PETER GIDDY.: ZIP LINING IN CERES DECEMBER 2011

ZIP LINING AT CERES

ZIP LINE

STEFAN PULLING DOWN

STEFAN HOLDS TIGHT

MICHAEL SETS OFF

MICHAEL LOOKS QUITE CONFIDENT AFTER ONE OR TWO ATTEMPTS AT ZIPLINING

MICHAEL HAS TIME TO CHECK OUT THE VIEW AS HE HURTLES DOWN.

BAFU AND CHRISTIAN

ALL RECEIVES LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS

ALLY HAD A BALL DOING THE ZIPPING

NERVOUS SMILE AS WE DRIVE TO THE START

CLOSE UP OF THE STEEL WIRE

We came to Ceres to visit Stefan's sister (Lynette)'s family. Nicci and Stefan make regular stops in Ceres on their way back from Wildcliff. Gush and Lynette have a Bakery Business in Ceres. They have made this mountain village their home. We arrived in Ceres on Friday 30th with three mountain bikes loaded on the back of the car. I had made a bit of a mess of tying them on when we left PE and one of them had slipped off and the saddle had become damaged. Unfortunately the only Bike Shop in Ceres has closed down.

AS YOU DRIVE OVER MITCHELLS PASS FROM THE WORSTER OR CAPE TOWN SIDE, YOU SEE THE ZIP LINING OFFICES ON THE LEFT.

ZIPPING OFFICES

As we came into Ceres through the Mitchells Pass we saw a Helicopter with a water sling below. There was a fire just above the offices of the Zip Lining. We phoned to enquire but they assured us that this would not affect our booking for the following day.

Friday evening we had a braai at Lynette's home. Lynette introduced me to a new way of Braaiing with Grids that stand on end next to the fire that is continually burning. This is an excellent idea as you are able to start your Braaiing at any time even when the fire is at its hottest. You need no Charcoal -- only firewood.

They have a pool where Annabelle, Emily, Zara, Mia, Christian and Kyle spent time this evening. It was a warm evening light until after 8pm. Kyle is an excellent skateboarder and J- Boarder. He gave us a demonstration of his skills around the pool.

Saturday 31st morning.
We were staying in a B&B in Porter road where we had a solid breakfast before meeting Stefan and Nicky at their house. We had thought there may be some other takers but in the end it was: Nicky and Stefan; Michael Z; Christian; Barbara, Ally and myself.

Ceres is a small town and within a few minutes we were at the Office of the Zip lining. We checked in and met the owner and his staff: Gabriel (Ex PE boy who spent some time in the defence force) and two guides -- Mandy and Bafu

LONGEST ZIPLINE IN AFRICA

We were kitted out in the harness and helmets. With a bottle of Ceres Water on the side. We chatted to Gabriel who explained that this is a new business only just over one year old. It is a seasonal business. They are part of the Tsitsikamma Adventures with the Merrell sign on the roof that we pass each time we drive towards Plett. Barbara, Stefan and Nicky did a Tree Tops Tour a number of years ago but now they also have a cliff side zip lining which passes Waterfalls.

ALLY AND CHRISTIAN AT THE REGISTRATION AREA

COMBI THAT TOOK US TO THE START

But this morning we are in Ceres to do the Longest Zip Line Tour in Africa. There was a Section at Sun City which is longer than this one but tragically Arrie Neven died in a Helicopter accident when he flew into the Zip line there.

PETZEL FITTINGS MAKE US FEEL QUITE SAFE

We are driven out to the start of the adventure. We pass the power sub station and drive up a short section of tar road on the mountain side. Here we are off loaded and the rollers are attached to our harnesses. We walk a short way up, with some complaints of already being out of breath. This is the only walking of the morning. From here on it is all Zipping down.

NICKY LAUNCHES HERSELF OFF

Mandy introduces herself and Bafu. She gives us a demonstration of how to sit, hold, brake, stop and what to do in the event of stopping too early. Bafu sets off first each time. He will stand at the end and tell us when to brake and will catch us to ensure that we are safely standing on the other side.

MICHAEL HAS TIME TO CHECK OUT THE VIEW AS HE HURTLES DOWN.

MANDY IS OUR GUIDE

MANDY AND BAFU GIVE US A LESSON IN ZIPPING

Christian is a little nervous so he goes off with Bafu and is first off on the lines. One by one we follow. The pecking order is basically; Barbara; Ally; Nicky; Stefan; Michael and I follow with Mandy bringing up the rear.

