Stroke Survivor's Walk of 2400km ends

Six months ago I met George Scola.

He was about to start a 2437 km walk from Beit Bridge, in the far north of South Africa, to Cape Point, in the far south.

Why? To raise awareness of the Stroke Survivors Foundation.

Two years before this George was released from hospital in a wheelchair, after suffering a stroke. And with perseverance, support and a huge desire to help other stroke survivors, George not only started the Stroke Survivors foundation with Charlene Murray but also decided to show what is possible for survivors of strokes, and so started this walk.

I joined him and Ray Chaplin (Adventurer, campaigner and educator), his support vehicle driver, and we headed off and started our walk.

We went through diamond mining areas, where I checked out every tock possible go ensure I didn't miss any sparkling ones. I got to the border and saw Zimbabwe, illegal immigrants being arrested, monkeys, warthog, blesbok & possibly a leopard too!

It was hot out there, but the guys treated me well, keeping me hydrated and I enjoyed the aircon! My mate Cliff also joined us for a bit. After George’s first 100kms we had a great party in a place called Alldays, and I spent some time in the bush along the Limpopo River & Botswanan border

We got into the newspaper when George was interviewed by The Citizen!

And then my life changed! In September I met my soul mate - Gerda Antoinette Koekemoer - at a braai! I'm in love! :) Sy's Afrikaans... so ek moet a bietkjie oefen! Sy boer langs die Limpopo Rivier [that is, she speaks Afrikaans, which I’ve got much better at, and she was farming next to the Limpopo River].

Gerda joined us, and we chilled a bit at Kwa Maritane where had to hop lightly, as there were 14 [yes, 14!!!] elephants cruising by

We then caught up with the matchstick girl, Telana Simpson, in Johannesburg, as we attended FEAT and enjoyed hearing the adventure talks, especially Ray's!

At that event I was asked to go to Rocking the Gardens to support the World Wide Fund for Nature- which I did, and I wanted to see Telana dressed up as a Panda. It was so funny!

I got to catch up with the Ubuntu Girl, Sonja Kruse, and shortly after that though, we were "kidnapped" by the guys again, and joined them for another week, walking through more of the beautiful country side of South Africa.

Sonja and I then hitch-hiked back to Johannesburg to attend Africa's first SWARM party where we set a record for Africa!

Gerda and I then joined Telana on a trip to Cape Town to surprise George and walk with him and celebrate his reaching Cape Town. We walked on the N1 highway, through the harbour and Victoria Waterfront, and passed the Greenpoint Stadium!

We also got to attend Africa's first MP3 Experiment organised by improveverywhere while we were in Cape Town.

Today though is a day of celebration as George has finished his "Bring it on" Walk of 2400 km's! He has reached the Cape Point, and will be celebrating at a Banquet tonight!

The Stroke Survivors Foundation is playing a vital part in helping survivors with their recovery, adjusting to life and staying informed, motivated and positive. They are creating a national network that provides the much needed post-discharge rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers.

If you would like to support George, then get in touch!

Gerda and I salute you George! Well done on finishing your epic 6 month long walk of 2437 kms! Reebit! Reebit!

1400km in 15 days on a 70 year old bicycle

Can you imaging cycling 1400 kms in 15 days on a highway on a 70 year old style of bicycle which has no gears and the only way to break is to peddle backwards?

Ray Chaplin can. And not only did he imagine it, he and Cliff are doing this right now!

I went with Telana early this morning to meet Cliff and Ray in Newtown Johannesburg, and wish them well as they set off to cycle the 1400kms.

They're not just doing this for fun and adventure, although I do think they'll have a good dose of that. Ray and Cliff are cycling from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a replica of the 1930's bicycle called the Johnny Loco Corona, in order to raise awareness of cyclist safety on the roads. They want to showing that cars and busses and motorbikes and trucks and bicycles can all share the road (kind of like they already do in Mumbai, India, with the cows too, just more safely!). And they are paying tribute to those who have lost their lives doing what they love so much: putting time in the saddle and experiencing the open road on a bicycle.

Cliff's got the important job of being the mascot for this National Cyclist Safety & Memorial Ride, and he's also going to be helping Ray remain sane by keeping him company and cheering him on.

Telana and I cheered them on as they left, joined by some fellow cyclists, and escorted onto the highway by Ruari Plint and his team on motor bikes, led by Shaun from the Sign-Up Cyclists Safety Initiative.

Have a great trip guys, and keep raising that Cycling Safely awareness, one kilometre at a time!