JUNE 2014 COMRADES MARATHON; RUGBY AT GREY; ALLY GIDDY HOCKEY; PARKRUNS AT HOBIE BEACH

JUNE 2014 COMRADES MARATHON
PARKRUN AND BEACHFRONT TRAINING RUNS
ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL
HEARTBREAK HILL 21K EVENT
EAST LONDON TRIPS MADE TOLERABLE AS I AM ABLE TO STAY WITH BEN AND WE EVEN DO SOME MORNING RUNS WITH THE ERIKS GROUP.
ENA GIDDY -- BORN 29.6.1916 TURNS 98 ON SUNDAY 29TH.

Sunday 1st June. Thousands of South Africans watch on TV; Thousands watch on the side of the road and around 16 thousand athletes take part in the Comrades Marathon.

The Comrades marathon is a 90km run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban over some really tough hills. The Second half of the down run can be incredibly tough if you went through Drummond (Halfway) too quickly. We saw this again this year. The race was incredibly exciting from start to finish. A number of our PE friends were there; Marilyn Bull; Helouise Erasmus; Letitia Strauss; Matt and Mark who were running for Michael's fund; Beth and Grant Forbes; Benita Barton were some of the brave who did this race.

LETITIA; MARILYN AND HELOUISE FINISHED COMRADES AGAIN THIS YEAR. AN INCREDIBLY TOUGH EVENT TAKING EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY AND WILL POWER TO CONTINUE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR LOWEST EBB

The first week of June saw me starting my training for some of the upcoming events: Knysna 21 and the September 42k. I managed to run four week days around 10k and on Saturday did the Beach Front circuit; Airport; Strandfontein and Admiralty before doing the 5k parkrun. This morning I ran the parkrun with Margie Saunders who took me through at PB at just over 27 minutes for the run. A total of over 50k for the week.
This morning we have Annie (Birthday Girl)Du Rant; Svenje Duffield; Adrienne Wilson; Stuart Brown; Neil Calder; Andrea Dyer; Liesl De Lange; Catherine Biggs; Kelly Holmes; Margie Saunders; Candice join us for the training run.

MARGIE TAKES ME FOR A PARKRUN PB OF 27.26. WE STARTED THIS MORNING AT 5.30 AND IT WAS REALLY CHILLY BUT BY THE TIME WE RUN THE PARKRUN ALONG THE BEACH THE MORNING SUN HAS WARMED THE AIR

Friday evening -- Fetch Ally from Youth and then Hockey at Grey. A fast and furious match vs Dale ended 2all but Dale were "robbed" of the game as they were the superior team.
Saturday 7th: Start with the training run; then Rugby at Grey vs Dale -- Grey won almost every game played today including a tough First Team game. I spent almost all afternoon at Grey; then Springbok Rugby vs World 15 in Newlands 47-13. Then Ally Hockey at Gelvandale.

HALF TIME -- JOHN; DIANNE; CHARLES; AND PETER ENJOY AN AFTERNOON WATHING GREY PLAY DALE

ALLY PLAYS HOCKEY FOR THE OLD COLLEGIANS AT GELVANDALE ASTRO ON SATURDAY EVENING. ALLY IS NUMBER 45/

ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL
I am in East London for a few days this week and then on Friday John and Bradley Nelson and I drive to Alexandria where we do the Alexandria trail over the weekend. Friday evening a wonderful braai and chatting with our Fellow Hikers -- Graham Richards; Fred Kohler; Marcus Herr; Barry Morris; Matt Gendrich and Brian Saunders.

Saturday morning we set off having paid R275 for the hike and accommodation and a further R50 per night = R375 for the hike. The trail is the same route as when we did this in 2008 and takes us to the Woody Cape resort and the beach. Then a long hike along the beach into a fierce west wind. Up the rope ladder and then the final 3k to the hut. The hut is immaculate.

Sunday morning the wind really picks up. The hike now takes us along a stepped path to the top of the first dune. We then hike for a further 5k with a driving west wind sandblasting us. Finally we reach the bushes and a very long uphill before the final 5k to the hut. The first day had taken us about 6 hours and the second day took up about 5 hours. We were home by about 1pm.
Sunday evening I am at Church and in bed early.

