Anyone who was even half-conscious in the early sixties, and not living in a cave, has at least heard of, if not seen, the “Carry-on …..” series of movies. There was Carry on Doctor, Carry on Nurse and so on, a farcical collection, culminating in “Carry on up the Khyber” which would have been high farce if it weren’t so close to the reality.
All this came to mind while I was planning last Saturday’s meet, Carry on up the Kaaimans, which bore a certain similarity of name. That is where all similarities end however. The Khyber is a famous pass, while the other is a small river. One ends up in Afghanistan while the other ends in a nice rock pool. At least you don’t need a sub-machine-gun toting army-type bloke in your mini-bus when going up the Kaaimans. Of course, this being the good old R of SA, it could soon become a requirement.
Anyway, a group of 18 latter-day explorers gathered at NMU Saasveld campus, and, unhindered by any British military cock-ups or Afghan militias, set out to ascend the Upper Kaaimans river. The route starts as per the Groeneweide, but at the river we left the path and headed upriver. There is no path but it is easy going, criss-crossing the river and splashing through shallow pools.
I am pleased to report that a tea-stop was held halfway up, to the surprise of the younger set who have no idea of the fortifying effect of a nice cup of tea. We then carried on to the weir, which is responsible for the fabulous pool beyond. One can swim about 80 metres through a very narrow gorge and then scramble another 100 metres to a huge chock-stone which impedes all further progress. We only did the swim this time. Some folk only did a short swim and some not at all. The water is cold and clean and refreshing.
Most of the folk thought that once the swim was done, the meet was over, and they all disappeared to the cars. It was an uphill haul and very hot out of the river and a bit of a boring walk along a gravel road to the carpark, but overall a great expedition.
Clive Louw, Ed Kay-Shuttleworth, Caron Watson, Reneira van Woerkom, Cheryl Devine, Jeremy and Alex Lister-James, Sandy Louw, Pauline Franklin, Marcel de Villiers, Andre du Plessis, Jude Coburn, Etienne de Villiers, Fred van Berkel, Johan Huisamen, Anne-Mari Maritz, Estelle Marais.
Greg Devine behind the camera.
Tony Bowen joined after the group photo.
Footnote: Unlike General Elphinstone who, in 1836, lost an entire British army, bar two men, we didn’t lose anyone at all.
Meet Leaders: Greg and Cheryl Devine