registered, we are now dealing with the bank and SARS to get everything in place. The website is being done by a very good friend of mine.

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to be part of this RR to date, but I need more, I am serious about my path forward and I have to do it in a manner where I feel like I am actually achieving something.

You are most welcome to share your opinions about this, my number is 084 975 1384.

I mean no offense, but time is precious and at 62, I have to make the most of what I have left. Remember, Matilda is getting heavier as I get older.

Emotions, under difficult circumstances, can, at times, bring on a sense of despondency, doubt and questions that should remain unasked, and this can lead to rather abrupt, brash decisions, which are implemented without being thought through.

This is what I experienced.

Someone quoted me in one of the recent posts, and I must apply my own words to my own life, so the RR will continue, because if I am going to in any way achieve my objectives regarding Brandon's legacy, I have finish whatever I start.

I am just taking a bit of time out, re-living much of this experience is taxing, but as Arnie said "I'll be back".

Thank you for the messages of support I have received.

 

[DASKOP]

I stopped at another village which had more of the traditional huts.

The gravel road does not run right next to the river, I took a little side road to get to a place to take a photo of the river, then promptly got stuck in the sand as I was trying turn Matilda around. Rookie mistake, but after some digging, back and forth, I got her out. And it was hot, I was sweating like a Bush Pig.

 

[DASKOP]

It was very hot and I found some shade to take a break and cool down, before heading back to the campsite.

 

[DASKOP]

On my way back, I noticed a Baobab tree on a hill and there was a turn-off in that direction, so I took it.

There was a gravel road leading further up to the top of the hill, which I took and was rewarded with an amazing view.

 

[DASKOP]

The red gravel road leading off to the right down the hill looked very sketchy, a lot of loose stone, so I walked it for a way and took some photos. I decided not to chance it, I had no idea where it led to and whether it would get worse further on and whether I would have to take it on to get out again.

There was a better road off to the left of Matilda and I took that back to the campsite.

 

[DASKOP]

Back at Omarunga, I did some laundry and then I wanted to put together some general idea of where I was going to travel from there, but Andrew, the manager, his cat had other ideas.

 

[DASKOP]

As late afternoon approached, I took a trek up the hill to see the Epupa Falls from a higher vantage point. I took many photos, I am not going to select, I am going to post them all, so this is going to take some time.

 

[DASKOP]

More.

 

[DASKOP]

A herdsman's hut and kraal in the distance on the Angolan side.

 

[DASKOP]

As the sun started setting the whole mood of the landscape was changing.

 

[DASKOP]

The tourist look out decks up on a rocky hill.

 

[DASKOP]

I can only imagine how spectacular this place must be when the river is in flood.

 

[DASKOP]

It was more than a scenic experience for me, witnessing the glory of God's creation.

It was a time of reflection, self-analysis, an opportunity to dig deep and try to find a positivity that will neutralise, or at least dim the negative cloud which had settled on me, so that I would have the strength and determination push on, regardless. It was a time when I imagined my dearest beloved son sitting next to me with his arm around me, like he had done so many countless times before, saying "I love you Dad".

So, the following photos are special to me.

Sometimes, out of the barrenness of our circumstances, we have to create life and living streams of water.