Gifts from a Birthday Block (10 October 2026)

Gifts from a Birthday Block 

Written by Nancy Richards 

There’s nowhere to hide in a Blockhouse photoshoot – especially when everyone in the line-up is singing happy birthday to yoooo! Which was a gift for meeee. But there were so many gifts on this first-of-the-month Blocktober Sunday Solidarity Walk, I’d like to share some. 

The first was arriving at the Chelmsford starting point to witness the Saartjie Bus and so many smiling faces, strong legs – pairs of two and four - and above all, support and care.

Further along, the next gift was stopping to admire the magnificent views that take away what breath you have left after the increasingly steep incline. And then there were the shady spot stops, ahhh - especially the one at that big ole’ tree just before the final ascent, as well as the even bigger one that falls at the back of the Blockhouse itself. Magic!

Of course, a special gift, as the owner of one of the four-legged pack, was to see how much the dogs were enjoying themselves – in muddy puddles, sharing shady spots, other people snacks and pats. An extra special gift for me was the young man who thoughtfully sprinkled my very hot dog with water from his own bottle, cupping some in his hand so she could drink it. And a must-mention on the four-legger front is the gift of gratitude to the friend who sat in yet another shady spot waiting with my dog, who I had temporarily mislaid. 

It was a gift indeed to see the lit-up faces of those tucking into snack packs and sharing coffee and naartjies, as well as the faces of Bernadine and Jean as they too lit-up encountering one another at the Block. While there is sometimes in life, a time to walk alone, nothing compares with walking and talking with someone else - each and every conversation is a gift, like reading a new chapter from an unknown book.

I was especially touched by the gift of the extremely smart and stylish Saartjie B Centre buff which will elevate my wardrobe no end (thank you Bernadine!), photographed amongst the spring flowers punctuating the path – and I think all of us, irrespective of age, energy and fitness levels, would agree that the closing downward slope is a matchless gift, especially knowing that you’ll soon be able to sit down and take your shoes off. 

I am in awe of all those who walked together on this day, especially those for whom it was a first – and to all those who cycled, walked or swam in solidarity, wherever you may be, what gifts you are. And to those who organized it all – respect!!

Read more about Blocktober here blocktober.co.za

Read more blog posts https://stepsforsaartjie.blogspot.com/2025/10/read-other-steps-for-saartjie-blogs.html?m=1

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