Dryland Traverse Trail run four day stage trail run De Hoek Oudtshoorn Swartberg Mountain

JUMPING FOR JOY TO FINISH THE DRYLAND TRAVERSE FOUR DAY STAGE RUN


THIS IS OUR TEAM FOR THE DRYLAND TRAVERSE TRAIL RUN

Dryland Traverse trail run


DRYLAND TRAVERSE
80KAY TRAIL RUN FROM DE HOEK CARAVAN PARK NEAR TO THE KANGO CAVES IN OUDTSHOORN.
The event started on Thursday morning 3/11/2011.
Who I got to know on this trail:

Robyn Steyn & Almarie Janse van Rensburg
Garreth Jacobson (Achilles) and Paul Johnson
Dallas and Jane Barnardo
Georgie and Chris Darke (Achilles)
Heather (Discom and now moving somewhere else?)

Ad Cole from George.
Sanet who announced that Bernard would have to take care of her at the back.
Angie and Christie from Pretoria.
Roy from Hartebeespoort
Michael from Pretoria & Stuart from Uganda
Pieter the biker from Mount Pleasant
Pieter from Worster
Mia and Wilhelmien -- Pink Feather team from Oudtshoorn
Carel the organiser without a microphone
Carel with the Microphone
Heinrich (Support) and Bianca (Photographer)
Henko the organiser
Mark (and his son) the videographer (Big Shot)
Bernard the course designer and Marzanne the refreshment station lady.
Afrika, Desmond, Deon the flag men.
John and Peter friends from Summerstrand Nippers

DRYLAND TRAVERSE; DAY ONE; TRAVEL AND PROLOGUE THROUGH AND OVER THE CANGO CAVES

I was up early and met the MPRG for a short walk run. This was necessary for me as I had been out of town the previous few days and was a little tense. I then completed packing the trailer. John and Dianne arrived and we put his stuff in the trailer as well. I dropped Ally off at school and then shortly after that Martin and Almarie & Andre and Robyn arrived.

We did the final packing and set off from PE at around 08.30am. We decided to take the Langkloof road. We were travelling at an easy pace and we were soon in Joubertina. Here we stopped for a tea and eats. We pressed on and took the Uniondale Poort through to DeRust where we had a second stop for lunch. We found a little restaurant with an incredible back area. It was an open air area where the owner had stretched Hessian and all kinds of trinkets as decoration. It was a fun stop before the last section to Oudtshoorn.


RELAXED ON OUR WAY TO OUDTSHOORN. STOPPING AND EATING MADE THIS TRIP A SIX HOUR DRIVE.

We passed through Oudtshoorn and on towards the Kango Caves. I was using the TomTom GPS and the machine took us on a wrong turn. We were in a bit of a panic for a short while before we were able to ask for directions from a road worker. We took the Swartberg Pass turnoff and found De Hoek shortly afterwards. We registered with Carel (1).




JOHN RELAXING AT OUR TENT


TENT CAMP WAS ON THE RISE JUST ABOVE WHERE JOHN AND I HAD FOUND A SPOT IN THE SHADE NEXT TO RIAN AND TIA

It was now around 3pm and we still had to set up the tent and our stretchers. Robyn and Almarie found tents and used our allocated tents for their luggage. John and I were soon set up for our evening. We put on our running stuff and climbed into a landrover with two Swiss people: Roger and Nicole. At the caves we wandered around for a while until 5pm when we were called for a race briefing.



PETER AND JOHN HAVING FUN AT CANGO CAVES


ROGER AND NICOLE. THE SWISS TEAM. THEY HAD FOUND THIS EVENT BY CHANCE AND LUCK. ROGER IS A MARATHON ORGANISER IN ZURICH. THEIR EVENT IS ON 1ST DAY OF THE YEAR STARTING AT MIDNIGHT. EACH RUNNER STARTS OFF WITH A PERSONAL BEST FOR THE YEAR. A VERY SPECIAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN SWITZERLAND. BOTH ARE TALENTED ATHLETES.


ROBYN AND ALMARIE; NEVER ONCE DID THEY STOP LAUGHING AND SMILING AND CHATTING.


