Covid 19…You suck…end of story.

Well, we all wish it was that simple!
As we all have learned the last few months, nothing can be taken for granted. As the many things we thought we knew about society and the way it functions was turned upside down, we had to face and adjust to many new obstacles, knowing that what we were doing and the sacrifices we needed to make, was essential for the safety and benefit of our community at large.

As we went into lock down, we faced isolation and boredom, (2 of the toughest enemies of folks in recovery and addicts searching for a new and better way of life), suddenly standing right in front of us with a big welcome back sign!

Well, not so fast, did we allow it to overcome us? Not a freaking chance! For some it was tough, one of the most challenging times in all of their recovery journeys, but for the vast majority of us, it was a victory over adversity, a challenge we overcame and many a valuable and positive experiences were had. Plus, many of us have had previous experience when it comes to being under “lockdown”...  21 to 28 days, some up to a year or 2, and yes we called it rehab, and if we could get through that, we could overcome this!

Rediscovering old hobbies, discovering new ones. Turning our living rooms into home gyms to keep the endorphins flowing. Opening old cook books and learning to bake, honing our culinary skills to impress when we are finally allowed to host that dinner party again. Building forts for the kids. Reconnecting with long lost friends. Having free time for self-reflection and meditation. Learning some Yoga. Finally getting to read that book that’s been sitting on the bed-stand for so long! Video calls with family, connecting with loved ones. Working on a new project, picking up a new skill.

Not to say that it was all just hip-hip hooray…. but with the tools of recovery at our disposal, we had the resources to come out of this stronger than going in! Technology saved the day for many of us. The ability to connect over Zoom or WhatsApp was invaluable and really showed many the importance of connecting. That being said, many did not have that ability. Which brings me to a word we often bring up at the end of our camping trips…. Gratitude.

How grateful to have had a roof, a plate of food and a warm bed the last few months. Millions were not so lucky. Times are tough, then and now. Once again to see how we have all tried to help has been amazing. Seeing the recovery community getting involved with soup kitchens, raising money through various endeavors to help different charities, offering to deliver food and drive others free of charge, and much more, has been inspiring and heart warming to say the least. Well done to everyone who has and still is giving back.

Hopefully very soon, we will be able to get the Beans Bus back on the road and onto new adventures. As much as we desire that, we also need to keep everyone’s safety a top priority. Spring 2020 will soon be upon us, and with that many new opportunities to get out and give Mother Nature that big hug and kiss she so deserves! 

Below some pics from a couple of trips we managed to squeeze in just before we went into hibernation....and 1 or 2 during :) 

So the Spring of 2019 has come and gone, some great trips, many powerful journeys taken, valuable lessons learned and to 2020 we venture forth!

Our camping trips went very well and a big thanks to Suikerbossie, Rivierplaas, Petervale, Badensfontein and Beaverlac for hosting us. Each one of the above campsites really do offer us so much and each one is unique and special. Some great weekends away were held at each of the above.

Beans Bus also started doing something new this year, Dads weekends, what a blast. Ps Moms weekends coming soon! Disconnecting from all electronics, breathing the fresh air and having fun and overcoming some challenges! Disconnect to reconnect! Did couple of trips down the Breede and a big thanks to JB Van Heerden from Rivierplaas for helping us navigate our way down the river and for sharing his local knowledge. 

We also managed to raise R24 000 for our Christmas Charity event. We were able to spread the cheer and visit 3 venues this year, Marsh Memorial, Noah House and Tears Animal rescue. A special shout out to Harmony and The Livinghouse for their amazing R10 000 donation, a new record! Also to Baker House and Liberty Home for there donations, and to all the private individuals who contributed, could not have made the day so special without everyone's help, thank you to all!  

Also had couple of great hikes and some Team building events, and of course our Bowling league still rolling and we had our first official medal ceremony! Well done Shannon on taking Gold.
 
So the season did see some people fall back to there old ways, and it  never gets easier to watch as a friend and loved one chooses addiction over recovery. Sometimes its difficult to show restraint and stop oneself from wanting to wring there necks and shake the old out of them!

