Judith wrote this, made it easy for me, just had to add pictures.
Picture this.....sitting on the stoep/lawn overlooking the opposite hill,
bathed in the setting sun, catching the orange of the many flowering aloes
and strolling game...closer by on the ample well-kept lawn are a flock of
guinea fowls and the occasional well behaved monkey!
The weather wasn't all that cold...we kept warm at night in the lapa/lounge
with a roaring fire. We even did our braaing indoors
Mnt Komatie has been in existence for 5 years and has received green flag
status. It is very well run by Pieter and 3 men, he manages it on behalf of
the family trust. He could be regarded as overly involved with his guests,
but he was so interested in finding out about our impressions and imparting
his knowledge of nature. There was a another group of 4 women.
We were down to 4...as Oliver had flu.....we slept in one of 3 6 bedded
rooms( with carpets, fitted sheets AND my heater!)
Pieter was so involved that he impressed upon us the difficulty of the 12.5
km hike and how we should tackle it. If we weren't by a certain point by 12
( near the cliffs) then we need to consider returning. He kept in constant
contact with us......!
We started at 8 and four hours of upward walk, with little respite...we
arrived at said point at the cliffs. It was a technically challenging part
of the hike( let me put this straight...Frans and Tom would have managed it
easily)
So it was decided that we should return( of course coffee and cake was
calling)......naturally Frans insisted on bundu bashing in order to pick up
the downward path...which we achieved after a long slog...Before that we had
lunch at (our ) highest point...and admired the cliffs....Thankfully we
returned on that path, because there was a surprise of icy cold drinks
waiting for us about 30 mins from end.
Then we tucked into birthday carrot cake and coffee...later after a welcome
HOT shower we gathered for a (Frans') cheese tasting and wine around the
indoor fire.
Now in addition to this technically challenging hike there are 2 shorter
walks...F and T did the river hike on Sunday. A swimming pool on the banks
of the Komatie is almost complete...and it is possible to go tubing....
So this one will be on the 2019 program!