Started from the bottom
The first hike of the
year. The area recently had plenty of rain which means the terrain was greener
than ever before and required water shoes. 70% of the time, we were ankle deep
in water as clear as the skies. The weather was hot, so we went into the water,
every chance we got.
I was so busy admiring
the beauty, that I bumped my head not once, but twice against tree branches. (I’m
pretty sure that I had a light concussion from it) Despite the accidents, we
kept on hiking. Further in the hike, we climbed rocks using ropes and if it
weren’t for Oom Heinrich, I probably would’ve hit my face against the rock as
well. Mid rock climbing, my boyfriend’s mom’s phone slipped out of my backpack,
straight into the water. I was so overwhelmed by everything that happened, that
I stood right there and cried and laughed at the same time. No hike goes by
without me having some kind of accident, but I feel like this one was the
cherry on top of it all, it can only get better from now on forward.
All were forgotten when
we finally made our way to the waterfall, the same waterfall that had run dry a
year before. I remember Tannie Belinda’s words: “what a privilege it is to be
standing here on a Thursday morning”
During the hike, we could hear the water flowing through
the woods and the birds kept us company. On our way home, we came across a few
wild animals, which concluded the wonderful day spent in nature.
Groendal - Fernkloof - 13/01/2022
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Hap & Stap Club
If you enjoy being
cooled down by nature while on a walk, this hike would be perfect for you. It
started off with a stone trail where water ran through and ended with a
rewardingly beautiful swimming hole and waterfall.
We were so in awe of
the waterfall; we had a hard time leaving. Tannie Belinda probably would’ve
stayed there the whole day if she could. The best part for me was having lunch
while our feet were in the middle of a flowing water stream.
During the hike we saw
a fern that was bigger and more beautiful than we’ve ever seen before. We went
through trees that looked like they were growing canopies over the path we
walked on.
At the end of the hike,
we had a braai at the reserve’s picnic site. It is there were tannie Belinda
decided that we should be called the “hap & stap club”, after she made
plans to get McFlurry’s on our way home. Which by the way, was the highlight of
the whole day for her.
Groendal - Waterkloof - 15/01/2022
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over the hills My first sunset hike
was quite a rememberable one.
It was a Friday night,
so I was exhausted from the week and honestly almost didn’t go hiking. I never
believed when people talked about hiking therapy, but once I was on that
mountain, everything else disappeared. I was no longer tired, but in awe of the
spectacular view.
The weather was a
little cloudy, but the cracks where the sun poured through the clouds, made it
look even better than we expected.
We waited for it to start getting
darker, before we made our way home. It’s funny how everything looks different
when its dark. I’ve walked the same path many times, but that night, it felt
like a whole new terrain.
Crossways - Room with a view - 21/01/2022
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best of bothYou know it’s going to
be a good hike when the trail starts off with bunnies greeting you at the entrance.
Besides our welcoming
committee, the trail was so green from the previous night’s rain. We started off
by climbing an uphill jeep track and the trail only began at the top of the
hill. At least it was mostly downhill from there. We made our way through the beautiful
green woods and had an ocean view while we took our lunch break.
Only when we got to the
top it made me realize that this hill is a representation of my life. While climbing,
one gets tired and the feeling of giving up and turning back creeps into your
mind; but when I got to the top of the hill, I realized that it wasn’t that bad
at all and turning back would’ve made me feel disappointed in myself (which is
worse than temporary tiredness)
Whilst walking on the
trail, you could hear the ocean waves crashing in the distance, we could hear and
feel the ocean breeze dancing in the trees. All around us were small wildflowers
guiding us through the trail. What a way to spend your Monday afternoon!
Gratitude
is all I felt.
Of course, we couldn’t go home without stopping at McDonald’s first, a
hazelnut iced coffee concluded the day.
Maitland - De Stanens - 04/04/2022
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farm feelingWhat a better way to
spend Freedom Day than on a beautiful hike.
It was an easy 5km hike
that we did for the first time located next to a local restaurant, Grass Roof.
We had this farm
feeling throughout the whole hike as there were many different animals from the
beginning to the end, and abandoned buildings towards the end as well, one building
even still had an oven door inside (which I thought looked pretty cool)
Beautiful flower bushes
were found around every corner. There were also ducks in a pond along the trail,
I tried getting a close-up photo but was too scared I’ll be chased by their territorial
instincts. The horses were so friendly that they greeted us at the fence along
the pathway.
This hike was very
relaxing and enjoyable. At the end, we made our way to the restaurant where it had
the same calming atmosphere. We came for the hiking trail and stayed for the
food.
Grass Roof - 27/04/2022
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the first climbMy first hike in after
being sick for months.
This hike started off with
a lot of uphill climbs. It took me longer than the others to get to the top,
but it taught me that sometimes beginnings are sometimes the hardest, but once
you push through, you’ll be prouder of yourself. After the hard climb, the rest
seemed easy and effortless.
Winter hikes means lunch
breaks include warm coffee. I loved the idea that I had my morning coffee among
the trees and the birds singing and of course good company. I have decided that
hike coffee tastes better than any other coffee.
Afterwards we stopped
at the Elephant walk restaurant to experience their relaxed environment and of
course had some coffee there as well.
The Island trail(1-3) 26-06-2022
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round two We did the same hike,
only this time on a Thursday and a bit longer.
This time I took the hike much
easier than the first time, which just adds to my statement beginning is the
hardest part sometimes.
We also saw more animals and found a rock all the way
from Cape Town, in Port Elizabeth. I have never walked through so many spider
webs on a hike, I’m pretty sure I still have some in my hair.
Nature nurtures, a statement
I live by. There is nothing more therapeutic than walking through the woods, savoring
every aspect of what nature has to offer.
A quick hike on a Thursday
afternoon, was all we needed to continue the week.
The Island trail(1-4) 07-07-2022
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