Membership
Our membership numbers have
reached a record number again this year.andnbsp;andnbsp; In July our numbers rose to 166
members.andnbsp; Thanks must go to all
those who encouraged new members to join.andnbsp;andnbsp; According to our Secretary Keith,
Rose Dix has done a sterling job in signing on new members.andnbsp;andnbsp; I would ask you all to make an
effort to get new members to join.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Our yearly costs are fixed and#8211; up to a point, so the more members we
have, the easier it is to keep our yearly club subs at a reasonable level. I
still meetandnbsp; people who do not know
that we are here. That is despite having our week end hikes in the paper
and#8211; thanks to Margaret.andnbsp;andnbsp;
So please , tell anyone you know about us.andnbsp; Hopefully, with the number of members of
our club now either having moved, or will move into Amber Valley, we can get
more recruits from there as well.
New members may bring new
leaders, and we desperately need new leaders.
Honorary Life members
Adrian Flett
was inducted into ourandnbsp; Honorary Life
Membersandnbsp; club in recognition for his
contribution to our club. Adian was a founder member
of the club, he served as a hike leader, and as Chairman, as well as being the
auditor of the clubs finances to verify the position for the Cluband#8217;sandnbsp; AGMs.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; It must be remembered that
this club is happy to honour retired members who have contributed in a positive
way to the growth and enjoyment of members of the club.
MHC Website
Once again, I would like to
extend my thanks, and those of all the members of the Club to Rod Hart and his
family for the incredible club website that he runs for us.andnbsp;andnbsp; Over the year Rod has changed the
site, added new innovations and still kept the site is very user friendly.andnbsp;andnbsp; The more news one has, and by
keeping the web site up to date with a lot ofandnbsp; information, people are drawn back to
the site to see what is happening.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Members have done well this year in writing up about hikes, as well as
sending pictures of the hike.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;
Thanks Rod, and Sam for your great contribution to our Club.
Past Years Activities
I meet a number of people at
the various KZN Wildlife parks, and also at other venues, who are hiking on
their own.andnbsp;andnbsp; Many seem to
prefer this, as they can go and do what they want to do, yet in the same
breath, they seem to do the same trip each time.andnbsp;andnbsp; No doubt they are and#8220;sort
ofand#8221; experienced, but the great thing about belonging to our club is the
varied sort of outdoor experience that is available, with it leaders who can
offer a safe experience.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Going through this past years Club Fixtures, highlights this in no
uncertain terms.
Our Socials at our new venue
and#8211; this Church of Ascension Hall, have been in the main well
attended.andnbsp;andnbsp; The venue is casual
and informal, and I believe suits the club well.andnbsp; Here we must thank Allison for finding
this venue for us.
There was always some
interesting talk, or slide show, as well as our annual quiz evening.andnbsp;andnbsp; The success of the quiz would not
have been possible without the hard work of Teresa and Chantelandnbsp; who set the evening up, and badgered
sponsors for prizes.andnbsp;andnbsp; A big
hank you to these sponsors who include Keith and Margaret Ashton, Yvonne of Sabat, Shannon for rusks, Bush
and Bundu, Cape Union Mart, Foodpakandnbsp; Pietermaritzburg,
Bergfree Adventures.
Amongst the talks was the
very interesting talk by Mark Brown and#8211; on the birds of the Drakensberg. Mountain Rescue by the Mountain Club.andnbsp;andnbsp; An evening of Line Dancing .andnbsp;andnbsp; Slide shows on various hikes that
the club has done, including the Nauklift Trail, Mt
Kenya, The Al Gore documentary and#8220;An Inconvenient Truthand#8221;, and others.
The One Day Hikesandnbsp;
Have met with varied success,
some hikes have been canceled, and others well
attended.andnbsp;andnbsp; In particular the Karkloof Canopy day was a huge success.
From the 2 day hikes and longer we have had week-ends in luxury, toandnbsp; week-ends in wet tents and windy
caves.andnbsp;andnbsp; From easy campsite day
hikes to the more strenuous adventures.andnbsp;andnbsp; A venue that has been very popular
has been Mountain Shadows camping ground . The Highmoor
area is a great area to hike in, and Keith and Margaret are always finding new
places to explore.andnbsp;andnbsp; Thanks to
Keith and Margaret for finding this venue.
