On Thursday 27 July a team of AFL ladies set off on an amazing race to Dullstroom, very kindly organized by Debi Honke of Wildfire Promotions. Great fun and we all headed off to the Alzu complex on the N4 – coffee and a refreshment and a new clue were given to us.  Belfast did not know what had hit it – we had to shop for outfits to wear that evening so that we could indicate what type of fishing flies we were.

Once in Dullstroom we were met by our most amazing hosts Leigh & Graham Peachey of Dullstroom Country Cottages and Trish Kennedy of Zest Properties.  They had researched all the projects and were so incredibly prepared for the ladies.

Our first “love” stop of the trip was at the Belfast Rusoord where there are many elderly people, many who receive few if any visitors.  The team broke up and we painted and spruced up the area outside the able residents’ lounge, we donated pillows and pillow cases to all the frail care residents, we played bingo and served tea and cake (which was kindly donated by Ekuzeni Bakeries in Randfontein) to the residents who were able to join us for the afternoon.

A table of donations was left for the people, including paintings to decorate the common areas, clothes, blankets, food and many other necessary items.

Special thanks here must go to Peta Allen, Margie Hunt, Wesley of Ekuzeni, Anna Meimaris, Shorty Skipp, Helen Sharp, Natasja Hart and her dedicated and giving team at GCI  as well as … who donated a carload of adult diapers and Margie Hunt who made handmade fiddle cushions for the people with Alzheimer’s.

With happy hearts we headed off to our accommodation at the Dullstroom Country Cottages.  “Wow!” was all you heard when we arrived at the cottage and were greeted by the amazing views and a welcome complimentary bottle of bubbly from Dullstroom Country Cottages.  A few quick preparations and we were off back into Dullstroom dressed as fish flies.

Not girls to be left starving or without refreshments we headed for our first dinner of the trip at Art of Food where we were fed and “watered” by Christine and Dave.  Comments about the food ranged from “oh my word” to the “best meal I have ever had” and many purely satisfied sighs.  On arrival we knew that Christine and Dave were kindly going to give us a discount for our work in the Dullstroom community but at the end of the meal they asked if we would give the money that we would have spent to one of the Dullstroom projects and it was agreed we would match the R1800 donated and give R3600 to the Sterilization of Dogs day to follow in the area shortly.

Friday was our first day of adventure and Leigh hauled us over the hills of the farm through the magnificent pine forests and down to a waterfall where we were greeted by a picnic basket kindly placed by Graham and guess what – inside were glasses and some welcome bottles of bubbly.  After our “water” break we continued our walk to Walkersons where we were kindly welcomed by Kate Christie and served beautiful platters. Walkersons sponsored all the wine and gave us a discounted rate on the platters as a thank you for the work we were doing in Dullstroom.

Saturday was a long, hard day at the SAVF Belfast Orphanage.  Sadly it was not a well run orphanage and it was heartbreaking to see the 180 children in the home.  We played games with them, painted common rooms and did a photo booth for all of the children – photos have been delivered to the children for them to keep next to their beds.  They all enjoyed hot dogs and treats as well as naartjies from Zest Properties.  We have taken the matter up with the SAVF and will keep you posted of the developments.

With a wonderful donation from RMB we were able to give each of the children a new school bag and generous donations of food, stationery and clothing were left with the house mothers for the children.

Special thanks for donations here go to Dave & Helen McAllister, Multispeed, the Belfast Spar, Harry’s Hardware, Evermore  and Mica Hardware Belfast.

Emotionally and physically exhausted after the Saturday we were taken to the Highland Gate Estate where we did the most amazing walk to the waterfalls and the “end of the earth”.  Feeling really good we rewarded ourselves with a really good lunch and a few refreshments.

Back into town and a stop at Wild about Whiskey was necessary.  We did some great whiskey and gin tastings and paired it with truffles.  Great fun was had by all and once again a donation for our work was received from the owners.

Our last day of “love” was spent at two beautiful nursery schools in Sakhelwe. The one was an incredibly well run school where Julia took great pride in her well mannered and behaved children having a fun time.  Zest Properties arranged a jumping castle for the kiddies, they had bubbles, cupcakes and loads of fun.  Some of the team again worked really hard painting and making the school look good.  Again we were able to leave the school with books, clothes, stationery and many beautiful school items donated by Siobhan Brown of Westcliff Nursery School.  Thanks to one of our members who has recently moved to the USA – Janine Gomes – who provided sweeties for the kids and Allan and Debbie Little who donated a sandbox and sand.

Another nearby school brought their children for a treat and they thoroughly enjoyed their time with their neighbours.

As we were leaving each child was given a beanie that kindly knitted by Lola Currin and Colleen van Vuuren.  They were told by Julia if their beanie was found lying around it would be taken away – the beanies were fitting snugly when we left.

Lunch was another wonderful meal at the famous Mrs Simpsons restaurant who also gave us a large discount and asked that we donate the money back into the sanctuary for abused women and children   That evening the community attended a bingo evening at Mrs Simpsons and AFL was chosen as the charity for the evening.  From these donations we have been able to donate money to the Dullstroom Birds of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre as well as providing grocery hampers to the value of R2000 for the sanctuary for abused women and children.

Before leaving for home on the Monday morning we grouped together items we had not finished donating to projects and Leigh and Graham kindly offered to continue with some of our projects in the area including a vegetable garden kindly donated by Reel Gardening.

Reflecting on our visit to Dullstroom one can only be grateful for the community spirit in the area and special thanks to Leigh and Trish for putting together a fantastic few days where the girls in true AFL style were able to have a great Adventure while giving some Love.