EMRS wellness hike:

CREW FROM NSRI STATION 20, SHELLY BEACH, AND STATION 32, PORT EDWARD, JOIN EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESCUE SERVICES (EMRS) ON A WELLNESS HIKE:A total of seven crew members from Shely Beach and Port Edward joined staff from the UGU District Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) on a wellness hike through the Oribi Gorge on Saturday 13 October 2012.The hike itself can hardly be described as a walk in the park and is reasonably technical at times, but abundant wildlife with a variety of different bird species constantly singing and chirping made the effort worthwhile. The terrain with its diverse scenery is astounding. Those who took part were amazed that there is such a beautiful and amazing wilderness environment so close to where they lived and worked.Mr Robert McKenzie from EMRS Ugu who initiated idea of a wellness hike, had this to say: “While sitting on a rock in the shade next to the water fall, mesmerized by the sound of the gushing water and the awesome scenery around us, I suddenly realized that it was like we were totally isolated from the outside world in this little “Garden of Eden” surrounded by massive cliffs hundreds of meters high. It was like time no longer existed …..”Shelly Beach Coxswain, Jerry Jackson, commented that he could think of no better way to spend a Saturday.“Apart from the scenery and the good company, it was a wonderful way to interact and get to know other people working in the emergency services environment”, he said. The mid-afternoon braai after the hike was an added bonus.The crew who participated in the hike was Jerry Jackson, Bianca van Zyl, Justin Watson, Cathy Rolt and John Rolt from Station 20 and Ronnie Hughes and JC van Vuuren from Station 32