Monday morning. It is a public Holiday. 16.6.2014. we have arranged to meet at Hobie 6pm for a run. We do the beach front run in reverse starting up Admiralty; Erasmus; Strandfontein; airport and back home. It is only light as we approach the beach again and I am able, as I enjoy doing, to take some pics of the group. earlier on we had Andy and Mike Dean with us. We end the run with Annie, Adrienne, Pat, Neil Calder, Stuart, Svennje who persuaded me to sign up for the 21k event next weekend; Stiaan; Andrea and Candice.

SVENJE AND STIAAN CHUGGING TOWARDS THE END OF THE SATURDAY MORNING RUN.

WHY SO SERIOUS SVENJE?

AND ALL THAT NEIL ALLOWS US TO SEE IS THE TOP OF HIS 90 CAP

ANDREA LOOKS LIKE SHE IS JUST ABOUT TO FALL ASLEEP

CANDICE -- DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN THE PHOTO -- STILL FINDS IT SO FUNNY.

JOGGING ALONG THE PROMENADE WITH THE SEA TO THE LEFT

THE OCEAN IS AT ITS HIGHEST TIDE WITH THE FULL MOON THIS WEEKEND

CANDICE AND ANDREA -- GREAT FRIENDS

IF YOU CARRY ON LIKE THIS I AM GOING TO HIT YOU PETER

CANT SNEAK AWAY FROM PETER'S PICS

ADRIENNE AT THE END OF THE HIKE IS AMAZED -- "LOOK HOW TALL STUART IS!"

 A PARKRUN MORNING WITH THE SUNRISE OVER THE HOBIE BEACH PIER

THE PARKRUN TEAM

Monday later and after our run: Barbara and I drive to see Delene and Matthew. They are leaving the farm to move to Hebron next to Woodridge for a year while they build a home on the Patensie road area next to Longmore Forest area. We take a drive and look at the area where Matt will be building. He has started to clear bush to be able to see and visualise the home and other houses that will be to accommodate the recovering guests.
This afternoon I drive to EL. Stay over with Ben. I am in EL to do branch visits to Butterworth over the next three days. I am able to run Tuesday and Wednesday morning so am slowly racking up the Kays.

HEARTBREAK HILL 21K EVENT FROM PRIORY
Svenje has persuaded me to run the Heartbreak 21k. I collect her at 5.45 and we drive through to Priory School. We register for the run and walk to the start. We are right at the back with John Nelson, Duncan, Benita Barton, Michelle Elfick, Ronel Scheepers, Elmarie and Chris Botha, Gerald and Pat Scheepers, Kobus Gerber, Helen and Tanya Smith -- all from MPRG. A really good representation this morning.

The race starts at 6.30am. THere are crowds in front of us. The route takes us up the road past Brenda's house to Glendore Road and down to the Schoenies Road. We turn RIght towards the ocean and then Left into Sardinia Bay Road. I see Letitia ahead of us so jog on a bit to be able congratulate her on her Comrades Finish.

RUNNING UP HEARTBREAK  HILL WITH BETH HECHTER

We are jogging at a bit under 6 minutesa kay. At this stage we are Ronel; Elmarie; Letitia; Svenje and Beth. We make our way up and along Sardinia Bay Road and then right past the Golf Course. There is a smart new entrance to the Golf Course (it must be doing well). Beth also did Comrades and is planning to do Dryland with Grant. We continue up to the New Seaview Road and are now on Heartbreak Hill. This is a long hill but is not too steep so we are able to maintain our pace. We see Claire up ahead and chat for a while. Claire is moaning about the length of the hill. It is a bit of a never ending story. Finally we go up and over the top of the hill and turn right into Boundary road and then an immediate left down a steep road. I see the distinct style of Steve Mc Donald ahead and so chat to him for a short while before he heads off. I wait at the bottom of the hill for Svenje. I had said that we would run this thing as a team.

When we had started earlier we had debated if we should wear long sleeves or not. I am glad that I left mine in the car. Even though most of this run is in shade, I was not at all cold. From here we run back into Glendore Road and turn Right and then left into this suburb and along the road where the vanThiel's lived. This road emerges back in the suburb where Priory is. We turn left up a bit of a short steep hill and then left again for the final Km. Not surprising -- there is yet another steep hill ahead of us. We grind our way to the top and then jog the final 500meters to the finish.

