6 April 2003
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At 09:00 twenty-two members
congregated outside Game at La Lucia Mall preparatory to setting off up the
beach for Umhlanga Rocks. The walk
commenced through a bit of wooded area and on to the beach. There was a fairly strong north-easterly
headwind against which the party had to head in the direction of Umhlanga. Undaunted, some chose to discard boots and
shoes to paddled along at the water’s edge, while others selected the
highground for comfortable walking.
Midway along a rest break was taken to catch breath and admire the
surrounding view.
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Umhlanga Rocks beach was
packed with visitors but we managed to find a fairly large slice of sand on
which to settle ourselves to sun-bathe, take a sea swim and delve into
backpacks for something to nibble. Had
anybody forgotten to bring morning tea, hawkers with various foodstuffs on
offer only too happy to display their wares were plentiful.
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Having spent a lazy hour or
so we continued up the beach towards the lagoon next to which is Nudist Beach,
where several “old” bare male bottoms were on display. They viewed us as being rather over dressed
in our hiking-cum-beach garb, while we all politely pretended not to notice
their nakedness. By this time the
temperature had risen somewhat and it was becoming rather hot. The team turned south in the direction of
the indigenous forests for a cool walk through bush, birdland and river
crossings back to Umhlanga, where the party split up for lunch. Some chose to picnic under the trees while
others went for the steakhouse and yet others selected a pub lunch. To each his own.
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An hour later most met up
again for the return through the suburbs to La Lucia where we arrived at about
16h00 to retrieve our vehicles and head home.
Thank you Graham for a most
pleasant day. We look forward to the
next such walk.