MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON OCTOBER 2014

MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2014
As we run this event we cross the poort 21 times. Each crossing has a name and each name has a history. The following information is in the information center next to the waterfall in the Poort.

From De Rust:
1.Spookdrif: A supernatural light in the form of a ball of fire has been seen at this point.
2.Skansdrif: Stone Ramparts were built here to prevent flooding.
3.Damdrif: There was a very large water-hole here that was deceptive particularly to strangers who would often become bogged down in the mud.
4.Boesmansdrif: here there are deep clefts in the rock face where San people used to live.
5.Skelmkloof Drif: here there is a hidden ravine where water trickles into the Groot Rivier.
6.Aalwyndrif: Named after the beautiful aloes that over look this drift. Aloes are sought after for their medicinal uses.
7.Nooiensboomdrif: A Nooiensboom is a Cabbage Tree and two of these trees used to grow on either side of the road.
8.Stewelsdrif: A “stewel” is translated as a Boot. A wagoner of farmer Petrus Meiring lost his boots here and had to return home for a new pair. Here the name Dubbledrif can also be seen. This does not appear to be an official name of a drift as it does not appear on the list of Drifts in the information center.
9.Perskeboomdrif: so named from the peach trees that used to grow close to this Drift.
10.Sanddrif: Sandbanks would cause obstructions here. The first Concrete causeway was built here in 1948
11.Herrie se drif: first known as Nagas drif it later took on the name Herrie. C J Langenhoven (1873 – 1932) poet and afrikaans writer, is best known for composing the South African National Anthem: “Uit die Blou van onse hemel” which was later adapted to our present anthem incorporating Nkosi Siki Lele in 1995 when Nelson Mandela become president. Langenhoven carved out the name Herrie which was the name of his fictional Elephant in his book: “Sonde met die Bure”. This is one of the few cases of Graffiti becoming a National Heritage site. It was proclaimed in 1973 to celebrate the birth date of Langenhoven.
12.Witperdedrif: a Rabbi and his horses were washed away at this site. His remains were never found.
13.Ou Tol drif: named after the Old Toll house which has been gone for many years
14.Wadrif: Legend has it that a number of wagons were washed away here.
15.Witfonteindrif: there is a steam of crystal clear water that flows from kranses to the west of this crossing.
16.Uitspandrif: there is sufficient area for the wagoners to allow the oxen to turn and to graze in this area.
17.Waterfaldrif: so called after a nearby waterfall.
18.Ontploffingsdrif: a wagon loaded with explosives traveling along the Boer Road exploded close by here. The Anglo Boer war / South African war (1899 – 1902) saw the British Soldiers build a fort with wall so stone here.
19.Derdetoldrif: to the West of this crossing two more Toll Houses were built. The ruins of these houses can still be seen here.
20.Rooiuitspanningsdrif: here there was sufficient space for a number of ox wagons to outspan. The red comes from the red soil in the area.
21.Pereboom se drif. As you approach this drift you go through a horse shoe bend. A saffron pear tree grew here making this a popular place for wagons to outspan
22.Bloupunt drif: wagons would frequently become stuck in the loose gravel here. The name is derived from that of a nearby farm.
23.Wasgatdrif: Entering Meiringspoort from the North, travelers could fill their barrels and could wash off the Karoo dust in the first really deep pools in many miles.
24.Opmetingsdrif: in 1912 measurements were taken to decide upon building a dam in this possibly suitable position.
25.Laaste Drif: traveling from the South this would have been the last drift that you would cross.

Petrus Meiring owned the farm where De Rust is now situated. It was he who loved to explore and discovered the route through the Swartberg mountain range, we now refer to as Meirings Poort. He was the son of a Pastor Meiring who arrived in South Africa in 1743.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE MAKE THIS ANNUAL TREK IS TO ENJOY THE MAGNIFICENT ROCK FACES OF THE MEIRINGSPOORT


At this event I come across
From Achilles
Audrey; Gail and Merle
Rodney and Leslie
Shane
 Craig Wilson
Allan Taylor
Christine Claassen
Dawn Black
Heidi and …. Jansen
Ian and Pat Thompson

From our running group:
Chris and Elmarie Botha
Gerald and Pat Scheepers
Liesl De Lange
Bev
Helen; Mike and Tania Smith.
Duncan and Natalie Stewart.
Adele vd Venter.
Mike and Debbie Dean.