We went into an auditorium where we were introduced to the Organising Team: Bernard is the man who set out the route. He gave us Fly Over of the route. SCARY STUFF! He showed us where we would be running tomorrow. Mega Hills and climbing. Carel (2) is the “man with the Microphone” for the duration of the event.



PETER AND JOHN ENJOYING A MOMENT OF LIMELIGHT WITH MENEER DIE BURGERMEESTER OF OUDTSHOORN BEFORE THE START OF THE CANGO SECTION.


WE ARE ABOUT TO START THE CANGO SECTION OF THE PROLOGUE


CHRIS AND GEORGIE WERE ALWAYS HAPPY AND SMILING


GARRETH AND PAUL ABOUT TO TAKE ON 85KAYS OF TRAIL RUNNING


ALMARIE AND ROBYN JUST BEFORE THE START OF THE PROLOGUE AT CANGO CAVES


CANGO CAVE SECTION WAS AROUND A KAY INSIDE THE CAVES. VERY EXCITING AND A FIRST FOR US RUNNERS.

Hein Gassner is the man who allowed the run to take place in the Caves. I was feeling quite sleepy and longed for the event to start. Finally it was 6pm. The first team went off. John and I left at 3 minutes past 6. At that time the Burgermeester arrived. And was about to cut the tape as we were leaving so we may have our Pictures in the Local Paper.

Off we went; running into the building and up two ramps and into the No Entrance section of the cave. We ran around the caves in the dark with our headlamps on and a kind of shiny thing which was on the back of the pack. It was like running in a Maze. Back and forth. I had no idea where we were. There were lots of marshals and photographers in the caves.

We had met Heinrich earlier and he told us to watch out for Bianca (his wife and photographer). It seems that Heinrich had thought this thing of running through the caves over a year ago when the company he works for had a function in the area.
We exited the caves and headed down towards the trail.

We could see Robyn and Almarie up on the pla

PROLOGUE DAY. JOHN STAYED WITH ME TODAY AS WE ENJOYED SEEING THE FAST RUNNERS CHARGING PAST US.



JOHN NEVER HAD IT SO EASY AS WE STOPPED TO TAKE PICS
tform where they were still waiting for their start time. Each pair of athletes started a minute apart. There were around 30 pairs. We did a lot of walking and were soon passed by the “Running Snakes”. Pair after pair passed us. This evening we did quite a bit of walking. We did not have our headlamps on as it was still light enough for us to run easily.

We passed the top of the hill. At this stage we had the sense that we had run into the caves and were now running over the caves. We passed the labourer homes. The children greeted us and the dogs barked at us. Down to the tar road and then we passed under the main entrance gate to De Hoek and into the campsite.



ENTRANCE TO DE HOEK. WE HAD TO RUN THROUGH THIS THREE TIMES OVER THE FOUR DAYS


BUCHU. THIS CAN BE ADDED TO BRANDY FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES. AND IS USED FOR RENAL PROBLEMS. FOUND MAINLY IN THE MOUNTAINS OF THE WESTERN CAPE.
I later found out that this is NOT Buchu at all. This is Blombos. 




We had a quick shower and settled down for an evening snack and beer. Carel the Microphone man was on the stage telling stories and jokes. It was a festive atmosphere and lots of laughs before supper time. It was a full on supper with salad, beef Stroganov, rice and vegetables. A huge piled up plate. And everyone polished their plates off. But after that I was ready for a sleep. It had been a long day and I was exhausted. Climbed into the tent and lay on the stretcher and fell asleep in minutes.


I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHY I AM SO HAPPY

I woke up once in the night dreaming of how slow our evening run would affect our starting time this morning. But then forced my face back into the pillow. I was wearing my eyepads and found that I was able to sleep well. I was apprehensive of the days event and played the Fly Over in my mind over and over. Finally it was time to get up. John fetched us coffee and that helped me to work my way in to the day.

DRYLAND TRAVERSE; DAY TWO AND STAGE ONE. FRIDAY. TODAY IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST DAYS WITH A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB AND THEN ICY COLD WINDS BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO BOTHA'S HOEK -- UP OVER THE NECK AND THEN 7KAYS DOWN A TWISTY ROCKY ROAD TO THE FINISH BACK AT THE CAMP.


