After a typical South African breakfast of yogurt, cereals, toast, cold meats and cheese we put on our walking clobber and hit the trail for 8.45am.
We had decided today would be an exercise day, John had chosen the trail, a 16k hike to the top of a mountain, just outside the town, called Blaupunt.
The weather was sunny but cool. We found the park area, crossed three fords and began the hike. It took a while to find the trail, which was marked by White pained foot prints. After half an hour we came across the sign marking the trail to the top. On the way we walked through some great flora and forna, including hundreds of large white lilies. Some of the flowers were 9” across. At some points on the valley floor, we were walking up small rivers, managing to keep our feet dry using well placed rocks. A lot of trees were down, making some of the path quite tricky to navigate. We came across many different brightly coloured flowers. The over riding scent was of curry, mint and lemon given off by the plants and bushes along the trail.
Once off the valley floor we began the upward hike which went on for almost two hours. At times we were on our hands and knees navigating the endless switch backs up to the top of the mountain. Near the top, we came across a form of heather with the most flowers we have even seen.
We reached the top at just after mid day, exhausted. It was probably one of the most tiring hikes we have every done. The views were amazing but the wind was blowing a hoolie. After a 15 minute stop, be started the trip home. To begin with, the trail was OK, but as we walked further down the trail became very steep and we became more and more exhausted as the heat of the day increased.
As we reached the valley floor, we came across lots of frogs, a few deer and a troop of noisy monkeys.
We eventually reached the park office where we had to pay 40 rand. Luckily the lady had plenty of water as our water bottles had run out.
We eventually reached our B&B a full 7 hours and 10 minutes after we began.
After a shower and a quick rest, we walked to the local café for coffee and cakes.
We chilled around the pool and then walked to the local posh hotel for our evening meal which was awful. The hotel was like something out of the 50’s and the food tasted like it had been in the oven all that time.
We walked back to our B&B and did not see anyone. This place is a little spooky, it had the feel of a deserted town any time after 6pm.
We had decided today would be an exercise day, John had chosen the trail, a 16k hike to the top of a mountain, just outside the town, called Blaupunt.
The weather was sunny but cool. We found the park area, crossed three fords and began the hike. It took a while to find the trail, which was marked by White pained foot prints. After half an hour we came across the sign marking the trail to the top. On the way we walked through some great flora and forna, including hundreds of large white lilies. Some of the flowers were 9” across. At some points on the valley floor, we were walking up small rivers, managing to keep our feet dry using well placed rocks. A lot of trees were down, making some of the path quite tricky to navigate. We came across many different brightly coloured flowers. The over riding scent was of curry, mint and lemon given off by the plants and bushes along the trail.
Once off the valley floor we began the upward hike which went on for almost two hours. At times we were on our hands and knees navigating the endless switch backs up to the top of the mountain. Near the top, we came across a form of heather with the most flowers we have even seen.
We reached the top at just after mid day, exhausted. It was probably one of the most tiring hikes we have every done. The views were amazing but the wind was blowing a hoolie. After a 15 minute stop, be started the trip home. To begin with, the trail was OK, but as we walked further down the trail became very steep and we became more and more exhausted as the heat of the day increased.
As we reached the valley floor, we came across lots of frogs, a few deer and a troop of noisy monkeys.
We eventually reached the park office where we had to pay 40 rand. Luckily the lady had plenty of water as our water bottles had run out.
We eventually reached our B&B a full 7 hours and 10 minutes after we began.
After a shower and a quick rest, we walked to the local café for coffee and cakes.
We chilled around the pool and then walked to the local posh hotel for our evening meal which was awful. The hotel was like something out of the 50’s and the food tasted like it had been in the oven all that time.
We walked back to our B&B and did not see anyone. This place is a little spooky, it had the feel of a deserted town any time after 6pm.
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