Svenje has timed us and we have run around 2;09. We ran the whole way with no walking. Not a spectacularly fast time but this is not an easy course with many hills and turns. And the hills are mostly in the second half of the run.

We Drive to Summerstrand to fetch Ally; then home; then take Ally and her friend Sarah to Drama at School.

GRAHAM; BRIAN AND MATT ON THE ALEXANDRIA TRAIL

LOOKING ACROSS THE BEACH TO THE CLIFFS WHERE WE WILL CLIMB UP TO THE WOODY CAPE HUT

SATURDAY MORNING 21ST JUNE. WINTER SOLITICE. WE HAD STARTED AT PRIORY AT 6.30AM AND HAD RUN DOWN GLENDORE ROAD, SCHOENMAKERS KOP ROAD, SARDINIA BAY ROAD AND WERE NOW ON THE HEARBREAK HILL ON THE NEW SEAVIEW ROAD. BETH DID COMRADES EARLIER THIS MONTH AND IS NOW LIFTING HER LEGS UP THIS LONG HILL.

NOTHING CHANGES -- BETH LOOKS HER NORMAL CHEERFUL SELF.  WE HAD NOT RUN ANY DISTANCE ON A ROAD FOR MANY YEARS.

HERE IS ROSE RUNNING STRONGLY UP HEARTBREAK.

CLAIRE IS AS TOUGH AS NAILS WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING UP HILLS.

CHEERFUL, HAPPY AND STRONG ON THIS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL PE WINTER MORNING. THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE BEING OUT IN A WINTER SUN.

STEVE MC DONALD WITH JUST A FEW KAYS TO GO

RONEL AND ELMARIE -- MAKING UP A STRONG PE CLUB TEAM.

TANYA SMITH AND HELEN -- PART OF THE MPRG

PETER POHLMAN -- ACHILLES FROM BEHIND

LETITIA STRAUS -- ANOTHER COMRADES FINISHER FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH. FINISHED WITH JUST THREE MINUTES TO SPARE. HAD TO RUN WITH HEART AND SOLE OVER THE FINAL FEW KM'S TO COMPLETE HER SECOND COMRADES

SVENJE MANAGED TO RUN THIS TOUGH EVENT FROM START TO FINISH.

TRACEY CROMMELIN -- NOT ONLY A WONDERFUL YOUTH PASTOR BUT AN ATHLETE AS WELL.

ONLY A COUPLE OF KAYS TO GO SVENJE -- VAS BYT.

Saturday 21st June: afternoon -- Ally has Drama Practical at School. Then it is Hockey at Westerning School against Old Vics and then we go to Braai with Wayne and Sonja. Sonja's Birthday. It is always a pleasure to visit them. Wayne is welcoming and we love their family.

Sunday morning -- we sleep late. I have to load some branches and bags for the rubbish tip. Then I take Ally to the shops to print letters of introduction for her and she takes the opportunity to spend more of my money on Ear Phones for her computer and hair stuff for her trip on Monday.

OUR HIKING GROUP FOR THE ALEXANDRIA TRAIL; FRED; MATT; BARRY; BRADLEY; JOHN; GRAHAM; MARCUS AND BRIAN

JACQUI LOVING EMILY

NICKY AND CATHY

BLAKE AND SAUL

CHRISTIAN THE COOK -- DOES EVERYTHING FROM BRAAI TO BAKING

LENE AND JESSICA AT RUGBY EP KINGS VS BLUE BULLS

JOSH AND DANIEL AND JESSICA -- DRESSED WARMLY FOR A COLD EVENING OF RUGBY. EP KINGS BEAT BLUE BULLS

MIA AND ZARA WITH THEIR GIFTS FROM STEFAN'S HONG KONG TRIP

AARON AND CHRIS WITH NEW CELL PHONES AND OTHER GADGETS FROM HONG KONG

NICKY RECEIVED A FULL SET OF RUNNING GEAR

DAD AND NICKY. NOT SURE WHEN THE PIC WAS TAKEN -- FOUND ON WHAT'S UP FAMILY.