Unfortunately though it doesn’t work that way, and each person has there own unique journey. Some roads have directions, and if followed will lead to success, yet some choose not to follow the basic directions that comes from others experience and hard won battles.

Its not impossible though, and that is where the beauty lies. Watching guys and girls overcome addiction is probably one of the most inspiring sights in the world, and Beans Bus is proud to be part of some amazing success stories so far. Warriors and fighters, living, laughing and loving recovery, keep it up! 

Let the summer of smiles begin!

A Season of Olds and News, Bid Adieu and Baby Shoes!

​Well the wet cold Cape Town winter almost over, and it couldn’t come quicker. Needless to say, Beans Bus is not the biggest fan of the cold and rain, but it sure didn’t stop us from keeping warm, having fun and getting out and about.

Unfortunately in the last few months we have had to say goodbye to a couple of Beans Bus VIPs that have moved on to new phases, stages and locations in their respective recovery journeys. As always, we follow them on social media and its good to see most are doing well! Not all…but most…Keep it up guys and girls!

A special shout out to our home-grown hero Storm who at this moment away for couple months sailing the seven seas and learning all the skills needed to take on the oceans…...Hmmmmm… Beans Boat sounds like a great future development! 

The last few months also saw the Bean family adding a new member to the team, welcome to the world little Zachary Jaden Biggs. You are a blessing and you are the greatest gift in the world! What a gift of recovery you are. Mom and Dad love you and you are already our hero! Looking forward to the day we can take you on a trip.

So, we hosted a couple of first-time events for us and also a couple of old favourites. The Go Kart day was loads of fun and was not for faint of hearted, high adrenaline and strong competition as Zahid took the win and the trophy!

Next was a beautiful hike up to Elephants eye. Blessed with incredible weather made for a stunning day out. One could call it a Goldilocks hike…. Not too tough, not to easy…Just right. Well done Storm on your first trip as lead!

Another hike and adventure to highlight has to be the Kalk bay caving adventure. Trail Fit SA sponsored a trip for us and everybody absolutely loved it. The experience as a whole was awesome. Beans Bus highly recommends using the Trail Fit SA Guys if you ever feel like going local and exploring some of wonderful paths within an hour or two of Cape Town.

Beans Bus was also very proud to be featured on an SABC documentary about Spirituality in recovery. Was very well done and a big thank you to Sharon and Lee for including us in their project.

Also, our winter warmer favourite weekend away at Riverbend olive farm was an absolute winner. Thank you to Trevor and family for hosting us on more than one occasion. Always feels like coming home when we pull into those gates.

The Bowling league continues to rock out our Thursday nights, a couple of good scores and loads of laughs. Come and join, stadium on main, 8pm, every Thursday night!

As spring arrives in next few weeks so does our return to our camping adventures! Looking forward to exploring this amazing country of ours, wide eyed, with wonder we will roll, recovery in our soul, what a journey to behold!

As always, a big thank you to the Treatment centres and private individuals who help make our trips a success, especially Tharagay Addiction Clinics, Highlands House Recovery Centre, Liberty Sober Living, Imani, Kenilworth Baker House and The Livinghouse. 

Summer sun a setting!​

Well the summer of 18/19 sadly almost over, and what a time it was. Many a great times and trips were had.

We tried out a new campsite called Badensfontein close to Montague Springs. Hoping to enjoy the hot springs after a fun morning hike we arrived only to find out the Springs were temporarily booked out by the Harley Davidson club, after attempting to pass off the Beans Bus as a modified Harley we accepted defeat and went back to the campsite where we took in the afternoon in an amazing orchard side splash pool, which considering the heat was probably the better option.

The next week we were honoured to be asked to be filmed for a documentary about fun and spirituality in recovery that is being produced for SABC2. We headed to a favourite spot along the Breede river called Rivierplaas Campsite where we took to the river in some canoes and capsized much to laughter of all present. A little hiking, Foofie Surfing and s forest meditation later we sure they saw what we are about! Many thanks to JB Van Eeden for all his support and help.

