Morning has broken, light the first hour...
Evening approaching, light the final hour...same picture as above, different days and time of day.
What is it that makes the battle between a couple weighing of the order of 270lbs and a mouse (one lb)
seem unfair? On the first night, actually it was at 1am, we heard a sound in the room. It seemed like someone
was opening a wrapper of candy. Ah! Each spouse thought the other was snacking. Instead, an uninvited mouse
entered the room and attacked the wrapper that had fallen from Jenni’s bag. We jumped out of bed and charged.
The mouse darted behind a backpack. The game was on. With the door open to facilitate the hastily devised strategy,
we chased the mouse from the hut. Well done, guys! Unfortunately, it returned and the scene replayed but this time
we had to search in our backpack, expecting this hideous thing to leap at us. On the third occasion, we heard a
scratching sound and discovered the rodent on our backpack. We kicked out, refusing to use our hands.
The ugly ball of black fur limped and then sprinted from the room and fortunately, we did not see it again although
sleep did not return easily. We agreed unanimously that should we never have a visit from a mouse again we’d be
quite satisfied.
Third day's route along the crest gives perspective of the ups and downs as each mountain is separated. We
commenced at extreme right side of range in picture. The path at the bottom is a jeep track.
Jenni approaches first summit on day one, from De Hoek to Botha's Hoek.We slept a little later than expected because the room was without a glass window thus not being exposed to
early morning light. The earlier escapade added to the sleep-in. However, rising early the following day,
allowed us to view a wonderful sunrise and listen in on the chatter amongst the birds. We did not have our
better class camera with us so we were unable to have the luxury of a telephoto lens. The birds are restless,
not unlike children—they too, hate to sit still and pose for the camera.
Somewhere under these mountains, the Cango Caves. Now what's this uptights, mites business?
Talking of packing. It is quite a task to decide what to leave behind. However, when one carries forty pounds on
the back for a number of days, one learns to make hard choices. A person can take whatever one wants provided the
editor will carry it. So certain things that would have been nice to have remained in the car. It’s all about
priorities. We remember being with an Israeli couple on the Milford Trek in New Zealand. Each night they enjoyed a
fresh vegetable salad, clearly their priority. After two nights without salads, we get the feeling we are developing
scurvy. Nevertheless, if you can carry it, you take it. Carrying weight of that quantum on the body certainly changes
the nature of the hike. If nothing else, it adds to the quality and quantity of the whining.
Day four, early morning on the way down, breathtaking, we think. And that's just 'the guy' in the picture.
Would say in a heartbeat, 'impressive'. Another feature at the Cango Caves
We achieve 'breaking ground'.
These days there are options. The modern world has brought different services from the basic backpacking to
luxury hiking/camping and many variations in-between. There is slack-packing, slap-packing, clamping etc.
We’re a little old-fashioned and are not ready to have someone hike for us…yet. However, we have decided
when we grow up that we really don’t want to be pack-mules. We cannot see where the animals derive their pleasure.
We are always impressed when we meet or observe the colored (mixed race) people of the Cape. Arguably, these
folks have suffered tremendous and unwarranted hardships. Nevertheless, they are a unique people with charisma
and ‘color’ that attest to the strength of human, and particular their own, spirit. When we listen to them
converse, watch them in action and even whether we understand them or not, we are always fascinated.
A Western Cape sunrise. The editor rolls her eyes every time we post one of these. What can we do?
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, which way now?
A particular sight that is etched in our minds occurred when we watched antelope, hence part of the title,
in action on the mountains. The grace, poise and movement caused us to gape as they leaped, sprung and danced
up and down the mountains. Unfortunately, they are very timid and gave us little opportunity to catch them
on film.
The Swartberge, like so many ranges in the world, are awesome, overpowering and rugged. It certainly put us
through our paces. Nevertheless, it was a fine challenge and a wonderful experience—one we won’t forget.
Starting to get really high on the berge while in the shadows. Cheers from the Swartberge.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
In city of George, resting after the trek. South Africa's back-up email system, pi-fi. (Homing/Racing pigeons)
'Hey Mama, you wanna make me an offer on ostrich feathers and eggs, or what?' We think her
expression intimates that sentiment as she stared at Jenni. (Oudtshoorn.)
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