Others
Dean Gow
Tracey and Rolf
Pauline, Ray and Roz Wilson
Grant Breedske
Guy and Sandy Cooke with their two athletic sons.
Peter and Margie Newton

Nicky and I had entered as soon as Entries were opened on line. I had, at the same time booked two chalets at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn. We have stayed here a number of times and find it to be suitable for our needs as the children can run around as they please and feel quite safe.

Barbara, Ally and I left Port Elizabeth at almost exactly the same time as Nicky on Friday Morning 10th. We stopped at Woolworths for some provisions and a Chai Tea each. We found the road leaving PE to be quite busy. We turned off from the N2 to the Langkloof road. This road is normally a lot quieter. We had left just before 10am and drove non stop to DeRust. We arrived around 13.30; Found parking behind the church hall and registered for Nicky and myself. I collected Julia’s Number and her blanket that she had ordered. Julia was in Plett staying with Patrick and his family who were on Holiday there. Ena has become ever stronger after a fall and being in hospital with a broken arm. Ena has been trying to recover for the past three or four months. Julia was trying to catch up with her research project on Eco Tourism in the Tsitsikamma area which she is working on for her PHD.

We drove through to Oudtshoorn and booked into Kleinplaas. Nicky arrived shortly after us. I had to do some work and then bought some provisions for the next two days. I had paid the accommodation off over the past 6 months and so had nothing left to pay when we arrived. This evening I made a Braai of Chicken and Boerewors; Coleslaw; Mushrooms and potato. Everyone ate well and was in bed early.

Saturday morning: Up at 4.30; breakfast of Future Life and a banana and we left just after 5am. Nicky and I drove through to DeRust in her new Kia. We had to put some petrol and still arrived in DeRust in good time to find parking close to the Start Area. We walked to where the trucks were leaving and Nicky spotted a Bus. We quickly jogged to it to find Two Open spaces. What a bonus! I was wearing just my running vest while Nicky had brought her tracksuite top in case it became really cold. This morning the temperature was about 13 Degrees and really not that cold.
The bus took us to the start area where Nicky and I both met up with some of our friends.  Running is really a social activity. People love to greet other runners and renew old friendships with this common Interest.  We had some tea and made our way to the start. I like to stand as close to the start line as possible as this gives you a time advantage in a crowded event like this one. Even though we were right on the line, a number of real athletes pushed in front of us as trucks and cars had right of passage on this main road.
The gun starts us off at 7am. We run 1;5km out towards Prince Albert and then turn back towards DeRust. It all seems like downhill. We go out fairly fast but there are already a hundred runners in front of us as we turn. I enjoy this as we are able to see who is ahead and who is still to catch us. Nicky has not been able to do any real training over the past month as they have been moving and had no stability. Nicky also has no running partners or people with whom she can train.

DEEP IN THE POORT YOU RUN RIGHT NEXT TO AND EVEN UNDER THE ROCKS

RIVER CROSSINGS GIVE THIS EVENT A SPECIAL FEEL

We keep a steady pace; averaging around five and a half minutes a kay. Nicky runs with Bev for a while. Liesl goes ahead. I just have fun chatting to people and running at my own pace. I meet up with Dawn Black (Errol Black’s daughter) who is now also an Achillean. I run for a while with Warren Collier who is suffering with an injured calf muscle. We get to the 10k to go in just over one hour. I am aware that if you want to run under two hours for this event you should have completed 11kays in under an hour. Nicky is running well but struggling as we pass the 7kays to go mark. I think that she measures her slowest kay to be 15th or 16th km out. We catch Liesl who is tired and walking through a watering station. I urge her to stay with us. Nicky continues to run with almost no walking.

With about 3km to go Nicky begins to tire noticeably. It is here that she has to force herself to not walk. We see Barbara and Nicky’s children on the side of the road. They are all excited to see their Mom on the run. We hand Nicky’s tracksuit top to them. With just under two kays to go

I chase them off to allow us to focus on the task at hand. It has become uphill and we need to work hard to maintain the pace.  We have been running solidly for two hours and this takes its toll on the legs.
The final uphill to the finish has changed from previous years and there is no loop up and down. It is now a straight up to the finish at the back of the hall. We manage to run the whole way up and into the finish where we wait for Barbara, Ally and children to find us. I go to the car where I collect my clean clothes. I have a really good hot shower to clean some of the sweat off.