The following trip was a weekend away to Petervale Guest Farm where returned for another blissful weekend away stargazing, fishing, hiking, fireside shares and so much more. Milking the cow and the animal feeding always a great way to spend a Saturday morning! The Gods Bath hike also always a pleasure and this time no different.

Our last trip of the Summer was to Beaverlac. Still undeniably one of South Africa’s top campsites, and a Beans Bus favourite. With some great pools, rock jumping, fireside shares and perfect weather, we were not let-down.

The Bowling League doing well with Thursday nights still a hotly contested game with one or two potential contenders for a new high score showing their skills off, yet still the score to beat is 169.

As the Autumn kicks in and things start cooling down, we begin our trips to more warmer environments. So, looking forward to some amazing hikes, hot springs, barns and hot potjie braais to keep the chills away!

So a couple of thanks to Rivierplaas Campsite, Petervale Guest Farm, Tharagay Place, Tharagay House, Highlands House, The Livinghouse, Kenilworth Baker House, Liberty Home and all those individuals who help make our trips possible.

​​First month of the year and what a blast!

We had a great start to the year by exploring a new venue just past Ceres, and what an amazing find it’s proved to be. With a hike to a spot called Gods bath and animal life literally all around we have been blessed to find it. The first trip there we stayed for 4 days and enjoyed some windsurfing, hiking, stargazing, animal feeding and Baboon spotting, as well as some well deserved winding down and rest and relaxation time.
Bringing in the New Years in a forest with fires, friends and farm animals, and a touch of log wrestling (Sorry D), was the best way imaginable to begin 2019!

The second trip we were lucky enough to feel like we were watching a nature documentary, just add Sir David Attenborough…
    ”A fox walks past in the morning on its way back home after a long night on the hunt. At sunrise a dragonfly (AKA Drago) moults and leaves the water and dries its wings and learns to fly for the first time, while a bird tries to catch him but thanks to the Homo-sapiens on hand he survived.
The Baboons catching a lunchtime nap on the rock, their grunts and barks echo throughout the valley, while the 2 canine guides lead the trail to Gods Pond. A frog gets attacked and caught by a snake (Thanks Storm!). 
A Booted Eagle (?) swoops and hunts in and around the camp, the day ended off with the familiar fox going back out after sunset to continue its hunt. What a day in Africa!”

Also we were very lucky to go on a sound journey full of drums, sound bowls and chants courtesy of Mika, what a unique and wonderful experience that was for all. (Can only imagine what the other campers must have thought we were putting in our coffee!)
Ending the trip off we headed to the Ceres Zipline and did our best impression of professionals! (Picture below)

The 3rd trip of the month was a different kind of documentary with some brave guys getting wet off of the coast of Gansbaai to spend some time with the sharks. They were lucky enough to also see a Manta up close and personal. Camping on the coast is always a majestic sensation especially the East coast as the sunsets are breathless. On the back we did some exploring of the local beaches and also a decent bridge jump.

Beans Bus also was proud to organise a little coastal cycle from Sea Point to Camps Bay, was a great turnout thanks to The Living House and also Highlands House. Weather was great and all survived and ready for the Argus! Well done Joanne for getting back on that bike, an analogy hidden in there somewhere!

Also some other news, Beans Bus has a new guide! Welcome to the team Storm, you got what it takes and we proud to have you on board, looking forward to many adventures to come.

The Bowling League has a new all-time high score of 192, well done to Bigz!

We also have a great Feb and March coming up, so looking forward to it!

So all in all the year couldn’t have started off better. Thanks to all the support from The Tharagay Group, The Living House, Highlands, Liberty and all those incredible individuals who prefer to enjoy life clean and sober and take in all its glory.

Live, Love and Support

A Summer and Season of Celebration and Recovery!

​Greetings to all! What a month we have had, and a time to reflect and look back at some of the highlights.