Monday 23rd. We are all up early and with a few final additions we take Ally to the airport for her trip to Israel. I have put some Brandy, Amarula, chocolates and home made Crunchies into Ally's bag. We have given her the full itinerary and letters of introduction so she should be okay. We see her off through the ticket area and leave her to make it to Jhb, international departures and finally the trip to TelAviv on her own.
Later on Monday evening I am at our cell group and Ally arrives with Michael to fetch her and sends us a what's up pic. She is safe!
Tues and Wed I run 10k each morning. But Wed eve Barbara persuades me to go to Hockey with her and Lene. We meet at St George's park next to the cricket grounds and are soon caught up in a game. I think that I become over keen and run around too vigorously because I start to feel stiff and sore before the game is over. Jessie scores a goal.

Thursday morning. I am supposed to run hills with Stuart but can hardly get out of bed. My back, hips, knees are all sore. So I take a break. Friday morning I run with a friend of Marshall Thompson, our Neighbour. We do the 5k Parkrun. Then Sat morning s small group of us run from Hhobie beach. Adrienne is in Canada doing an Alaskan tour. This morning on the run: Mike Dean and Pat join us for the first half, then it is ELMARIE Botha, Viv Bullock, Stuart, Neil Calder and myself for the second half.
We do a solid 15k and then I am race director at Parkrun where we have around 300 runners. Catherine completes her 50th. Today celebrates Nahoon 100th event. Helping me are ELMARIE, Gerald, Chris, Annie and John, Werner.

After a shower I take some branches and stuff to the tip and then catch up with abit of admin while sitting in the sunny lounge. Just then Marshall stops by and offers me 3 x tickets to Rugby. Springboks Vs Scotland. I am just so stunned and excited. This week I have had a couple of amazing things happen. A cheque from the company was sent to me as study assistance for Ally so I was able to pay that in just when it was most needed. And now these tickets! Gail is staying with us so Lene let's the three children stay with her while she, Barbara and I go off to rugby. We dress warmly but as it turns out we are in shirtsleeves until half time. It is a wonderful evening out. We have excellent seats. The Boks win 55-6.

Sunday 29th June 2014. Ena's 98th birthday. Yvonne Ena Spence, Born this day 29/6/1916 in Dumfrieshire, Scotland. Barbara, Lene, Jessica, Joshua, Daniel climb into the Qashqai with Josh and Danny in the boot area and drive through to Plett where we meet up with Patrick, Marianne, Isabelle, St John, Thomas, Julia who sis doing her field work research in the Garden route, Tsitsikamma area for her Phd.

We hear from Israel that Ally is loving being with her family who are loving having her to stay. She is not feeling at her best, probably change is climate and food and even some jet lag.
Cathy is planning a trip to New Zealand with her family.
Nicky has had some real upsets since Stefan returned from the East and Turkey where he did some work for a few weeks

SUNDAY MORNING 29TH BEFORE DRIVING TO PLETT FOR ENA'S BIRTHDAY; I AM INVITED TO JOIN THIS ELITE GROUP OF ATHLETES.

MORNING RUNNING ALONG THE PROMENADE WITH MANDY; ANDREA; KELLY AND CANDICE

CANDICE; MANDY; ANDREA AND KELLY LEADING THE PACE

PARKRUN TEAM OF BERND; CATHY AND BABY MAX AND GRAHAM

MAX LOVES PARKRUNS

CHRIS AND GERALD AND ELMARIE HELP THIS MORNING AT PARKRUN. STUART RUNS AFTER HE AN I HAVE HAD A LONG MORNING RUN OF OVER 15K

STEVE; VIV AND NEIL -- LOVE SATURDAY MORNING RUNS

CATHY COMPLETES HER 50TH PARKRUN

ENA BIRTHDAY WITH JESSICA; JULIA; ISABELL AND

MARIANNE; ENA AND TOM

THOMAS WITH DANIEL; JOSHUA AND ST JOHN WHO KEPT THEM AMUSED THIS MORNING

ALLY WITH EMILY AND JACQUI IN ISRAEL.

ALLY WAS JUST SO SPOILT WITH EMILY AND TOM

ALLY LOVING HER FAMILY.