We all gather in the big tent where we treat ourselves to cold beverages and jaffels.  And then we take a drive to the Information area and waterfall in the Poort. I forgot to wear a cossie and so we watch others enjoying a cold swim. They tell us that the water is colder than cold. It is a 60meter waterfall that tumbles down into the three pools below.
After this we make our way back to Kleinplaas where we spend the rest of the afternoon resting and relaxing. I take Ally for a driving lesson on the wide grassy area next to the bungalow. This is only her second lesson that I am giving her. Trying to get the clutch and gears coordination going.

This evening I again make a braai of sausage; boerrie Rolls and chicken with little else bar a coleslaw to add to the menu. But it seems sufficient for everyone and we are again in bed early this evening. It has been a beautiful evening as it often is in Oudtshoorn where we are able to sit outside with a cold beverage and have a supper together under the stars.

Sunday morning;
 We clean up and leave around 8am. We take the road back to De Rust; Uniondale and then meet up on the Langkloof. This is, for me, always a real South African Experience as you pass villages and towns with real South African names; Avontuur; Misgund; Louterwater; Krakeel; Harlem; Joubertina and Kareedouw. The road is quiet and we are soon home.

OUR HIKING GROUP FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH. TSITSIKAMMA TRAIL FROM KEURBOS TO HEUNINGBOS

MY GRANDSON; BLAKE, IS TRAINING FOR FUTURE MEIRINGSPOORT EVENTS

WE MAKE OUR WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE GROUP OF RUNNERS. THIS ALLOWS US TO HAVE A FAIRLY FREE START. IF YOU ARE AT THE BACK OF THE RUNNERS YOU FIND YOURSELF BEING BOXED IN WHEN THERE IS A LARGE ENTRY TO A RUN LIKE THIS ONE.

DEAN GOW AND ACHILLEANS -- RODNEY, LESLEY, AUDREY AND GAIL

HARTENBOS GIRLS WANTED THEIR PICTURE TAKEN. NEW FASHION OF BLACK BAGS MAKES THEM QUITE UNIQUE

WAITING AT THE START WITH A CUP OF TEA WITH NICKY; LIESL AND BEV

NICKY IN THE BUS ON OUR WAY TO THE START OF MEIRINGSPOORT

HELEN IS IN THE FRONT OF THE GROUP OF RUNNERS

NICKY HAS TAKEN OFF HER TRACKSUIT TOP AND IS RUNNING WELL

NICKY AND BEV AT ABOUT 7K.

WARREN COLLIER HAS HAD A SERIOUS CALF INJURY AND HAS HAD TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH HIS PACE THIS MORNING

BACK IN CAPE TOWN -- BLAKE IS STARTING TO TRAIN FOR IRON MAN

CATHY AND SAUL'S FRONT YARD WITH THE NEW SWIMMING POOL

THE JOY OF BEING ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS MAGNIFICENT EVENT.

HARTENBOS GIRL ON THE RUN

ONE OF THE CROSSINGS OF THE RIVER. WE CROSS THE RIVER 21TIMES FROM THE START OF THE EVENT TO THE END.

PAT AND ELMARIE. BOTH HAD GOOD RUNS THIS MORNING

AFTER THE RUN THE MPRG GROUP OF FRIENDS 

JACQUI IS IN ISRAEL AND HAS DEVELOPED THIS AMAZING TALENT

NICKY HAS MOVED INTO A COTTAGE ON A FARM. BRAAING ON A SUNDAY

HAPPY TO BE FINISHED THE EVENT AT DERUST KERKSAAL

PAT AND HER GROUP AT THE START OF MEIRINGSPOORT

WE START TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE MORNING SUN AS WE EXIT THE POORT. BUT THEN WE IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO WARM UP. WE HAVE HAD THE BREEZE BEHIND US FOR THE WHOLE RUN AND HAVE HAD A HUGE ADVANTAGE WITH THE BREEZE AND THE SLIGHT DOWN HILL. 