MORNING OF DAY TWO AT THE START; FESTIVE LOOKING AREA. IT WAS COLD BUT BEARABLE EACH MORNING.


JANE AND DALLAS AT THE TENT CAMP BEFORE STARTING DAY TWO


The race started from the camp site at 8am. Bernard had said that he had walked the route in 5hours. I reckoned it would take me two and a half hours to get to the first watering station. I was out of breath as we climbed and climbed. John, Robyn and Almarie went off ahead. I could see that John was going to have a good day. I ran with Michael and Roy for a while.



BERNARDS ORANGE STICKERS ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT GET LOST

Michael went ahead. Roy was just behind us. I passed the two ladies from Oudtshoorn with pink feathers in their hair; Mia and Wilhelmien. Then I received a call from Cape Town (Salvage stuff) and spoke to Steve and Michael for them to call him and give him feedback on what is happening. I spoke to Barbara and gave her an update.



PETER; DAY TWO UP ON THE MOUNTAIN SECTION

I called Rowena to ask her to check with the Oudtshoorn staff that they look out for the local paper for pics of us with the Burgermeester. It took me two hours and twenty minutes. The chap there told me that John was ahead with Almarie and Robyn. John told me later that he had run up with Garreth and Paul and a small group of chaps. He had then waited for me for over 20 minutes.

I pressed on and was now able to jog occasionally. I saw some of the group way up ahead of me across the valley. From here I really enjoyed myself. I stopped and took photo’s of the protea, everlasting and Buchu. The views were amazing. Hundreds of kays of mountains and rockfaces across to the west. Every now and then a cold wind would bite but the warm sun would be a relief. I was having fun.


BAINCA AND HEINRICH I WAS SO PLEASED TO SEE THEM ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP. NEVER SPOKE MORE THAN A FEW WORDS BUT I FELT THAT I GOT TO KNOW THEM.


I was under no pressure to catch anyone. This was an old hand made road with rocks that had been placed one at a time by hand. This section was to be the easiest of the day. I did more jogging as there was even one area with concrete strips. I heard some screams and looked up to see John, Almarie and Robyn way up on the mountain ahead of me. We did some long distance communication and waving and then I jogged (Just to impress them) on to checkpoint two.

At the watering point I skived a couple of Energy Gu’s and fudge after my Potato and coke. Then up the one and a half kay hill. It was tough but not too bad. From the checkpoint it was 8.4kays. and every kay thereafter we would have an update of how many kays to go. I was still on my own. At one point as I was climbing I could hear distant voices. It was the two Oudtshoorn (Feather) ladies chatting to each other way down there in the valley. Amazing how voices carry in the mountains!


MOUNTAINS AND A LONG WAY TO GO TO THE CAMP



ON THE FIRST STAGE THE BLUE SIGNS WERE TOUGH TO HANDLE

I reached the top (the neck of the mountain) and from here could see way down to the campsite where I would be finishing in some time this afternoon. It was about 7kays away. I was still totally on my own. I had seen Roy way behind me and there were some people ahead of me but I thought that they would be far ahead.

As I descended I could hear a voice (Swearing and shouting at nothing). It turned out to be Ad Cole who I spend the rest of the run with. She was having a bad afternoon and was not enjoying the stones and rocks on the route. And it was still a long way to go. And we could see the camp at the bottom. So I stayed with Ad and found out that we had a lot in common.




AD COLE AFTER A WOBBLY IS NOW SMILING


AD COLE AND JOHN AFTER HE CAME TO FETCH US


AD COLE, ROY AND PETER

AD Cole as she became know, is a CA as is Robyn and has a business in Plett and George. She knows Laurel Giddy and Giles Butlin. We were able to make the Kays fall away. We came around a bend; And there was John. He had run to the finish and then come up to fetch us.



OUR FAVOURITES: ANGIE AND CHRISTIE FROM PRETORIA


It was 1.4kays to go. Roy joined us. And we then kind of walked and Jogged to the finish. I think that the day had been around 27kays and we had been out there for around 6 and a half hours.



