Three days earlier, the same waterfall in the distance viewed from another trail.
Stop for a photo shoot. How cute!
Life on the road provides some interesting opportunities to meet people from all over the world. It's hardly surprising to meet a couple from South Africa in Clarens. However, to meet a rather charming and interesting couple from Johannesburg on a walk above the dam outside the town was unexpected. Beverley and Dave Nowikow from the big city had just arrived at a high viewpoint overlooking the water where we made contact. We spent much time conversing and the longer it continued, the less we wanted to separate. Therefore, we hiked back to the entrance of the park together spending a little time observing the surroundings and most of the period conversing--a nice term for good old talking.
Jen heading to way above the wall in front of her.
Life on the road provides some interesting opportunities to meet people from all over the world. It's hardly surprising to meet a couple from South Africa in Clarens. However, to meet a rather charming and interesting couple from Johannesburg on a walk above the dam outside the town was unexpected. Beverley and Dave Nowikow from the big city had just arrived at a high viewpoint overlooking the water where we made contact. We spent much time conversing and the longer it continued, the less we wanted to separate. Therefore, we hiked back to the entrance of the park together spending a little time observing the surroundings and most of the period conversing--a nice term for good old talking.
We then reached our car, somewhere along the street way down from the park entrance. It still wasn't appropriate to separate so we headed into town for coffee and cold-drinks. After being thrown out of the coffeehouse for overstaying our welcome, we headed back to our parked cars. There comes a time to separate, even reluctantly, when we finally did. For us, it was a real pleasure to spend so much time with fellow hikers. They are indeed a charming couple who revealed some interesting aspects of life in the old country. Heck, we could even understand what they shared despite their local accents. Thank you, Beverley and Dave.
An earlier view at water level. One of us, you might have noticed, has a fascination of reflections.
A view of the dam from close to the highpoint of the hike.
Reaching the endpoint of the hike as we go a little off trail to 'fool around' on the boulders.
Returning along the trail toward the dam below.
A peek into someone's home. Not nice but a nice view.
Across the way is the giant, Mount Horeb. On our last visit we reached the highpoint of the lower side. We were stopped by the management from entering the gated community, the official climbing trailhead. Dawn, our landlady, arranged with a local farmer to allow us for a fee to climb from his farm. A charming elderly man, he added, 'you walk across the veld, negotiate the dongas, turn right and go straight up.' He continued, 'shouldn't be a problem.' Sounded like an experienced hiker. He concluded, 'I've never done it myself though.' We wish he'd been with us. A real rough scramble without any form of trail. Always worth it though.
Jen eats brunch just below the peak, reachable from the other side where we were stopped from entering. What, might you inquire, do you eat, typically?
Look no further. We hunt, hike and eat. ('Heaven forbid'). My function is to ward off the vultures while Jen slices off the prime bits.
A view of the dam from close to the highpoint of the hike.
Reaching the endpoint of the hike as we go a little off trail to 'fool around' on the boulders.
Returning along the trail toward the dam below.
A peek into someone's home. Not nice but a nice view.
Across the way is the giant, Mount Horeb. On our last visit we reached the highpoint of the lower side. We were stopped by the management from entering the gated community, the official climbing trailhead. Dawn, our landlady, arranged with a local farmer to allow us for a fee to climb from his farm. A charming elderly man, he added, 'you walk across the veld, negotiate the dongas, turn right and go straight up.' He continued, 'shouldn't be a problem.' Sounded like an experienced hiker. He concluded, 'I've never done it myself though.' We wish he'd been with us. A real rough scramble without any form of trail. Always worth it though.
Jen eats brunch just below the peak, reachable from the other side where we were stopped from entering. What, might you inquire, do you eat, typically?
Look no further. We hunt, hike and eat. ('Heaven forbid'). My function is to ward off the vultures while Jen slices off the prime bits.
The beauty of the system is that we don't have to wash and clean up afterwards--others down the food chain perform a perfect function. Nature developed a system, which seems cruel at first glance, but actually works well. It tickles me when people criticize the system, especially those who enjoy a thick juicy steak.
Our brunch always contains fruit to accompany our yoghurt and cereal. Why fruit? I have imagined the advent of scurvy for the last twelve years so Jen always ensures we eat our daily requirement. Seems odd but there is logic behind this...I'll tell you another time.
Tapers to a narrow point and slippery for extra measure.
Cheers,
Tapers to a narrow point and slippery for extra measure.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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