 ALLY HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE A PREFECT IN 2015 AND WAS INDUCTED AT AN IMPORTANT CEREMONY AT SCHOOL\

AFTER THE RUN WE VISIT THE WATERFALL AND INFORMATION CENTER

NICKY IS LOOKING QUITE CHIRPY AT THIS EARLY STAGE OF THE EVENT\

ALLY RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE WHICH GIVES HER SOME OF THE \"CODE OF CONDUCT" EXPECTATIONS OF A PREFECT

\NICKY IS QUITE DISTINCT AND BRIGHT IN THIS SHIRT.\

LATER IN THE EVENING ALLY SITS WITH NICKY'S FOUR CHILDREN AND WATCHES A VIDEO. MIA IS ASLEEP; CHRISTIAN IS TURNING 12 SHORTLY; AARON AND ZARA WATCH INTENTLY

 THE MATRIC PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT PEARSON\

MEIRINGSPOORT BRINGS A COLOURFUL GROUP OF RUNNERS TOGETHER.

THE SUN ON THE ROCKS MAKES THE ROUTE VERY UNIQUE AND SPECIAL

EACH 2015 PREFECT IS CALLED UP ONE BY ONE AND GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. \

SUN ON THE ROCKS AS WE EMERGE FROM THE POORT FOR THE LAST 5 KAYS

 AFTER THE RUN, A VISIT TO THE WATERFALL COMPLETES THE EVENT.

CROSSING THE STREAM 21 TIMES DURING THE RUN

 A SWIM AT THE INFORMATION CENTER. THIS WATER IS NOT JUST COLD -- IT IS ICY; FREEZING COLD. BUT WELL WORTH THE PAIN.

SOMEHOW CHILDREN SEEM TO BEAR THE COLD FOR THE FUN OF A DIP IN THE POOL.

 RUNNING MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON IS A COLOURFUL AFFAIR

IT APPEARS AS IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN STRAIGHT INTO THE ROCKS

NICKY IS JUST AHEAD OF ME WITH ABOUT 10K TO GO

 CHRISTIAN ENJOYING THE 60M WATERFALL

QUITE SPECTACULAR. MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT IS ON THE TOP OF THE CLIFF FACE? WHERE DOES THIS CONTINUOUS STREAM OF WATER COME FROM?

TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL WITH WALMER METHODIST CONFIRMATION GROUP

SWIMMING IN THE LOTTERING RIVER ON DAY ONE

 JUSTIN IN COLD WATER -- FIRST STOP ON THE ROAD TO KEURBOS HUT

 THIS IS THE HIKING GROUP. JUSTIN AND HIS CONFIRMANDS AND A COUPLE OF DADS

 KEURBOS HUT -- BOMA AREA AND FIRE ON THE GO

 BOYS AT KEURBOS HUT

 THE HUT SOON BECOMES QUITE CHILLY AS THE SHADE FALLS OVER THE AREA

 STARTING THE FIRE FOR OUR EVENING BRAAI. RELAX WITH A COUPLE OF BEVERAGES FIRST THOUGH

 MUCH TO THE SHAME OF KEITH'S SON -- KEITH IN UNDERPANTS

KEURBOS HUT

 DAY TWO. ROB; JASON AND I BRING UP THE REAR GUARD. CROSSING THE BRIDGE OVER THE LOTTERING RIVER

 CROSSING THE STREAM ON DAY TWO

 AFTER THE FIRST WATER BREAK ROB; JASON AND PETER FOLLOW THE MAIN GROUP

 ROB CROSSES THE STREAM JUST BEFORE A LONG CLIMB UP THE FIRST VALLEY

 THE HEUNING BOS HUT IS STILL A VERY LONG WAY OFF.

STREAMS WHERE WE CONTINUALLY FILL OUR WATER BOTTLES


TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL WITH WALMER METHODIST CONFIRMATION GROUP
OCTOBER 2014
KEURBOS AND HEUNINGBOS HUTS

The planning of this hike started when John and I were on the Alexandria trail and we spoke about his hike that he had done with his confirmation group.
We approached Justin Wools who was Bradleys Leader and he agreed to arrange the hike.

We made the booking and obtained commitment from both the boys and the dads who would be coming with us.
On the hike:
Justin
John and Bradley Nelson
Keith and Steven Vosloo
Kevin and Jordan McMaan
Rob and Jason Ermes
Gary, Joshua and Matthew Strydom
Kei Hodgkinson
Malusi
Jonathan Cherrington
and myself
Graham Richards was booked to come on the hike but had to pull out at the last minute due to work pressures.

Friday 3rd October 2014
We had obtained permission from the school for the boys to be off for the morning. It was the last day of term. The dads had arranged a day off from work.

I had been for my morning beach run and John had also run this morning (16k) with his group.