Again the cottage week-ends
with Keith and Margaret, Mark and Mary have been very popular week end
destinations. For those who thought that these week-ends would be a bit of a
relaxing time, the opposite has proven true in many cases where long hikes have
been experienced from the cottages.andnbsp;andnbsp;
It has also proved to be a venue where many new friends have met.
Some of the week-end camping
and caving trips were also cancelled due to very few takers.
Longer Trails
The Kosi
Bay Trail, was well supported, unfortunately our Newsletter Editor, Noandeuml;l
Harper slipped and broke her wrist, and had to leave the trail early.
Longer and Harder Traverse
Mountain Backpackers / MHCandnbsp;andnbsp;
2007 and#8211; Grand Traverse Hike and#8211; North to South.andnbsp;andnbsp; This ultimate 13 day hiking
challenge and#8211; the greatest hiking challenge in South Africa and#8211;andnbsp; covers 220 kmandnbsp;andnbsp; across the escarpmentandnbsp; of the berg , and in that time hikers
will climb the height of Everest (over 9000m climb), have all sorts of nice and
nasty weather, andandnbsp; experience a
body and soul testing and uplifting 13 days.
Once again the club was very
well supported on this epic hike.andnbsp;andnbsp;
This time by our ladies and all of them completed the traverse.andnbsp;andnbsp; I refer to these ladies as and#8220;The 5 Incredible
Iron Ladies of our cluband#8221; , Allison Gunning, Chantel
Beattie, Irene Wisdom and Teresa Whitfield, and Elaine Bushell.andnbsp;andnbsp; With any such event organisation and back up is
of paramount importance.andnbsp;andnbsp; Here
again we were well supported by Keith and#8211; on the re-supply organisation and
actual re-supply.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Initial
party to see the Traversers off at the top of the
Amphitheatreandnbsp; were -andnbsp; andnbsp;Brian
Henwood, Robandnbsp; Andersonandnbsp; and Dave Sclanders.
Then the 2nd big journey was the actual 3
day hike to get resupplies to the top of Bannerman
Pass in the Giants Castle area.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Here thanks go to Keith and Margaret Ashton, Brian Henwood, Mark Wisdom,
and his brother Andrew.andnbsp; Also Yvonne
Engelbrecht, Lyn Gissing,
Cecil Hackney and Craig Bekker.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Well done and
congratulations to these re- supply team members.
In recognition of those of
our Cub who have either done the Traverse, or helped with the re-supply, your
Committee has decided to have special certificates produced to issue to these
hardy souls. This will be done in the near future.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Xmas Party
The great Xmas party at Mark
and Maryand#8217;s house on the farm, again, was another great success, and
enjoyed by all who attended.andnbsp;andnbsp;
The weather was hot.andnbsp; The
very and#8220;orienteeringand#8221; course laid out by Mark and his committee
turned into something of a and#8220;surpriseand#8221;, when all the recognised Club
leaders were and#8220;disqualified on technical groundsand#8221;, and new leaders
from within each team were elected to lead the way.andnbsp; This was done with gusto and much
enthusiasm.andnbsp;andnbsp; Congratulations
to all leaders and teams for getting around the course, and safely back home.andnbsp; Then we had theandnbsp; magnificent Mother Xmas and her lovely
fairy helper arrive to give out the many Xmas presents.andnbsp;andnbsp; Thanks so much to Bushy and Pat
for a wonderful fun filled afternoon.andnbsp;andnbsp; A great day to end offandnbsp; 2006.
andnbsp;So all in all a lot of interesting
hiking, walking, sharing, talking, learning time was offered by your club this
past year to all its members.andnbsp;
Club Subscriptions
We will be discussing this is
shortly.andnbsp;andnbsp; As already
mentioned, as our membership grows, so do club funds. The more members we have,
so the burden of keeping the club running becomes lighter.
