Last weekend the girls at the office were treated to a weekend away on the tranquil banks of the Vaal river. Except, it wasn't so tranquil. Around the corner from this very Zen spot, is a raging torrent, which we negotiated for most of Saturday morning. We were kitted out in life jackets and crash helmets, given a quick rundown on river rafting techniques and put into rubber duckie thingies two by two. My partner, Charmaine who is our receptionist, bless her - could only paddle on the left, so we kept going round in circles! Sounds like a normal day at the office to me. Before we were set loose on the water though, we had to hike to our starting point over obstacles and through the river. I hated it. Let me say that again - I - F$%#*ng! - hated - it! I'm terrified of heights and had to climb up trees and hold onto ropes while crossing parts of the river where the water flowed less peacefully, plus it was slimy and slippery and sometimes just eeeuuuwwwww. I did learn something big though. I found that the more I helped the other girls along the more my terror subsided. In fact, the fear just melts away. Who would have thought I'd get that from some sticks, stones, water and rubber ducks? Oh in case you were wondering we did go through a rapid which dropped two meters across a five meter decline. That was great fun, rather like a water ride in a Disney theme park.