AD COLE AND PETER COMPLETE DAY TWO. IT HAD BEEN A TOUGH DAY IN THE MOUNTAIN AND AN EVEN TOUGHER FINISH DOWN THE ROCKY AND STONEY PATH TO THE FINISH

A shower, clean clothes and lots of juice, coffee and pasta helped revive us. I kind of hung around the communal tent. This was where the action was and where we could welcome any people who were still arriving from their outing. Finally, after a few attempts, we greeted Angie who would be the last finisher every day thereafter.



CAREL DANCING TO HIS OWN VERSION OF "PROUD MARY" ROLLING! ROLLING! ROLLING ON THE RIVER. AND "EVERYONE IS SHUFFELING". YESTERDAY IT WAS: "CAREL IS SUFFERING"
TODAY WE ARE BACK TO WHOA WA; WHOA WA; WHOA! YOU ARE MY BESTES FRIEND AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFFSES. CAREL IS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE. AND JUST IN CASE YOU DID NOT KNOW: HE WON SA FEAR FACTOR!



GENERAL CLASSIFICATION; ALMARIE AND ROBYN WERE THIRD


ALMARIE AND ROBYN SHARE A JOKE -- AMAZING BUT THEY SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS NON STOP THROUGHOUT EACH DAY OF RUNNING.

This evening I was careful to only have one beer, but compensated with a huge pile of supper including the Malva pudding and custard. I was totally stuffed when I climbed in to our tent.

This evening I tossed and turned a bit. I had some sore limbs and cramped up a few times. But I forced myself to sleep and to stay in bed as long as I was able. I am an early riser and will often be the first to start wandering around.

DRYLAND TRAVERSE; DAY THREE AND STAGE TWO ON THE SWARBERG MOUNTAIN PASS.
RIAN WAS THE BIRTHDAY BOY TODAY


It is light at 05.00am and I have a wash and start to ready myself for the day. AD Cole has a funeral to attend. And has to leave early. this morning we are going to ride in busses to the start of the event.



RUNNERS DO CRAZY STUFF

I suppose that I am a bit Doff but I had no idea that we would be running on the famous Swartberg pass. Barbara and I have been here on two occasions before. Once we were doing some exploring and drove over the pass. The other time we were on our way, together with a group from our church, to the Orange River to go canoeing from the Namibia side. And we had spent the day driving through the Baviaans Kloof before driving down to Die Hell (Gamkaskloof). For me it would be a huge honour to be able to run this road. On our way up to the top of the pass (Die Top) I was treated to a history lesson. I sat in front with the driver (Stupidly I forgot to ask him his name) and he told me of the history of this pass.


I had arranged to meet up with A.D. Cole as she had a funeral to attend in Calitzdorp at 2pm. I had caught the sun yesterday. My neck was sunburned so I stuck my shirt in the cap and used this as protection for today’s stage. Probably looked a little strange.

We climbed into busses that took us up the Swartberg pass. The driver of our bus gave me a history lesson. I sat in the front seat and he told me about the pass: the original contract had been given on a road builder who collapsed after a year and the contract was then given to Thomas Baines who was busy with the Prince Alfred pass and so work stood still for 18months.

He walked the mountain three times before setting out a route for the pass. He had 180 convicts working for him including a lawyer. The hard Labourers were chained together. They had to do the hardest work. The rocks were heated up and then cold water poured over them to crack the rocks. They were then worked to make suitable sizes for the road building. Two people died during the 8years of construction but not on the job. There was a snow storm and the roof collapsed killing two people.

The amazing fact is that this road was made with no concrete or cement. And that it has stood the test of time.

We reached the top of the pass and drove down a short while to “Die Ou Toll” this was the old Toll road house which is now a restaurant. We passed the turnoff to Botha’s Hoek where we had passed through yesterday. The day would start at Die Ou Toll. A.D. Cole and I started at 7.45; 15 minutes before the main group. We ran (downhill) along the road for 4kays and then turned up into the mountain trail.

At this stage the “racing snakes” started to come past us. We had to stand aside as they came running past. This was a really good section; places where we could run and others where we had to climb and walk. I enjoyed being in the front so that I could see the pace at which the front runners move. I am so used to walking whenever I feel even the slightest bit tired that it seems impossible that men and women can move so fast over these rocky trails.

