burn out

Until a few weeks ago we were seriously planning on going to AfrikaBurn this year. We've not been before, but not for lack of wanting to.
I even tried to persuade Husband to go the year I was heavily pregnant with Friday, reckoning it would be the Last Time we would ever do anything as wild and free.

5 years later we've found ourselves up for a bit of wild and free again, albeit this time with two kidlets in tow. Our girls are great campers, and have proven many times to be quite happy and secure outside of the comfort zone of home.
We're well kitted-out too, with a 4x4 trailer with roof tent and bells and whistles etc, camping fridge, solar shower - all the pouncy trappings of the middle-class South African outdoor enthusiast.

AfrikaBurn is not for sissies. 5 days in the driest part of South Africa, the Tankwa Karoo, requiring total self-sufficiency: water, food, medical supplies etc. The 10 page Survival Guide warns of dust storms, earth too hard for the mere mortal tent peg, rules regarding taking away absolutely every little thing that you bring in with you (including organic matter), how to share the space with 4000+ other 'Burners', what to do if your camp catches fire (take your valuables and run), the dangers of dehydration.
Plus the expectation that all attendees contribute something to the fun and games.

We were keen!

But then March happened. Two family birthdays, two weekends away, a wedding, a funeral, school holidays and just a whole bunch of logistical and emotional stuff.

And ... while our enthusiasm for the event remained intact ... the mind was willing ... but the flesh started feeling weaker and weaker ...

Eventually we shook ourselves and got busy on the To Do list. And one by one stuff got complicated. Our seldom-used 50litre water tank exploded (literally), the 'simple' repair to the trailer's spare wheel carrier got technical. Our house-sitter fell through. And with each set-back our enthusiasm waned ...

So, we're not going this year. We're bummed about it, but still feel we've done the right thing. And seeing as we'd already planned the leave, we'll be off camping in the Cederberg for a week instead - somewhere with shade, running water, swimming water and much less dust.
It may not be as exciting or as stimulating as the Burn, but I think we'll be quite happy with some calm this time.

We will, however, be building a small sculpture to burn on our last evening. This was the part of the whole event which really captured Friday's imagination, and while she may forgive us for the change of venue - she's going to be mad if she doesn't get to blow some stuff up!