We did our 2nd Obstacle Course, AKA The Recovery Race at Rustenburg Treatment center and it was a wonderful success. Cape Town’s top treatment facilities all did their best to take home the first prize of a weekend away with the Beans Bus, but unfortunately, there could be only one, and top honour went to the team from Tharagay Place, their prize was a trip to Rivierplaas Campsite on the banks of the Breede River for some RnR! 2nd Place went to the Rustenburg team who won a ten pin Bowling day, and 3rd went to Liberty, who won the spirit award.

We then took a few brave adventurers on a 4 day trip up the Garden Route. Weather was in our favour and we got to enjoy the beaches and activities and overcome many a challenge and fear. A highlight on this trip for me was actually spotting some Elephant poop in the Knysna forest, weird I know, but proof that the Knysna Elephant is alive , how close it must have been to us! Also some wonderful fishing in Natures Valley set a new Beans Bus record of 5 fish in under half hour. Of course for some the highlight was the bungee, well done Zahid and Harry! Big up to everyone for making it a special trip.

Then the Beans Bus was off to Beaverlac for a weekend away with a great group of folks. On Saturday we hiked to the Totem Poles and really took it all in. Also did a bit of free climbing that was a great little challenge. Recovery was strong with some amazing campfire shares and fireside chats.

We did a few day activities, including a Yoga Surf day with our special import Sinclair Smith, as well as a Lions head hike and a Camps Bay beach day. The Beans Bus Bowling League is also still rolling and growing with some new high scores and some very competitive action! Come and join every Thursday night.

​As always the trips were a great success and thank you to everyone who participated in making them so special. A big Beans Bus thank you to Rustenburg, The Tharagay Group, Highlands, Liberty, The living House and all the individuals and amzing people who have made each event and activity this year so special.

As we head into the New Year would just like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and also that this coming year is one in which we all grow in our recovery, develop our relationships with ourselves and our families and friends, and celebrate life and love. Recovery is a precious gift, enjoy it.

​Season’s Greetings from the Beans Bus!

What a fantastic and Fabulous weekend of Friends, Frogs, Fishing and Fun!

The Beans were planted on a new and awe inspiring venue in one of the most incredible locations we have had the pleasure of making a home. From Friday morning right through till Sunday afternoon, bliss was on the menu.
La Ferme Trout Farm hosted us and allowed us to utilize there space and enjoy the tranquillity being set between 2 mountains, a river and 4 dams. The camp was setup on a newly found campsite in between a mini forest and a little pond close by. We were blessed in bounty with amazing bird watching, early morning frog spotting and 5 of the most wonderful canine crew to keep us company.  

We were very lucky to be very close to the NA convention happening just 2km down the road and what a great opportunity to experience such an event. Well done NA for pulling off a great event.

Beans Bus family and friends: You guys and girls made it such a special weekend, well done all and a big thank you to everyone for helping and making this one to remember!



TO...

Alpha: Well done on dealing with a sneaky sleeping bag and tent that had more issues than most recovering addicts!

Tash: Brave young lady you are! Hope you enjoyed your stay and experiences make us stronger. Hope the legs are healed up soon.

Mara: Your feminine touch to the camp design and the Beans Bus bog were highly appreciated by many!

Sietze: Congrats  on taking the prize for big fisherman of this trip with a catch of 2 mighty trout!

Joost: Been a fine curtain call trip bud. Beans Bus definitely gonna miss you when you depart us this week.

Etienne: Your Potjie was a winner bud! Really glad to have met you and that you were able to join.

Miles: The pirate, that deck chair next to the pool at convention missing you already! Recovery 101

Storm: Your energy is infectious and you gonna make an incredible river guide and detective one day.

Mika: Thanks for the reading and glad we were able to host you for the Saturday night! PS Keep singing, you have an incredible voice.

Devon and Michaela: Short and sweet, hope you guys join us on more adventures!

Amberley: Thanks for the popcorn! You also full of energy and hope to see you on many more trips.

