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Ah yes, where were we.

Waking up on our final morning.

Sometimes morning is beautiful, but too painful. I knew that something had happened, something profound that I could not explain. My birthday gift to my children had become a touch stone for me.



Our final walk was from the camp and along the dry Sandriver bed. We were surrounded by a history that seemed timelss. Gaint trees rose up, silently watching.

One day, I would be no more, yet they would still breathe the soul of Africa.



I had touched a reality both freeing and frightening.



How fragile we are, how very fragile on this uncertain road.



The chariot came to collect us.



It was time. Time for our final meal and our last goodbye.

Our final breakfast together was both sombe and cheerful.

I looked at my daughters and hoped that they had gained from the experience. They would be returning to their final school year and the end of a chaper of their lives. They would be making choices that would determine their own road. I hoped that it would be a road less travelled.

Noname, both scientist and poet. Eager to explore, pulling and straining to determine her own future.



Explorer, always able to see things from a different angle. Someone capable, even at this young age, of taking a unique perpective on life.



This is our final group picture.



Sakie and Vanessa are on the extreme left. MM is in the middle, jeans, running t-shirt and hat. Noname and Explorer to the right. Bruce is standing at the back with his ranger's cap.

We left to return to Skukuza. I was tired, very tired.





I looked at my daughter's last two pictures. A road of uncertainty, but filled with life. There is such a simple wonder in this picture. If I could wish my daughter's anything, it would be not to loose that wonder.

It took me a long time to like the Phabeni road. I now realise thaat this was the first time I drove back with that "dead", "rock in my heart" feeling.



I have now learnt to accept it as another road and just live the moment.

The twins have cetainly taken up my love for running, but also my love for nature. They have taken on the reality that life is never easy, but if you consider problems to be challenges, it becomes a journey worth taking.

A recent picture of my family. My daughters had just completed the Two Oceans half marathon. Noname is on the extreme right and Explorer has her back slightly to the camera. They are helping their younger sister.