I dropped Ally off at school -- she had one more exam to write -- Maths which I later heard was a really tough test which she was not able to finish.
I then collected John and Brad and we all met at the church and left at about 9.30.
We had a collective stop at the Storms river shops where a last bit of snacks and provisions were bought.
From there we drove to the Forest station near to Coldstream on the old N2 which takes you to the Blaukrans Pass which has been closed for many years.

Rob did the signing in while Keith and I took my car to Standers Transport depot. I had met Riaan Stander earlier in the week and asked him if we could park a car there while hiking and he was quite happy with the arrangement.

Back at the forest station we were able to start our walk at around 12.30. today's walk would be entirely on a forest road. After about an hour we reached the Lottering River where we had our first swim and a bit of a snack. I did not know it but Rob was already suffering with blisters on both feet. From this point it is 7k to the hut. The following 5k was uphill. A long and slow grind to the top with many "false tops" to the walk. I had dropped my cup at one of the stops up the hill.

At the top of the hill Rob took his boots off and put some elastoplast over the blisters which he would leave there for the rest of the hike. We made our way slowly down to the Keurbos Hut where the rest of the group were waiting. We allocated ourselves bunk beds and unpacked the essentials.
Matthew had brought some throwing knives and the boys tried their hand at stabbing trees. One of the knives was lost in the long grass never to be recovered.

Jason and a group of boys pulled out some playing cards while the rest of us started a fire and began to prepare supper.
There were a variety of menus as prepared variously by the men, the boys and the women of the house. For myself I had brought the same menu for the two nights: some Filet steak; Onions; A vegetable pack in tin foil and a precooked potato. This all went onto the fire and made a simply delicious supper. I had two beers for each evening and so by 8pm I could hardly keep my eyes open and fell asleep the instant my head hit the pillow.

Saturday morning 4.10.2014
It was a beautiful morning with the sun coming up over the mountains just in time to warm us up as we prepared a fire and coffee. I had brought two packets of instant oats; some fruit; coffee and a few crunchies for each morning breakfast. After this filling morning meal I was ready to take on the 14k of trail ahead. Rob and I brought up the rear of the group.

Today the First section is down to the stream and then up to the far side of this magnificent valley. We were able to look back and enjoy the splendor of this country. We could see where the Baboons were taking advantage of the Protea. I understand that they strip the flower to find the bugs and beetles which feed on the nectar of the flower and it is this that they enjoy. We also see that they enjoy the Nuts found in the Pine cones.

Once over the first neck and into the second valley there is a long and arduous descent to the river where the rest of the group were waiting for us. Rob was battling with the Blisters and in a lot of pain. After a short break we pressed on along the river bed. Jason joined us for the second half of the day's walk. From the river stop we crossed the bridge and then climbed up and into the forest area. This led to the jeep track where we turned right and then immediately left back into the Heuningbos forest.

From the river stop it had been reasonably easy going but once we started to follow the river bed in the indigenous forest we found the going really difficult. The trail has not been well maintained and there are many short sharp ascents and descents. Later talking to the rest of the group we found that we were not the only ones who had battled over this section. Rob and I were drenched in sweat in the windless jungle like forest.

Finally the trail took us to the neck of the mountains and from here we could see the Heuningbos huts. But it would still be a long pull to the huts. We could see that the rest of the group were already unpacked and enjoying the rest. We still had a steep and long down hill to negotiate before reaching the stream and then still had two more ups and downs to climb before finally reaching the huts at about 4pm that afternoon.

For us it had been a long hike and we were grateful to be able to shower and recover some of our good humour.

After a bit of a rest we put the fire on for afternoon tea. The boys pulled out the cards and played games of Sevens and of "Bull". Sevens is a game where all the cards are dealt. The player with the 7of diamonds starts. One card at a time is played face up and you must play or pass. You may only play the higher or lower of the series or if you have a seven you can play that card which opens the next suite. The idea is to rid yourself of the last card.

Bull is played with the card face down. You announce the card you are playing and the person after you has to play the upper card; the lower card or the same card. For example-- I play a 10 then the next player must play Jack; Nine or 10. He announces the card he has played (Jokers are in the deck and are wild cards). You may also play 2 or more of the same card so if there are two Jokers it is possible for you to play 6 of a number. As the cards are played face down you are not sure if the player is being honest. If you think that he is playing an "illegal" card you can call the word "Bull" at which time you check the validity of his call. If the call was valid then the accuser takes the pack. If the call was invalid then the player takes the pack. The object of this game is to clear your hand.

