Planetwalker comes to town
The famous Planetwalker, Dr John Francis (77), passed through Mossel Bay this week as part of his walk from Cape Town to Cairo.
John is well known for not speaking for 17 years, for his constant travels on foot and his environmental conservation efforts.
He wrote the book, Planetwalker: 22 Years of Walking. 17 Years of Silence.
He didn't talk for 17 years, from his 27th birthday, because he found he argued his points on conservation too much and did not listen enough.
For 22 years he did not use motorised transport. It was his gentle protest after he witnessed the horrific destruction of an oil slick.
Mossel Bay local, retired teacher Derrick Hendricks, who walked a stretch of the way with John, said: "He is incredible. He doesn't talk much; he just listens. Meeting him in person, he is so much more than what you read about him."
Electric
Indeed, John's personality is electric and he brightened up a cloudy Mossel Bay with his big, dazzling smile. He is extremely charismatic, without saying much, just making people feel extra special.
He is super relaxed and humorous. John said he was blown away by the St Blaize Trail and amazed at the diversity of the vegetation. "My goodness, it is awesome."
He visited South Africa last year and walked from Cape Point to Gordon's Bay, then arrived again last month, walking from Gordon's Bay to Mossel Bay. John arrived in Mossel Bay on Monday, 12 February, and left for Great Brak the next day.
Plettenberg Bay
He is finishing his walk in Plettenberg Bay. Besides Derrick Hendricks, accompanying John for parts of his walk have been Mossel Bay locals, Lighthouse Pilgrimage of Hope walk coordinator Gerrie van Deventer; Mark Brettenny, involved in the GLOBE (www.globe.gov) programme and the @ Peace Care Centre in Mossel Bay; and David Morimoto from Lesley University, Boston, who works on projects with John.
The Lighthouse Pilgrimage of Hope is from Mossel Bay's St Blaize Lighthouse to Agulhas.
GLOBE is collaborating with John's team to coordinate Planetwalk Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo.
John plans to return to SA soon and take up his walk again from Plettenberg Bay, northwards.
New Jersey
A resident of New Jersey in the United States, John points out that it is cold in New Jersey now, so hiking in the February heat in South Africa is an attraction. "Also, it's easier for my family to let me go in the winter."
He and his wife, a psychotherapist, have two boys, aged 17 and 23.
John told Mossel Bay Advertiser: "When I stopped riding in cars and speaking, people thought it was a sign that it was the end of the world. Some thought it was the Aquarian age and some people thought I was crazy.
"I thought I would not speak for a year. I had to stop volunteering as a fireman. I walked across the US, played the banjo, went to college and got my undergraduate