Dr Derman and Dr Pollock

Dr Derman the dermatologist goes to have a knee op (courtesy of Dave Pollock). Debbie Derman, Dr Derman the dermatologist's daughter, goes along to watch!

Carols by Candlelight at... you guessed it... KIRSTENBOSCH!!

Song Auction at Kirstenbosch (again!)

Some EYB Christmas elves were spotted at the Silver Tree restaurant on Tuesday night to help raise money for the animal shelter in Khayelitsha. Cape Town's top bands, including Watershed, Bed on Bricks, Louise Carver, Flat Stanley, Rory Elliot, J etc... were there to provide us with the evening's entertainment (songs) which were auctioned off a song menu.


We didn't manage to actually "win" a song, but we were determined to contribute so we asked our friend Warren (the auctioneer) nicely, and he agreed to let us donate R2000 for an encore, given by Rory Elliot and Ben (??). What a superb evening! Let's do it again!!!

Watershed @ Kirstenbosch

Water weekend in Clanwilliam

Team Fun Bus at Newbie Bowls (and how newbie we were!!)

Conquering Arangieskop - 1700m+

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(Camel-man) Dr Al's Diary entry for Monday:

I woke up bewildered and confused this morning…. Not only did I not smell like wood smoke or have inhalation issues, but, no matter where I looked I could not find my tiara!

Last night was scary to say the least…. Striking up sudden bursts of “I’m bringing stockies back” only led to people at the Friendly Grocer giving me a wide birth. It probably also had to do with the “EYB 4 LIFE” tattoo I still had on my right bicep (it is ok to wonder into a corner store in just a pair of boardies and your hiking socks isn’t it?)

What a cruel cruel world we had to return to… at least I had minger to remind me of the wide open spaces and some river water still in the platypus to give me hope. Yes, I am having difficulties readjusting after only 2 nights away. I nearly burnt the office down trying to fire up the coals for coffee…. That’s no even mentioning the cold shower I was forced to have this morning as the stupid architects at my house have not installed a ‘donkey’.

What mountain?

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Erikikikikik's Diary entry for Monday:

Dear Diary,

I woke up bewildered and confused this morning…. I sat up in bed this morning to breathe in mountain air and have my dose of morning VAVT, I hobbled out of bed looking for 2 prancing swan lake fairies making ‘le skinny lattes’ on le braai. I opened the cupboard longing for warm milk and muesli in a Ziploc bag then headed for an ankle deep best hot shower ever. I wandered through to the lounge looking for smelly shorts, burnt socks and smoky shoes and reached for my tiara, I was ready to climb the summit. The sun baked my face, the wind whistled in my ears, I had a visual of the beacon.

Sorry you breaking up……………

Nick Marais told me to get out of bed and start the week. I switched the kettle on poured Special K in a bowl, ran a bubble bath, donned my suit and heels, found a hairclip and headed out to climb the summit of Monday. The saving grace is that I remembered to wear trousers as the EYB star is still branded on my left calf, which is normal, of course.

The Everest of the Cape has been conquered. Arankikikikikies will never be the same again…

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Dallas's diary entry for Monday:

Dear Diary

I woke up bewildered and confused this morning… with a soaked dishcloth wrapped around my right big toe from the home-made ice pack recommended by my resident biokineticist to reduce high-altitude-descent-induced chronic toe fatigue (HADICTF). It took hours of determination to overcome the reverse vertigo syndrome that has silently embedded itself into my bones since yesterday. I eventually managed to put my feet on my 3rd floor flat floor (1690m too low) but faced a whole new battle when I was faced with 2 flights of steps going even LOWER! The wide open spaces high above the kitchen definitely boosted my determination, but I fear it was only temporary. I think I’ll only ever find happiness again above 1600m, and ultimate happiness standing on the beacon, NO HANDS!

I did however find comfort and solace in my furry grey friends that happen to mate for life, like the African Black Oystercatcher. The Stokies. And I am happy to announce that both the warm muesli with banana and DFF fuel (dried fruit fart), and the Dros burger and pizza, are no longer queuing in my oesophagus, and there is now space for more Lamb Chops in Muskadel and Thyme (or in my case, steak!).

After walking to work with my backpack, and wearing Dallas Top and stokies, I was horrified to be confronted with cold, pasteurised milk and kettle-boiled water! And so much electricity! Bring back the solar panels and car battery! I considered chopping up the table tennis table for firewood but was met with death stares from my competitive colleagues. So I chose the pool table instead. The smell of burning felt brought tears to my eyes as it reminded me of the near death emergency rescue moment of Minger from out of the fire.

Oh dear, the memories have opened up my heart and it’s spilling all down my Dallas top. What sad prawn?

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Beefy's Diary entry for Monday:

Dear Diary

I woke up bewildered and confused this morning...

While confidently launching myself out of bed geared for rocky battle, I found myself collapsing into a heap on my bedroom floor... my quads and calves giving way as if ravaged by lightning from above. While regaining my composure, I felt a sense of comfort knowing that my darling Le Sherrieeeaaaat would be there to comfort the fall, but alas... a pile of dirty dusty robes rested at eye level, approximately 20m above sea level. As despair descended apon me, me eyes slowly climed up...and up... and up, and at the summit, I was horrified at what I saw!!!

My Gaaaaaaaaaad... it was Paamela!!! Nooooooooooooooo, she had followed me home and indeed confirmed the reality of a monday morning!!! She was resting peacfully, so I carefully rose to my feet and stumbled through to the bathroom... only to be greeted by the ridiculous sight of fresh towels, a dry floor, and a weird abnormal smell of fresh roses!!! Hmmmm...intersting how we miss the simple pleasures in life!!

