I was terrified when Michael decided to build a raft to cross flooded rivers on.
I was a very poor swimmer and did not like getting cold and wet. I could only swim very small distances. But Michael thought it would be good for the children to learn how to cross flooded rivers on a homemade raft.
I think the raft was made of metal barrels, joined together with wooden planks, about 8 or 10 of them.
The Sibilo River was the the only one wide enough to have a raft to cross it on. The only time the river was full enough to cross it on a raft, was during the rainy season in July, August and September.
I think we probably tried it out in the little rains in February and March.
Even now as I write about it, I can feel the fear I had, all those years ago.
The relief when an all-weather road
was built with a proper bridge over the Sibilo, I can feel it over 50 years later.
I am sure that experience has made me hate swimming in cold and rough weather and even in a swimming pool. Now, thanks to the fact that I am 90 years old, I don’t think I shall have to swim in freezing cold water. Thank goodness.