We crossed the road that leads to Die Hel (Gamkaskloof). Here Garreth and Paul passed me. AD had gone ahead. I never saw AD Cole again until this evening. She must have had a stunning run down the pass. I met up with Willem the accountant who is from Cradock but has moved to Cape Town for work. He tells me that he studied in Bloemfontein. He had a sore knee and had to bail a short while after this. I reached the first watering point. Here was a sign saying it was 24kays to De Hoek.

Shortly thereafter I could hear Almarie and Robyn talking behind me. I looked back to see that they were at the bottom of the hill but their voices carried up to where I was climbing. I saw John a little ahead of them and called out to him. We met up just as we reached “Die Top”.

The four of us ran together for a while then I was a little too slow and was left behind again. We met a few times on the road down. I was taking pictures and having a little trouble with a calf muscle so was a bit slower. We passed the various points of interest: Skelmdraai; fontein; Die Stalletjie; the old hotel; and the sharp turn where the date 1886 has been written on a rockface.

Finally, 6kays after the top of the mountain pass, we turned left into a farm road. Here Marzanne and Bianca were on duty serving us all kinds of goodies. The group had waited for me; we ran down the farm road together for a while. They all went ahead and I pressed on with 10kays to go I would walk and run alternatively as I felt good or tired.
Lots of children asking for sweets.

Almarie dug into my pack and found some goodies for a small group of children. Then they put on the pace and I decided to go at my own comfortable pace rather than try to keep up with them. I reached the tar road.

Now it was just 5kays to go. I was drinking as much water as I could but feeling a little nauseous so tried a Super Gu which probably helped me to reach the finish. As I turned into the De Hoek road, Desmond the marshal showed me the way. From here it was a case of run and walk as fast as I was able. There was a little pile of stones in the road which I cleared off before completing the last section under the main entrance and up the final hill. John had brought me a coke and I was able to run into the finish comfortably in around 4:15hours.

And as soon as I had showered and had a lunch of Pasta and lots of juice I started to feel strong again. John, Almarie and Robyn had a swim. I did not have the energy to walk to the pool.



BERNARD AND AD COLE ON THE SECOND STAGE WHEN WE LEFT EARLY




PLATBERG CIRCLE ROUTE


THIS SECTION OF WALL HAS A DATED STONE 1866


JOHN RUNNING DOWN THE SWARTBERG PASS


JOHN ENJOYING THE DOWNHILL OF THE SWARTBERG PASS



BIANCA THE PHOTOGRAPHER AT DIE TOP OF THE SWARTBERG PASS



AFTER 4 KAYS WE TURNED OFF THE PASS UP INTO THE CIRCULAR ROUTE THAT LED US BACK TO DIE TOLL


DE HOEK 20KAYS TO GO AT FIRST WATERING STATION STAGE 2



DIE TOP OF THE SWARTBERG PASS


DIE STALLETJIE SIGN


IF YOU LOOK HARD INTO THE BUSH BEHIND THE SIGN THERE YOU FIND THE STALLETJIE RUINS


DESMOND SHOWS US THE WAY TO DE HOEK AT THE END OF STAGE TWO



JOHN LOOKS LIKE HE IS BATTLING DOWN THE SWARTBERG PASS


GARRETH AND PAUL ON THE GAMKASKLOOF ROAD TO DIE HELL


FONTEINTJIE


FIRST REFRESHMENT STATION STAGE 2


EVERLASTINGS ON STAGE TWO



SKELMDRAAI; SHARP TURN THAT WOULD BE OUT OF SIGHT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT




WILLEM HAS A SORE KNEE


THE OLD HOTEL


ROBYN AND ALMARIE SHOWING OFF MATCHING OUTFITS


PLATBERG CIRCLE ROUTE




ALMARIE GIVES SWEETS FROM MY BACK PACK TO CHILDREN ON OUR WAY DOWN THE SWARTBERG PASS




ALMARIE AND ROBYN HAVING FUN ON THE PODIUM. YOU GIRLS MADE US PE - ITES PROUD


OLIVER; WILLIE; JOHN AND HEATHER AFTER THE SWARTBERG SECTION



SHARK FOR RIAN'S BIRTHDAY


DRYLAND TRAVERSE DAY FOUR AND STAGE THREE. SUNDAY MORNING.
BIRTHDAY BOYS WERE BERNARD AND WILLEM TODAY


This was due to be a 18kay run. Bernard explained that there had been some kind of hitch and a farmer had made a special plan and cleared a trail for us. I was not sure what exactly had happened but as I had no preconception of what to expect I also did not mind a longer run. I am happy to arrive at the start and just take part. I know that I will never win so if I am going to take part then I may as well make the most of the event.