Other Events
The club is also represented
on the KZN Wildlife Hiking and Mountaineering Liaison Committee and the MDT
Safety and Security Committee.andnbsp;andnbsp;
The club has and will also continue with itand#8217;s close co-operation
with Mountain Backpackers.
Committee and Leaders
Once again, I must thank your
committee and hike leaders for the time and effort that they have put in this
past year to keep the interests of the club up.andnbsp;andnbsp; We have had a number of
committee/leadersandnbsp; meetings in
between the normal monthly functions, and theseandnbsp; have all been well attended.
To all the leaders, who offer
their time to decide on a trip to lead, plan and organise the trip, and take
the responsibility of leading that trip, a big thank you.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; It has been with a great
sense of satisfaction to see the growth of a few club members into Hike
leaders.andnbsp;andnbsp; Allison, Teresa and Chantel, have done a lot of leading for St Johns School,
whilst Allison was the main stay of the Mt Kenya trip.andnbsp;andnbsp; We need new leaders to join us, or
to start to lead short hikes and get to learn the paths and routes.andnbsp;andnbsp; Your and#8220;Old Leadersand#8221; are
getting older, new replacements are eagerly sought.
Once again I must say
and#8220;The tricky part of the evening is to name and thank certain people for
their contribution to your club.and#8221;
Keith Ashton for all his time
in keeping the cluband#8217;s membership data up to date, his in depth organising
and reporting structuresandnbsp; as well as
all his efforts in organising the many and#8211; far away hikes that he has
organised.
Then especially to Allison
Gunning who has stepped in as a new leader, and led a number of trips this last
year.andnbsp;andnbsp; Allison also organised
our new venue, as well as her contribution in many other ways to the club.
To Rod for our Web site
To Noandeuml;l,andnbsp; Irene, Ossie- (under sometimes trying
conditions - also Libby for her support of Ossie), andandnbsp; Margaret, thanks for the work behind the
scenes that you do.andnbsp;andnbsp; Noandeuml;l
-andnbsp; one can hardly say that and#8220;Shooshing me aroundand#8221; to get the Chairmanand#8217;s
report out on time is always welcomed, but the Newsletter is always on time.
Also to our leaders Brian, Mary,
Graham, Philip, Bushy, Mark and Selven and#8211;
without you guys the club could not operate and#8211; thank you.
All that remains now is to
thank you all for coming to share and contribute to this AGM this evening.andnbsp; The club looks forward to your continued
participation in the new club year, whether it be hiking, club socials,andnbsp; introducing new members or whatever,
your contribution is important to the continued social role of this MHC.andnbsp;andnbsp; May our new hiking year be happy
and fulfilling for all of us.
andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;
CLIMBING MOUNT KENYA (cont)andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;
Peter and#8216;Pegand#8217;andnbsp;
Wedge
December, 2006
DAY
3 - THURSDAY 7 DECEMBERandnbsp;
We woke up to a clear and
bright morning with a great view of Mt Kenya with ice and snow showing up
beautifully and#8211; this no more than 13 kms from the
Equator.andnbsp;andnbsp; We had breakfast
and#8211; full Monty courtesy of Peter the cook and off by 09h00 to our next
overnight stop at Judmaier Camp.andnbsp;andnbsp; Geoff (alias Elias or vice versa!)
our guide firstly however introduced our porters and cooks to our group and we
then introduced ourselves.andnbsp;andnbsp;
This showed good human relations and it was clear that Geoff was a
professional.
A long slow climb of about
9kms to Judmaier and#8211; old Moses hut at 3300m or
about the height of our Drakensberg.andnbsp;andnbsp; Most of us took Diamox today. This minimises water retention and the risk
of oedema and#8211; particularly cerebral which can be fatal.andnbsp;andnbsp; However you have to pee a lot more
than usual.
The route to Judmaier changes from rain forest to classic moorland with giant heather and protea.andnbsp;andnbsp; Several unusual alpine type plants
also seen together with the first of the weird giant lobelia (more later).