As I sit here and flick through the hunderds of memories from the weekend, and feel increasingly concerned at the inablility to embrace the reality of city life, I remind myself of the Arangies Epic that saw 8 entrepid athletes conquer the elements!! Inspiration lies not in the 'grandiose' Dassieshoek hut, the amazing ascent, the spectacular Arangies Cabin, the mind-blowing Sunday decent. It lies neither in the splendour of the Arangieskop summit...

This inspiration comes from one thing and one thing only... The VIBE!!!!!!!!!

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Erikikikikik's 2nd diary entry for Monday:

Dear Diary,

I woke up bewildered and confused this morning…

As the summit of Monday becomes a glowing visual the 3pm brickwall sad prawn depression shark nips at my ankles and threatens to swallow me whole!! The skinny low calorie no dressing no carb salad had not given me the energy of porkers and foil wrapped zip locked soya linseed zaams!! As I sit gripped in my chair with knee pain and a BIBCLV (balancing ice block crossed leg vibe) while attempting to hide calf tattoos I drift into a daydream of AITM (athletes in the mist)…. As the mist clears the VAVT of laptop screen and excel spreadsheets appears before me…. get me out of here!!!! I sway violently and pierce myself with a ballpoint quill in attempt to take me back to the day 1 tea spot, but no I am still here. I dig deep and hobble to the kitchen with renditions of “we’re bringing stokies back” lapping in the air conditioned breeze…. Le tong – where are the coals????? I need a sad prawn latte!!!!

As I hike past my boss he questions the limp, I admit we summitted Arangieskop and am met with a look of city dweller bewilderment – do they not know about Everest?!?! I launch gleefully into hyperboles of mountain mania! For a moment I can feel the VIBEEEE!!!!! I nearly ask him for a foot massage but just as I am about to moon the office for the second time, the smell of printer cartridge and office BO reminds me of the life I now lead….. I tilt my head for my afternoon sun nap and stare lovingly into the fluorescent light. I close my eyes and smile…. Only 8 ridiculous intrepid athletes can really answer…………

What Mountain??

What VAVT??

What VIBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

EPIC!!!!!!!!

EYBEEEE EYBEEEE EYBEEEEE


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Amberooooskie's diary entry for Monday:

Dear Diary,
(like get on the bus blondie,ey)
Sunday nite,standing at my front door; I had reached a new evereast 2 conquer...
MY FRIGGIN HIKING CRAP!!! (Where do i park?)
As I withdrew my half eaten `Lite O`s` and Braai scented clothes,
reality bit me like a God damn deranged white cat! ,
I was home,
and could not wee where i pleased (what waterfall squat and dip?..."when i dip u dip we dip")
Standing in the bathroom reminding myself there was no need to use midget sized toiletries +hand towl,I saw the reflection of a true athlete;
sweated out cockateal fro;HOT backpack tan(Yes Abs,loads of cream,What sun?);dirt smeared face(um did ne1 blow their nose?);dirt encrusted nails and pudgy swollen granny feet.
Yup.I earned my breakfast,beer(bells),braai,burn and bum shots...no wo i mean!
I was tempted 2 camp on my floor in my sleeping bag,hip flask in tow and pretend.
The morning wakeup call was painfull,and im not just talkin bout my legs which said F.U and gave way on route 2 my fresh smelling loo.More like no hangover or back ache.No Le bif and Le Tong 2 offer me tea.No powderd ziplock muslei.No lock jaw.
I was broken.
Was it real? Did i really climb that and live to show and tell?(cat munch) and i was sadly happy.
On a more serious vibe,i could not have asked for a better bunch of special,loving, like minded individuals.Every moment could not have been captured by a camera (VAVT)and jeez there were some beauties...
Riche showing us other methods of getting down the mount with Dr Al in full swing ready to straddle him to safety.
Al scoffing his sand whilst he tells us bout the sociable protea "it like mingles with the fynbos ey"
Our French raging queens who shall be exchanging vows or chop vibe asap.
So many bum shots,so little time.
Friday nite pam marsh pit.Dude,whos leg is that??
50 uhum I mean 20 Q`s.
Migs secretly carrying pots pans,scottle etc and nearly falling over a no of times but never told...dont lie luv!
Sudden bus load of tourists rocking up and observing the rock apes! F. Off (Abs)
Braai clothes and Mascadal Thyme chops.
7/9 o`clock start.
So much VAVT eventually Migs and i had to intervene!
Heartbreak stories."I think love is fo eva" hoo ha ha
Tagging.
"Im bringing stokkies back,yeah, take it to the summit"
SP`s.
and i could go on and on.
U name it,it happened.
Oh,this morn my mom walks in and hands me a puppy the size of a peach!
Min Dachshund.6 weeks.official EYB mascot she says.She may although get lost in my car.so i am a mommy again.
Already looking for front pouch so i can carry her up a few mounts.Gotta start dem young.
So
Dallas,Riche,Ms Abi,Camel man/Dr Al,Eureka,Migs/Backpack man,Le Bif
Tanks for an epic adventure.
What hike? It only felt like fun

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Erikikikikikik's diary entry for Wednesday:

Dear Diary

It’s Wednesday and am still bewildered and confused… I wore a skirt to work today and was kindly asked why I had a faded star on my left calf!!! I find this concerning for a number of reasons… A: I have a star on my calf B: I don’t wash my calves in the shower and C: No-one understands it’s not a club it’s a lifestyle.

I had a disturbing Monday night having discovered that Pamela had attacked all my possessions and no matter where I turned long strands of blondeness followed me everywhere!!!! Help!!!

But things are looking up… I finally enjoyed my cereal out of a china bowl and the clover milk coffee went down a treat.

All that’s left is to move back to my bed after 3 nights on the terrace in my sleeping bag, beanie and clothes.