I was not feeling at my best. I had a restless night with twitching and cramping. Muscles were tired and sore. And my tummy was uneasy. I thought that a good breakfast would sort me out but I was not able to eat much (by Dryland standards that is).

This morning I met up with our bus driver again. I am sorry that I forgot to ask his name again today. He is an interesting man who has a special tea that he drinks from a spoon / straw and he carries his flask with him. He has a lot of local knowledge and offered to try to find out the history of the Botha's Hoek road that we ran on the big mountain stage day. Yesterday as he drove us out to Die Ou Tol on the pass I had seen the turnoff to Botha's Hoek. The home there belongs to Cape Nature and could probably be hired out to hikers.

We were driven out of the camp back in the direction of Oudtshoorn to the Kobus Raubenheimer Dam. I am almost ashamed to say that this was the second time we were visiting this dam. On Thursday we had taken a wrong turn and ended up here. Now we were back to start the run.


THE FINAL DAY STARTED AT THE KOBUS RAUBENHEIMER DAM

It was a magnificent morning. The sun was gimmering on the water. There was a vibe and excitement amoungst the runners. The colour and contrasting brown of the veld made for an interesting picture this morning. And we had all made friends of our fellow runners. There was a nervous chatter as we looked across the dam wall where we would be running shortly. Carel had some music playing, Bianca was taking photo's, Henko was being Henko.

Three, Two, One -- Go. Off the sprinters went. I was on the ridge at the back and enjoying seeing the runners sprint off. Then the rest of us made our way across the dam and onto the other side. This morning was not going to be a good day for AD Cole. At the back were Angie, Sanet, Christie, AD Cole, Roy and myself. At one time it was only Angie behind AD and myself. Up and down the first two of four hills we plodded. Past what I think was probably Die Kombuis. Past a number of smaller dams. Past some wavy looking wheat fields. Wheat, when it is green, has a wonderful way of shimmering and waving in the breeze.


MICHAEL FROM PRETORIA AND STUART FROM UGANDA. HE HAD COME ALL THE WAY JUST FOR THIS EVENT

Finally we reached the first refreshment station. At this stage Roy and I were jogging along together. Somehow AD was a little behind us with Sanet and Christie continuing their friendly bantering a little way off. I had a plastic packet in my backpack and so scooped some fudge and Koeksusters into the packet -- not so much for now -- but more for later. Everyone loved the fudge and Koeksusters.


AD COLE BATTLED ON THE LAST DAY WITH CHRISTIE AND SANET.

I had an ice cold coke and then headed off. I felt a litte odd leaving Roy and AD but was feeling perky now and so decided to make the best of the last of my energy. I soon caught up with Michael and Stuart. Chatted with them for a short while and then past the last of the dams for today. From here the terrain became a little tougher. We were in a kind of heat basin. Real karoo veld.

It was rocky and thorny. Little lizzards scuttled across the path. Up to the fence. Now I am no good at bending down, so I had to almost do the leopard crawl to make my way through the bottom of the fence (Nasty bit this Bernard!). I was drinking a lot now. The heat may have been getting to me a bit. But as soon as we crested the next hill things changed.



COWS LAZING IN THE FIELD ON THIS HOT SUNDAY MORNING AS MICHAEL, STUART AND I JOG PAST.

The route took us along an old river bed. It was slightly easier going and I was able to do some jogging. The breeze cooled the runner down a bit here. Then I met up with Bernard and we chatted for a while as he walked with me up to the Cango Road. Up ahead I could see the Ostrich Feather Ladies -- Mia and Wilhelmien. They stopped for a drink with Afrika and Marzanne. Can you believe the cameraderie -- Wilhelmien walked back to bring me a coke?



