MAHAI CAMPSITE – ROYAL NATAL

30/31 OCTOBER 99

The camp has all the usual facilities plus instant boiling water on tap, ideal for that refreshing cup of tea or coffee.

andnbsp;

Brenda, Warwick, Frank (guest), Campbell, Lorraine, Mike, Deneys andamp; Arlene arrived at the camp on Friday night andamp; got well settled in although it did rain overnight. Margaret andamp; Keith arrived early Saturday morning andamp; quickly pitched tent. Then we all set off except for Lorraine who had sore feet from the Kosi Bay Trail.

andnbsp;

Brenda, Deneys, andamp; Arlene went to Surprise Ridge andamp; the rest of us led by Warwick went up Broome Hill (2213m) via Castle Rocks andamp; the “Hole in the Wall” which was an opening in enormous rocks just large enough to crawl through on hands andamp; knees. We saw two Berg Adders en-route.

andnbsp;

After lunch on the summit andamp; admiring the lovely views, although a bit hazy, we made our way along the contour path towards The Crack. Suddenly Warwick andamp; Frank who were at the front cried out andamp; jumped high into the air. They were being “attacked” by a very large brown snake which at first glance was thought to be a Cape Cobra! However on closer very wary inspection we came to the conclusion that it was a Mole Snake, which can be very aggressive when startled but is harmless. After this encounter we stepped more warily. (Keith’s photograph of the snake has still to be developed).

The weather had been quite kind until we started to descend The Crack when it suddenly started to thunder andamp; rained heavily making the descent quite slippery. However we all got down safely, it stopped raining andamp; we meandered back to camp.

andnbsp;

Rain started again later andamp; Deneys andamp; Arlene decided they did not want to risk another rainy night so they left for home despite our pleading with them to stay.

andnbsp;

Warwick andamp; Brenda had their caravan complete with double awning so the rest of us temporarily abandoned our tents andamp; congregated under the awning of “Keatings’ Kontinental Kafe” where many Kontinental Kocktails were consumed in honour of Brenda andamp; Campbell who both had birthdays the previous week.

andnbsp;

Sunday we awoke to brilliant sunshine andamp; clear blue sky (eat your hearts out Deneys andamp; Arlene). We all went on a lovely walk along the contour path to Tendele admiring the many beautiful wild flowers andamp; proteas along the way. Then after a rest under the shade of trees by the river we returned to camp, had a leisurely lunch, packed up andamp; regretfully had to make our way home.

andnbsp;

It was a very enjoyable week end , thank you Warwick andamp; Brenda.

andnbsp;

Margaret Ashton