FROM THE BALCONY YOU CAN SEE ACROSS JERUSALEM

JOSH AND DANIEL AND LENE AT RUGBY VS SHARKS.

ZARA AND BIRD ENJOYING THEIR PASTA

ZARA WITH A VERY BIG BIRD

AARON AND THE RED PAROT

MIA IS GAME FOR ANYTHING

JACQUI AND ALLY AT AN OUTSIDE CAFE IN ISRAEL

I REALLY CANNOT SEE WHY ALLY WAS BEING SO SPOILT BY HER SISTER IN ISRAEL

ALLY AND EMILY WITH ???

ALLY AND ANABELLE

ALLY EMILY AND JACQUI

FAMILY TIME IN JACQUI'S CAR

ALLY AND JACQUI ARE HAGING SUCH FUN TOGETHER

ENA'S BIRTHDAY WITH ISABELLE; IAN; ENA; BARBARA; JESSICA; JULIA

APPETISING?

FAMILY ICE CREAM SESSION

BATH TIME TOM

ALLY ARRIVES SAFELY IN TEL AVIV AND IS MET BY MICHAEL.

BERND COMPLETES HIS 50TH PARKRUN THE WEEKEND BEFORE CATHERINE

ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL TO WOODY CAPE JUNE 2014

ON THE WAY TO THE ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL WE STOP AT THE KAREL LANDMAN MONUMENT.

ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL TO WOODY CAPE 13TH JUNE 2014

GRAHAM RICHARDS
FRED KOHLER
MARCUS HERR
BRIAN SAUNDERS
BARRY MORRIS
MATT GENDRICH
JOHN AND BRADLEY NELSON



Karel landman

Trek leader Karel Landman 5.3.1796 – 2.5.1875  was forced to leave his farm on the Olifantshoek near to Alexandria after he suffered heavy losses in the sixth Frontier war. In October 1837, after a long period of waiting for circumstances to change, he led a party of 39 families – 200 people – from the same district to Natal where he eventually settled close to the Umgeni river, near Port Natal.

He was second in command in the Battle of Blood River 16.12.1838 and later became the chairman of the Volksraad and Landrost of Pietermaritzburg. After Natalia was Annexed by the British he settled on the farm Uithoek ( near Colenso) where he died and was buried.

When the organisers of the symbolic trek of 1938 did not manage to include the Landman trek in their planning, two leaders of the Sand Vlakte ward (district of Paterson) decided in September 1938 to seek support in building a local monument. Very soon that was done on the Koirant. The site symbolizes Landman because of its prominent and Central position in the area from which the Group trekked. It was also donated by JA Scheepers whose mother (Landman) was a grand daughter of the Trek Leader’s brother; Willem Adolf.

The Globe was placed in such a way that it gives prominence to the Wagon and team of Oxen spanning Southern Africa, Once again symbolizing the settlement of the Voortrekkers there. In 2012 ownership of the site was transferred to the Heritage Foundation who manages it in cooperation with the local Vow Committee.

BRAD AND JOHN AT KAREL LANDMAN

THIS IS THE KAREL LANDMAN HALL AT THE MONUMENT AREA.

We had last done this trail in 2008. Graham and Fred had spoken about doing a trail while cycling and had invited the group to get together. Marcus had a nasty car accident in 2013 and had been walking and trying to get fit again. Barry had long last done a hike but keeps fit with the 6th Ave group. Brian is as fit as he can be and ran last Saturday with our beach front group. The rest of the group stay fit on the bike or jogging.
We left Friday afternoon in three cars. I travelled with John and Bradley. We stopped to see the Karel Landman monument and I showed John how he can access the Amakhala reserve just after the monument.
The drive from PE to Alexandria is about an hour 100km and a further 20min to the hut. Once you reach Alexandria you turn right to Woody Cape Nature Reserve which is now part of SAN Parks Addo Elephant.

OUR OVERNIGHT HUT -- BRIAN HAS AN EARLY BEER

We had been allocated this house as the old overnight huts were being renovated. This house has a hot shower; one loo for a possible 12 people; a fridge and microwave; crockery and other kitchen utensils. and three comfortable rooms sleeping four each. The beds have comfortable mattresses. All you need is your sleeping bag and pillow and food to eat.