PETER AND MICHAEL VIEW A VIDEO OF THE ZIPPING

NICKY ON STAGE ONE

STEFAN SIMPLY ZIPPING

When it is my turn I have checked out what must be done and can see that there is a certain technique to stopping. The rest is simple; Sit down and enjoy the ride. There is no sense of falling. The Zip line kind of eases the participant off the rocks. As I whizz down the only thing I hear is the Whining noise of the rollers on the steel cable. It is a terrific sensation. Not at all scarey. I am able to look down and enjoy being up here.

BARBARA IS FIRST OFF

BARBARA GIVES INSTRUCTIONS

BARBARA GETS ALL TANGLED UP

I am a litte unsure as I come to the end of the first section. I sort of feel that I am about to go backwards. But Bafu is there first of all to tell us when to brake (pull down on the handles) and to catch us as we reach the end of the section.

There are 8 sections; Each section is unique with it's own characteristic; First; Longest; fastest; most dangerous; pools below; double finish and last. By the time we had done our fifth section, Christian was now ready to go on his own. He was enjoying the experience -- now a little nervouse but off he went. He reached the end and found that he had braked a little early. And without any prompting he remembered the instructions and quicky turned around and pulled himself to the end.

CHRISTIAN IS ABOUT TO GO SOLO

BARBARA WATCHES AS CHRISTIAN GOES OFF ON HIS OWN

Michael and Stefan had their phones on Movie Mode and took some videos of us all. Quite interesting to see the expressions on our faces. As we came down each section we were able to wave our legs around, go one handed to allow for camera action, look down to the rocks and pools below and simply to enjoy each experience.

ALLY ZIPPING ALONG WITH POOLS BELOW

ALLY SMILING

By the time we reached the end of the last section (there are eight sections to be zipped), we had zipped for 1400 meters. The longest section was 280 meters and the shortest 130 meters. I am not sure of the speed but I think I heard that we were travelling at around 30 to 40 kays an hour.

NICKY GOES ZOOMING DOWN

MICHAEL LOOKS A LITTLE STRAINED FOR THE FIRST TIME DOWN

Probably our biggst success was Christian who had been quite apprehensive to start off with but by the end had been able to handle himself. He is a quiet young chap who does not say too much yet he has an inner strength that is not always visible. I think that each of us had a small sense of triumph that we had done something on the last day of 2011 that was a little out of the ordinary, that we had never done before and that we had overcome any fears that we have had.

CHRISTIAN SAYS: "JUST WATCH ME THIS TIME"

CHRISTIAN IS ABOUT TO ZIP DOWN WITH BARBARA, NICKY AND ALLY WATCHING

We drove back to the offices full of chatter and excitement. Here we off loaded our equipment, took the obligatory group photo's and had a bit of an information chat with Gabriel. He tells us that the guides must check the cables and settings every day. There is a more detailed check done once a week and then every four months the cables are checked by engineers. Each pin is marked so that if there is any earth movement or loosening it will be picked up. The strands of cable have to be carefull carried into place by hand to avoid any possibility of damage to cabling or any chance of unravelling. It appears that the set up and safety checks are regulated and must be carefully adhered to as an accident could hurt the industry badly. We saw that when a flash flood killed 9 PE people doing black water rafting down the Storms River.

THE FINISHING TEAM OF 7; TWO YOUNGSTERS; TWO GRANDPARENTS FROM PE; HUSBAND AND WIFE FROM CAPE TOWN; ISRAELI FROM BINYAMINA

Barbara bought herself a Fleecy Top and Runners Cap as a souvenier. Chris bought a T shirt and cap as proof that he has done this activity.

BARBARA ON HER WAY DOWN

LOOKS LIKE BARBARA HAS A NERVOUS LAUGH

BARBARA LIFTS HER LEGS

ZIP LINE CONTACT NUMBER 079 245 0354

NICKY SHOWING OFF HER PETZL HARNESS

INFO@CERESADVENTURES.CO.ZA

CERES ZIP LINE ADVENTURES

The Previous day Michael and Stefan had climbed Table Mountain. Much to my disgust as I love to do stuff like this with them. They had started early so were in the shade for most of the climb. There was a cold wind blowing so when they reached the top there was no service at the office of the cable car. They had to climb down again. Stefan tells me that it was freezing up there. They had taken just enough to keep them going but this is a good reminder to always treat a trip like this with respect and take the correct amount of clothing, Water and eats.