"Odyssey" sets off from Nieu-Bethesda

NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — Early last Monday morning, the streets of Nieu-Bethesda were lined with 65 Union High Grade 10 pupils who set off from here on their 5-day 'Odyssey' into the Wilderness.

Carrying heavy packs with all that they needed to survive during the journey, the children were in high spirits as they left from the Nieu-Bethesda Sports' Club. 'The Odyssey' was to take them on a 45km hike along the Gats River canyon towards Graaff-Reinet, where they ended their journey of self-discovery on Friday.An extra bonus was that the pear blossoms were in full flower - making a spectacular gateway to the start of the hike.

The group followed the dirt road towards Aasvoelkrans farm, owned by the Fourie family, where they would camp the first night in an ancient pomegranate forest under the red cliffs of the canyon. According to organisers, the 'Odyssey' could not have happened without the generosity of farmers such as the Fouries - as well as Julian Murray of Schoonberg, Dene Coetzee of Riverdene and Fanie Groenveld of Poortjie - all of whom allowed the group to hike or camp on their land.

During the course of the week, the students were taught the importance of preserving our planet for future generations, the vagaries of litter and pollution and appreciation of this pristine Karoo environment.

They treated the farms with utmost respect and left only footprints after packing up camp each morning.

The village of Nieu-Bethesda is proud to have been the starting point of such an important journey in the lives of these young people from Union High School.