GRAHAM STRIPS OFF TO CHOP WOOD FOR THE EVENING BRAAI. HE HAS SOME NAMIBIAN HARDWOOD WHICH MAKES FOR GOOD BRAAI WOOD

The Braai area is set at the back of the house. We had a fire going as it became dusk. It is winter so the sun sets soon after 5pm.
This evening I had some sausages on the braai; mixed vegetables in foil and a micro waved soft potato to warm up. I had enough for the two days of hiking and packed the left overs in the fridge for the hike. A couple of beers and a good supper made us all quite sleepy and we were is bed early.

CHOPPING AND SPLITTING LOGS

Saturday morning -- we are all up early washing, packing and eating various breakfast's. I take instant oats on the hike as it is quick and easy. I had also brought some Nartjies which I have at every opportunity. 
The cost of this hike is presently R275pp for the two nights. In addition to this we had to pay a conservation levy of R50 which turned out to be per night so the total cost worked out at R375pp. This is a bit steep but considering the quality of the accommodation over the two nights I dont suppose we should complain.
We started hiking at around 7.30 after the formalities of signing the register and paying the conservation fee.
The first section takes the hiker across the road and up a two hills. The second is long and we regrouped and had a short rest at the top.
Shortly thereafter, at the bottom of that hill, is a beautiful rest area with table and chairs under this huge tree.

THE FIRST DAY TAKES US UP A LONG HILL. WE STOP AT THE TOP FOR  A REST AND THEN DOWN TO THE OFFICIAL RESTING SPOT WHERE WE FIND TABLES AND CHAIRS AT THE BASE OF THIS HUGE TREE.

TWO FOOTPRINTS FACING RIGHT -- THIS ALWAYS INDICATES A  TURN.

We turn into the forest and continue hiking until we reach the open field where we stop each time we do this hike. There is a tree which gives shade but also one needs to be aware of the ticks which infest fields of this kind. Graham immediately found one crawling on his leg.
At each of these stops I would pull out some left over sausage or a nartjie for a quick bite to eat. I wanted to end this hike with no left over food if possible. There is nothing quite as dumb as carrying food uneaten for two days.
When I packed I had done so with the knowledge that this is a tough two days of about 35k in total and had tried to work it out that I was carrying as little as possible. carrying light is important when hiking the Alexandria trail with the long days and the dunes. I had some warm clothes for the second evening plus just enough food, two beers and most importantly, two liters of water.

JUST BEFORE THE WOODY CAPE BACKPACKERS AND PUB WE TURN RIGHT INTO THE ADDO RESERVE AND ALONG A BOARDWALK TO THE TOP OF THE DUNE.

After the field you walk across the road and towards Woody Cape Backpackers. Matt and I were chatting away about family and Grandchildren and missed to OBVIOUS gate. There is no water at the backpackers. We backtracked along the road, found the turn and headed into the Nature Reserve again. Up along the boarwalk and up to the top of the dune.

GRAHAM; BRIAN AND MATT. BRINGING UP THE REAR OF THE HIKE. SHORTLY AFTER THIS WE MISSED THE TURN AND CONTINUED ON TO THE BACKPACKERS.

MATT ENJOYS THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE BOARDWALK BEFORE HEADING DOWN TO THE BEACH.

Matt, Brian and I admire the view across the beach and of the Bird Island light house. In our bay we have a couple of Islands near to the Coega Harbour called St Croix and then further towards the North East of the bay is Bird Islands group where thousands of Penguins and Gannets live with the seals and gulls which all provide for meals for the sharks that infest this section of the bay. This is a consevation area with limited access. Graham remembers how his Dad would come across to the Island to take care of the family who tended the lighthouse. The Lighthouse is now unmanned and automatic. Graham's dad would explore where ever possible, collecting pictures of all the lighthouses around the country. This is part of his legacy and one of the ways in which Graham developed a love for exploring and the outdoors.

WE SEE THE GROUP DOWN BELOW ON THE BEACH. WE CAN ALSO SEE THE BIRD ISLANDS AND THE LIGHTHOUSE FROM HERE.

