On Monday a few of the instructors were back from leave and we started work again. After doing some general typing up around base we spent most of the day in the rox store doing the safety checks. The big abseil rope that I mentioned in one of my previous blogs is 140 meters long. Scott landed unlucky with having to check that one! On Monday all the staff also did a filmed interview for Outward Bound South Africa 's new YouTube channel!
Tuesday was HECTIC. We spent the whole day doing filming for YouTube (there was a professional camera guy). We started with Trapeze where me and Scott went up and jumped. Afterwards we pitched a watch tent and sat around inside of it for photos. In the afternoon Scott and I were filmed doing kayak rolls, doing general strokes with the paddles in the canoes and also a T rescue in them too. The water wasn't too cold thankfully! Both of us then did an interview type of thing where we explained what we were doing in the water with more detail. And before we finished for the day, me and Aphiwe went up the Jacobs ladder.
On Wednesday we finished up with the rox store safety checks and also completed the fire extinguisher, group dynamics, first aids and boat shed checks. Wednesday afternoon was spent trying to move one of the whalers inland more. After all our different attempts with several different pully systems we managed to maybe move it two meters? IT'S HEAVY.
I did the search and rescue bags checks on Thursday morning before helping Scott and Sicelo with the gutters and tanks. Us three then did the checks for Trapeze and Jacobs. After lunch we set up a campsite for the filming. A group of students from Kynsa who had been to OB were being interviewed about their experiences. Me and Scott joined Shirley when she dropped them off and on the way back we stopped at Spar - I bought cupcake cases for the cupcakes we were making. They turned out much MUCH better than the ones we made the other week... I think due to the self raising flour we now had. That night we had a braai which was really good and a nice send off.
I spent Friday packing my bags, saying goodbye to some people and also making a few more cupcakes from the left over mixture we had. We also had a closing circle (something that happens after every course) for me and Scott which was lovely. Us two also went for a final swim in the vlei which was cold but definitely worth it!!
We left OB yesterday lunch time and got dropped off at the airport in George. We flew up to Johannesburg and met the rest of the South African volunteers. We had a really nice dinner together. Just now I'm waiting in departures for my flight to London - we fly at 7.20pm.
It's crazy how fast this year has gone. I've made so many new friendships that I hope last a lifetime, experienced new cultures, learned a LOT about working in outdoor education environments but also learned a lot about myself in the process.
I'm so so greatful for this experience that has truly been life changing and I'd like finish by saying thank you to anyone who took time to help me with this incredible journey. See you all in Scotland! And thank you to my OB family - you're all incredible people!!
Enjoy the photos,
Rachel :)
Took some photos down at the vlei
Really going to miss swimming here
Successful cupcakes
We ate them all
Our OB certificates!!
Going to miss these guys!!
And all the other instructors!!!!
