GCT Day 3, 8 August, 2022
Day 3 Monday 8 August.
From roadside coffee shop near Winterhoek to Pholela. 19.45 kms/18.65kms
A Long Hike in the Beautiful Berg
2 days in 1. A day of many highlights and a few low lights. Rain predicted on Mon. fell on Sun. night. Yay! But fresh snow was laid on the Lesotho mountains after the storm, so there was a biting wind off the snow. Our sturdy men, Deon, Clive and Robert, packed our big Pep bags on the roof of the Landy. Matthew did two trips again, ours the more adventurous. A bag fell off the roof, dangled in the wind, shrieks emitted from the squeezed together passengers and the disobedient bag was secured.
Sadly we missed the cappuccino lady, but were soon on our way up a steep ascent. Somehow, Amanda did an elegant descent on to her face. The wind was strong and Kate nearly fell off the track. At the tea stop near Crane Tarn, we huddled out of the wind. Our expert photographer and flower lady, Nikki, was again alive with her camera, catching early flowers. Animals seen: a lone juvenile eland and a herd of eland, oribi, rhebok, a live skink, a black scorpion (a Drakensberg creeper) a Cape Vulture and a ground woodpecker.
Erica battled with her tender toes and feet. Christa came to the rescue with her Vivo Bare hiking shoes. In fact at Pholela, Dr Christa held a toe clinic, encasing Amy, Erica’s and my toes with plasters and loving care. Dankie, Tannie Christa.
Lunch stop was across a suspension bridge to the revamped Mzimkhulwana hut, where, surprise, surprise, the men’s toilet sported a mirror. Jess’ paninis were welcome. The day warmed, more burnt grass was traversed but we did appreciate that Ezemvelo is practising burning. We hovered to admire the amazing crowd of tortoise rocks.
A range of majestic blue mountains and snowy peaks were in the distance, calling us, come closer. We kept together but Deon “let the dogs loose” (Sharon’s expression) and they raced to Pholela.
The Pholela hut had a full house, but we all found a place to sleep. Deon, Christa, Rhona and Nikki, the hardy ones, slept in their down bags on the stoep, Deon discreetly on the end of the row of ladies. They enjoyed the splendour of the frosty night sky. I took up the challenge of climbing to the top bunk without mishap, with Daryll making a video of this old gogo in action, with the laughing encouragement of the room mates.
Around the fire pit that evening Christa provided communion wine, alias snake bite, which made the evening merrier than ever. We enjoyed the evening dinner of braised ribs imbued with red wine, mash and roasted veggies with Thai curry and rice for the vegetarians. Most of us were seated at the long table. Deon delivered his briefing with congratulations to all for managing the long haul of 18 or 19 kms so well. The faster ones did the longer distance. Sleep came easily after an 18 km hike, good food, snake bite, wine and convivial company. And I didn’t fall off the top of the bunk bed.