The specks on the beach is the rest of our group who waited for us stragglers. We had now hiked around 12 or 13k which had taken us about 3.30hrs. After a short rest we headed west along the beach towards the cliffs in the far distance.

FROM THE VIEW POINT WE SEE ACROSS THE BEACH TO THE CLIFFS WHERE WE WILL EVENTUALLY CLIMB UP. FROM THE BEACH HERE IT IS ABOUT 5K TO THE ROPE LADDER. THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH SECTION AS THE WEST WIND HAS REALLY PICKED UP AND WE HAVE TO DUCK OUR HEADS TO TRY TO AVOID THE SAND GETTING INTO OUR EYES.

Today we had a West Wind to contend with. Fortunately for us the moon was full and we had a super low tide as can be seen in this picture. The low tide made this section of the hike much more pleasant than if we had been hiking at High tide, in the soft sand and into the wind. We were lucky.
As we walked this section into the wind talking is difficult as our words were swept away with the wind. However Graham and I did talk about the Surfers marathon in EL. I have done a number of Surfers which is about 18k of beach and road in East London and a real tough event. Maybe Graham will join me next year.
Plough Shells -- those little creatures that swarm around blue bottles and jellyfish, are the main life form that you see as you hike this section. The beach was clean of debris and litter. The rangers drove past in their truck. We thought probably making sure that no illegal use was being made of this conservation section of beach.

FINALLY WE REACH THE CLIFFS. IT IS STILL A LONG SLOG BEFORE WE REACH THE ROPE LADDER.

The hike along the beach could be about 3 or 4k to the cliffs and then another one km to the rope ladder.  For us it was mostly firm sand with only occasional sections of soft sand.

BRIAN IS SHADOWED BY THE CLIFFS TO THE RIGHT.

THE ROPE LADDER WITH FRED AND MATT WATCHING US FROM THE TOP.

It is easy to miss this rope ladder if you are chatting or if you have your head down against the west wind. You must first climb up unaided, then grab the rope, pull yourself up and the last bit has steps. It is probably best to allow the person ahead to complete or almost complete the climb as this allows him to make optimal use of the rope.

BRIAN SCRAMBLES UP THE FIRST SECTION TO REACH THE ROPE. WITHOUT THE ROPE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CLIMB TO THE TOP  OF THIS SECTION.

GRAHAM IS JUST BEHIND BRIAN.

AT THE TOP OF THE ROPE LADDER WE TAKE A SHORT BREAK BEFORE HEADING OFF ON THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE DAY. IT IS ABOUT 3K TO THE HUT FROM HERE INCLUDING A STEEP DUNE CLIMB TO START OFF WITH. TODAY, WITH THE WEST WIND STINGING OUR LEGS AND FACES THE DUNE CLIMB IS AS TOUGH AS IT GETS.

There is absolutely no reason to rush the hike. Make use of every opportunity to rest and to enjoy the views and surroundings throughout the day. The longest you could take today is about 7 hours from start to finish. For us we hiked between 5.30 to 6.30 hours depending if you were in the fast or the slow group.

THE WOODY CAPE HUT IS REALLY WELL APPOINTED WITH CROCKERY, GLASSES, CUTLERY.

From the top of the rope ladder you climb a steep dune before heading along about 2k of pathway which, as it always does just before reaching the hut, appears to take for ever. Finally we see a sign indicating the route we will take tomorrow and then walk under the canopy along a boarwalk to the hut.The really nice thing about arriving at the Woody Cape hut is how well appointed it is. There is absolutely everything that a hiker could want. The pictures tell it all.

A GAS COOKER WITH TWO LARGE GAS BOTTLES MAKES IT UNNECESSARY TO CARRY A COOKER.

JOHN; BRADLEY; BRIAN; GRAHAM AND I SHARED A ROOM. THE MATRESSES ARE COMFY AND HAVE A MATRESS PROTECTOR. ABOVE US IS A SKYLIGHT TO MAKE THE ROOM BRIGHT. THIS EVENING IS FULL MOON AND WE HAVE A WELL LIT HUT ALMOST THE WHOLE EVENING.

Soft mattresses make for a really good afternoon nap or an early sleep. There are candle holders with bedside tables and the rooms are not nearly as cramped as we have had in some of the hikes.

