It has been a tough decision whether to to make this blog entry about a little bit more of the magic that surrounds us here in Bathurst - or about a girl I met in 1962. Bathurst won - the anecdotes about that particular chic are just going to have to wait awhile.
Cornelia Beer, (a little bit of a local Bathurst legend), recently started up a Whatsapp group called “Cleaning Bathurst”, and last week posted a very disturbing video of all the garbage that has been dumped in the bush on the eastern side of Pussyfoot Lane. As it happened, I, at almost the exact same time, and with no knowledge of Cornelia’s call to arms, posted a little something on the Bathurst Forum with a view to setting up a ‘watch’ group with a view to catching those who have been regularly dumping all kinds of plastic, bottles, cartons and a variety of other garbage along the Kowie road between Tekserve and Lara’s restaurant.
Some of the garbage along Kowie Road
This is not litter …….. this is intentional dumping. Viktor from Tekserve immediately contacted me and we agreed to meet later in the week to figure out how to tackle this problem. I was unfortunately tied up to an extent where I simply could not find may way clear to make arrangements with Viktor…………. sorry Boet - but I will during this coming week.
Theuns enthusing about our craziness to tackle this rubbish
Just about everyone - with drinks courtesy of Shangri-La
Blah, blah, blah ………… things began to happen and on the morning of Saturday the 23rd a group of about 10 adults and four children gathered to tackle the Kowie road mess, and within about two hours and 60 black bags later everything was spick and span and an interesting bond between the participants had formed....... one might call it 'friendship'. Henceforth to be know as the “Bottoms’ Up” group due to the amount of time spent bending over, we are hoping against hope that we can quickly grow the group to at least 30 or so volunteers in the very near future to help with the Pussyfoot Lane project which it is estimated is going to give up in the region of 350 bags of garbage.
One very hard working young volunteer from up the road
Also, Stephen Forder has made contact with the owner of the ground in question with a view to strongly encouraging him to fence the property which lends itself beautifully to the scattering of litter and rubbish (as well as a seemingly perfect spot to hit the papsak), by all those foot soldiers who use Pussyfoot Lane as a daily thoroughfare between the Township (reference to and spelling of which is stubbornly absent from any search on the internet), and Shangri-La ……….. as also Kowie Road and access to Port Alfred.
Soooooooooo ……… all you ‘proud’ Bathurstians that promise, promise, promise - but don’t seem to pitch, please contact Cornelia on 0762180328 and make yourself available for the “Big One”.
ON A FAR MORE PLEASANT NOTE
On a far more pleasant note, we have just three kilometers from Bathurst to the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve, where, from the viewpoint just a hundred or so meters in from the entrance, one looks down over 'Horseshoe Bend’. This stunning view over the bend in the Kowie river which flows through the reserve and on to the Indian Ocean, where it has its river mouth at Port Alfred, is really very special and well worth a visit. The reserve also offers a few interesting hikes of varying difficulty, and has a number of very beautiful picnic/braai spots which are perfect for a family or group outing.
Horseshoe Bend
Following the river downstream
But perhaps more importantly, and what the majority of people who drive or walk down to the entrance to the reserve seem to miss, are the myriad of little gems along the way that truly make this a “country” experience. In this case it really isn’t about the destination, but rather the journey ………… take the time to smell the roses. Herewith a few pics of those of those gems: ENJOY!
Some of the gems you need to watch out for on your way to Waters Meeting
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