David L:  Was fun having you on board the Beans Bus trip bud. Glad you decided to stay till Sunday, even if it meant an AA intervention, and not that kind of AA.

Matthew: Thanks for all the help and good laughs. Definitely see you on the bus a lot more!

Denver: D, always a pleasure homie.

Canine Crew: Woof, woof, woof woof………..woof

Thanks to everyone who helped make this one fine trip,  and to La Ferme Trout farm for allowing us to experience a little piece of heaven. 

1st Trip of the season and what a blast!

7 of us headed out to Breede river for a weekend camping. What a great time of year to head out, the weather was great and the flowers were in full bloom. What a sight they were with amazing colors and smells.

Saturday we visited the Karoo Desert Garden park and went on a great hike up and down the mountain making a path of our own on the back.

Tried some fishing but no luck this time, although we did see plenty of fish and 1 in particular seemed to tease us from a couple meters away.

Some foofie sliding, kayaking and swimming was in order as the sun was welcomed on Saturday and Sunday.
Recovery was strong with some great fireside shares, serenity and forest meditation to round off a great trip.

Thanks to The Highlands House Group and Tharagay Treatment for allowing some of there guys to join.

Will: Great curry bud, hope to see you following your dreams of nature conservation, you will make a amazing ranger.

Jason: Loved the singing on Sunday and well done on overcoming your own challenges.

Sietze: Great team player and well done on taking on the foofie!

Graeme: Thanks for all the advice and wisdom you bring to the trips, most appreciated. Ps Shoes in kayaks...bad idea!

Kyle (Guide) + Josh (Junior Guide): Well done guys, thanks for all the help and for being a part of our team.

Also a big thanks to Rivierplaas campsite for making it possible, till next time!

Sand, serenity, shares and Slangkop Lighthouse, and no storms to stop us!

​A Saturday power trip was enjoyed by a fantastic group this last weekend. A wonderful walk along one of the best beaches in Cape Town and a stay over at the amazing Slangkop tented camps, with whale bones in lights and a lighthouse for whales, we took it all in.

​After lunch Jo Rowlands introduced us to The Transformation Way. Followed by the next day with a little power hike to the top of Slangkop mountain. All in under 24hrs!

Beans Bus was also proud to host a group of amazing people, and collectively with over 50 year’s recovery, a new record has been set!

Ian: Thank you for an incredible super share on Saturday, so great to see the change in you and proud to have you as a fellow in recovery!

Louisa: Been a while in the making but finally we got to have you on a trip, and what a pleasure. Hope to see you on many more!

Tobi: Great job on the mountain hike, heard you are a bit of an avid climber! Thanks for your enthusiasm and some great pics.

Hugo: You did amazing on the walk my friend, you overcame huge challenges and really glad to see you do so well. Also the Beans Bus Band in your hands! Keep playing and sing loud and proud.

Denver: Thanks for joining, was great having you on the trip, little run down on Saturday but 100% on Sunday, we like to think Beans Bus did that!

Sam: Really loved having you on another trip, and glad you were able to take it on as you did and use it to add to your recovery. Ps Thank your Dad for the Chicken Stew tips!

Jo: Thanks so much for Saturday, enjoyed learning a bit about the Transformation Way. Hope to hear and see lots more in the future!

Alex: Well done and once again many thanks for all the help, and a big congratulations on your special milestone, proud to call you a valued member of the team!

We did it! Mission complete. Our task was to set 3 goals and overcome, and overcome we did.

Setting out on Friday we expected a chilly weekend, but thanks to ample firewood and a wonderful location we managed to survive what the Cederburg could throw at us.
Warm Potjiekos and pap also helped!

The 3 tasks were set on Friday night, expedition style, using SMART goals we chose Waterfall Hike, Lots Wife and The Stadsdaal and Cavemans Paintings.

Thanks to the Highlands House group for coming along and being such an amazing group to work with. Also thanks to Pierre for making the long journey from Struisbaai.

​The weekend was full of great shares, meetings and even a yoga session on the mountain.
Well done all for such a great attitude and loads of fun.