Our braai was again most successful that evening. The temperature drops as soon as the sun sets so jackets and warm clothing is essential. Kevin dishes out his excess tins of beans and relish. John hands out chocolate to the group of boys. Keith and Steven have a meal of Meat, meat and little else.

It is not that easy to sleep with sore muscles, a makeshift pillow, a narrow bunk bed and a noisy room. But we manage to have sufficient sleep to wake up; make our breakfast and pack up for the walk back to where we have parked the cars. This morning is an easy walk of about 6km and just over an hour along a forest road. I enjoy a chat with Steven who has his career planned out as an Gunsmith. He tells me that he is a "crack shot" with a rifle and a pellet gun. He plans to train as a Gunsmith in the US and in the long term open his own business.

We are all happy to have enjoyed a few days out with good company; magnificent weather; amazing mountain climbs and scrumptious meals. After a short stop at the Storms River Village we all head off home to wash the clothes and bags of the smokey smells and ourselves of the accumulated sweat and grime of the trail.

BOYS PREPARED AND SET FOR THE FINAL STRETCH

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL GROUP OF BOYS WHO BANTERED AND TEASED BUT EACH HAD THEIR OWN DIGNITY AND RESPECT

 JUSTIN' BRADLEY; MATTHEW; JORDAN AND KEVIN AROUND THE FIRE

 JASON READY WITH TONGS WHILE MALUSI WARMS HIS HANDS AS A MATTER OF HABIT

 KEVIN LEADS THE GROUP FROM HEUNINGBOS WITH THE MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN RANGE IN THE BACKGROUND.

MY GRANDSON; BLAKE SILBERSTEIN, IN CAPE TOWN IS STARTING TO TRAIN FOR HIKING

JOHN IS DEEP IN THOUGHT AS HE DECIDES TO \\\\\\\BULL OR NOT TO BULL

ROB CROSSING THE LOTTERING RIVER ON DAY TWO. ROB HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH BLISTERS AND EACH STEP WAS PAIN

KEURBOS HUT

LOTTERING RIVER STOP NUMBER ONE. EVERYONE WAS, AT THIS STAGE, HAPPY TO SWIM AND RELAX.

JOHN WEARS THE HOGSBACK T-SHIRT. HE AND I WILL TAKE PART IN THIS EVENT AGAIN THIS YEAR EXCEPT THAT \I WILL TAKE THE SHORTER OPTION

A BEAUTIFUL STOPPING AREA AND WAS GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE THE VERY LONG CLIMB OF ABOUT 6KM ON THE FOREST ROAD LEADING TO KEURBOS HUT.

HEUNING BOS HUT BOMA. PETER RELAXING BEFORE THE FINAL SHORT WALK OUT OF THE HIKE

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT HIKE WITH SOME REALLY FUN PEOPLE. WE ARE ABOUT TO START WALKING BACK TO THE N2 WHERE WE WILL COLLECT OUR CARS

EARLY MORNING BEFORE STARTING THE MORNING HIKE

OUR EVENINGS WERE SPENT IN THE BRAAI LAPA

 THE HEUNINGBOS HUT OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY AND A TRIBUTARY OF THE LOTTERING RIVER.  THE HUT CONSISTS OF TWO ROOMS WITH TRIPLE BUNKS. EACH ROOM SLEEPING A POSSIBLE 18 BODIES. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT OVER CROWDED AND HAD PLACE FOR OUR BEDS AND KIT

 HEUNINGBOS HUT

ON THE JEEP TRACK BACK TO THE CARS AT RIAAN STANDERS TRANSPORT COMPANY ON THE N2

 RELAXING IN THE SHADE ON THE WAY UP TO THE KEURBOS HUT

 CARD PLAYING BOYS AT HEUNING BOS HUT.

 ON THE COLDSTREAM ROAD IF YOU SEE THIS SIGN YOU ARE AT THE TURN OFF TO THE FOREST STATION

 THIS IS WHERE YOU TURN OFF TO THE START OF THE DAY'S WALK

FRIDAY MORNING RUNNING GROUP BEFORE WE SET OFF ON OUR HIKING TRAIL.

 TURN OFF FROM THE N2 TO COLDSTREAM AND THE START OF OUR HIKE

 LOVELY COOLING OFF SWIM IN THE LOTTERING RIVER