MIA AND WILHELMIEN BECAME KNOWN AS THE OSTRICH FEATHER LADIES; THEY SEEMED TO BE MORE COLOURFUL EACH DAY. MIA HAD A TOUGH DAY TODAY BUT FAITHFUL WILHELMIEN STAYED WITH HER TO THE END


MARZANNE AND HER CHEERFUL FLAG WAVING ASSISTANT AFRIKA; AT THE CANGO REFRESHMENT STATION


After a quick chat with Marzanne and Afrika we pressed on. Across and over the Stile and onto the pathway that we had run on Thursday evening after the Cave Run. This morning I was a lot more capable than I had been on Thursday. I was nice and warmed up and was able to do a lot more Jogging. Over the final hill of the day and down to where Desmond was marshalling us back to the De Hoek Camp.


DEON THE FLAG MAN WAVES ME PAST THE LOCAL HOMES WHERE BERNARD'S PROMISE OF DOGS BEING LOCKED AWAY WAS CONFIRMED.


From here I was able to jog most of the way back. Under the huge entrance structure and up the final hill. The Video man was in a vehicle just behind me and I was fooling around as I jogged up the hill. Down the last stretch and across the finish line for the last time this weekend.

Bianca was there so I did a little showing off (Men will be men even at my age!). Robyn and Almarie had arrived home 10 minutes earlier and we all congratulated each other. Carel gave us our medals. I went off for the last shower. I must have used almost a whole bar of soap (hotel give away soaps are my favourite) as I tried to scrub off the dirt and grime of the trail.

John and I packed up the tent and trailer and then we all waited in the main tent for the final awards and lunch. I was so proud to see "our girls" on the podium for the day as well as for GC. In fact we commented that there was a PE Contingent for every category of finisher: Deon for solo Men; Jane for Solo Ladies; Garreth and Paul for men team; Chris and Georgie for Mixed team and finally Almarie and Robyn for ladies team. Well done to PE;

Paul stood up for the PE people to thank the organisers and all their team of "back room boys" for superb event and the assurance that we would all be talking about this for months to come. And that we would be bringing a larger group from PE if the event would be held again next year.

Did I mention the meals? Whoa wa; Whoa Wa; Whoa! The meals were imported directly from some of the smartestests Restaurants in the whole of the Cape. Each time we had something to eat it was more than sufficient and the dishes were really tastey.
This afternoon the Chefs wanted to make a real impression on the runners so they prepared what many of us thought was the bestestss of all meals. Delicious salads and fresh vegetables, pates of all vatieties, simply what every one of us needed at that time. If I am able to go back again to do this event it will be partly because of the meals.

I was sad / happy to be leaving this special group of people. Over four days of running, eating and non stop chatter together we formed a mini family here at De Hoek.

But we had to bid our pals farewell. Our drive home was relaxed. For a while I thought that it may be a case of my passengers dozing off. But as soon as we had collected our thoughts the reminiscing did not stop. You would have thought we would have said everything that there was to be said about the trail and running in general. But no -- we still had four hours of talk in us.

This had been a stunning weekend of activity. We were all happy to be home and to look out for the next adventure. Google is an amazing tool for finding stuff to do. So lets see what is in store for us next!

Monday and Tuesday mornings: I had planned to be out and on the road. Impossible! My toes were fragile and my limbs were still stiff and sore. I had sore toes and could hardly fit into my shoes let alone tackies.




I HAD TO KEEP MY NECK AND FACE SHIELDED FROM THE SUN AFTER FRIDAY WHEN I BECAME SUNBURNED. THE OSTRICH FEATHER WAS TO ADD SOME FUN TO THE EVENT


PAUL AND GARRETH ENJOYING PODIUM STATUS




JANE WINS THE STAGE AND LOOKS CHEERFUL



CHRIS DARKE AND GEORGIE ENJOYING THEIR STATUS AS PODIUM WINNERS


JANE IS ON THE PODIUM AGAIN


COULD IT BE THAT JANE IS CAMERA SHY. OR PERHAPS I AM JUST A LOUSY PHOTOGRAPHER


GEORGIE AND CHRIS MAKE ACHILLES PROUD


GARRETH AND PAUL; CHIP AND A PUTT -- ON THE PODIUM. On the mountain stage I tried to explain to Afrika what exactly the English Term "Chip and a Putt" means. I dont think that my explanations were fully understood but he laughed his toothless laugh politely.






OVERALL WINNERS IN THE MEN'S CATEGORY