BRAD IS ON THE TOP BUNK.

BRIAN UNPACKS AND TAKES OFF HIS SWEATY SHIRT.

The kitchen and the dining room both have tables and chairs. There are interesting posters on the walls with all kinds of information to make the hike a lesson in Marine Biology.

WE HAD REACHED THE HUT AT ABOUT 2PM FROM A 7.30AM START. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE FINAL BIT OF SUN TO DRY OUT OUR CLOTHING.

Looking out from the balcony; we soon had our evening beverages with sufficient snacks to keep an early evening conversation flowing. This is the fun part of hiking. This evening Graham spotted a small pod of three whales passing by as they headed in an easterly direction. They appeared to be feeding as they slapped the ocean with their tails.  Strangely they were not "blowing" and we saw no spouts.


THERE ARE TWO HUGE TANKS WITH THOUSANDS OF LITERS OF WATER WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN AIRLIFTED TO THE HUT AS WE CANNOT IMAGINE THAT THEY WERE CARRIED.

The tanks are certainly sufficient for 12 hikers. We had more than enough water to supply our evening needs and for the next day. I imagine that if it did not rain for months there would still be enough water for everyone.


RELAXING AFTER THE LONG CLIMB FROM THE DUNES TO THE TOP IOP OF THIS HILL WHICH IS ABOUT 2K IN TOTAL.

Sunday morning. We left the hut at around 7.10 says Barry. The first Kay is along a path and steps to the top of the dune which used to be a major shlep. From there we had 5kays of tough dune climbing while being chased by a strong west wind. The going up was tough because the sand was loose and would drive up against our legs and invade every part of the body. I had a Buff and put that over my head leading to Barry calling me Peter of Arabia. I personally ended up between groups. I could not see the footprints of those in front. I could not see Brian and Graham behind me. I Battled to see the next footprint sign and basically headed towards the sun in the East. A generally miserable section of the hike. I was again glad that my bag was light.
Finally I reached the group and was able to enjoy a Nartjie and a Boerrie Roll. Empty boots of the sand and set myself for the next section. We had now walked about 6k in around 2 hours. From where we left the sand dunes we began a trek past some cattle pastures and up a really long (2km) hill. This hill is steep and not for someone who is not reasonably cardio fit.


At the top of the hill we were allowed (by Fred's fast friends) to have a brief rest before he announced: "Riiiiiight" which meant -- Lets go.
From here we have about 5km of walking left. This is going to be probably the easiest section of the two days. There are no long climbs left. The walking is through a shaded canopy, sheltered from the, still blowing strongly, westerly. There was no more stopping. Graham, Brian and I hoofed it along at a steady pace chatting, as we had the full two days, about the "old days".
We exit the forest to find ourselves at the Friday night house. A short while later we are gathering with the rest of the group at the cars.
A decision was made to stop at Nanaga for a Pie and Chips; John, Bradley and I decided to head for home. John dropped me off that Sunday afternoon at about 2pm in time to have a wash, get my clothes washed and unpack my stuff in time for church.

Monday morning I was still stiff and sore but forced myself out of bed to meet with the group for a 15k run at the beach front.  

Thanks to Graham and Fred for setting the hike up. It was good to make new friends, to catch  up with Young (old) friends and to be in the outdoors with a good excuse to indulge ourselves in too much to eat and drink. \






WE ARE ABOUT TO SET OFF ON DAY ONE

ON THE OPEN FIELD UNDER THE TREE THAT WE ALWAYS SEEM TO USE AS A STOP. WATCH OUT FOR TICKS

LOOKOUT ACROSS THE BEACH WE ARE ABOUT TO HIKE WITH MATT; PETER AND GRAHAM

ON THE BEACH -- WE HAVE PROBABLY HIKED AROUND 12K AND HAVE ABOUT 8 TO GO. FRED MEASURED THE DISTANCE TODAY AT JUST OVER 20K 

GRAHAM WITH HIS BUFF TO SHIELD AGAINST THE WIND AND SAND

LEAVING WITH BACKPACKS. I WEAR THIS BRIGHT YELLOW SHIRT FOR THE TWO DAYS