We met people coming off the
mountain and#8211; 2 French girls who actually met each other at the top and
clearly now were best friends and a guy from the Magaliesberg
area, Martin Templar.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Heand#8217;s a farmer and is encouraging people to come to hike in this
area.andnbsp;andnbsp; (His number is
084-410-0469).andnbsp;andnbsp; This could be
a great long weekend and#8211; the Magaliesberg range
is quite delightful country and#8211; over to you Keith!
At Judmaier
for lunch and#8211; another Peter special and#8211; and then rain set in.andnbsp;andnbsp; The weather on the mountain can be
unpredictable.andnbsp;andnbsp; A young
African lady had been brought down, she was feeling sick, our first hard
evidence of High Altitude Sickness which meant that those of us without
Kilimanjaro experience were feeling a bit anxious!
Allisonand#8217;s card school,
rummy, in which Allisonand#8217;s rules apply but in my opinion they change
daily, followed by afternoon tea with doughnuts.andnbsp;andnbsp; A small party then trekked up the
next track to about 3500m to see the general terrain and also to help
acclimatise.andnbsp;andnbsp; Generally
itand#8217;s a good idea to climb high and sleep lower.andnbsp;andnbsp; Another hot meal for dinner, more
cards and most of us in bed by 20h30 with the rain now quite heavy.andnbsp;andnbsp; Peter (Senior) up around 02h00 to
a magnificent view of the mountain peaks and with the Southern Cross lying just
on the horizon but not possible to photograph without time delay etc.
A good day but an indication
of hard work to be done.andnbsp;andnbsp; Judmaier camp, actually a hut, was basic but quite
comfortable.andnbsp;andnbsp; We occupied 2
rooms each with 8 bunks, and the other rooms filled up with other hikers from
all round the world.
DAY
4 and#8211; FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBERandnbsp;
Clear in the early morning
but strong winds with portents of chilly cold weather ahead.andnbsp;andnbsp; Breakfast at 07h00 and off by
08h00 to our next stop at Shiptonand#8217;s camp at
4200m.andnbsp;andnbsp; We had quite a stiff
climb for the first 2 hours and#8211; most of us now realising that slow is
and#8220;cooland#8221;.
It was clear after the 2
hours that we wouldnand#8217;t be at Shiptonand#8217;s by
14h00 (as indicated by Malcolmand#8217;s itinerary). Flora on the mountain now
quite dramatic with giant groundsel (a type of succulent), ostrich plume
lobelia (monstrous plant about 1,4m high with a very complex cell like
structure) and alpine plants, many and varied.andnbsp;andnbsp; After about 4andfrac12; hours we
came across 2 Spanish guys and#8211; the younger of the two feeling and looking
very ill.andnbsp;andnbsp; They had passed us
earlier on and#8211; going quickly and obviously had paid the price.andnbsp;andnbsp; They had to go back down the
mountain!andnbsp;andnbsp; You donand#8217;t
mess with this mountain!
Mt. Kenya peaks now almost
permanently in view and#8211; quite spectacular.andnbsp;andnbsp; We had lunch by a river and#8211;
next after Niki North and#8211; again a masterpiece by
Peter and team and then the final push, mostly on the 4000m contour.andnbsp;andnbsp; A short stiff climb past Shiptonand#8217;s cave and then cresting the peak the most
welcome view of Shiptonand#8217;s camp about 1 km
away.andnbsp;andnbsp; Arrival at 16h00 to hot
coffee and biscuits and#8211; Rummy again before dinner.
Several other parties were at
Shiptonand#8217;s including a French party and a Slovak
girl and#8211; very international is Mt. Kenya!andnbsp;andnbsp; According to Pauland#8217;s GPS we
walked 14,7 km today and climbed 1100m and#8211; Shiptonand#8217;s
is at 4200m.andnbsp;andnbsp; Now distinctly
chilly.andnbsp;andnbsp; A good hot dinner
again and bed by 21h00, ready for the next camp.andnbsp;andnbsp; All of us now beginning to feel
confident about the final ascent although Peter and Margaret getting slight
headaches.
SWEETWATERS
COTTAGEandnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Sally
Browne
We managed an early start from Amberfield,
almost the 06h30 start we had planned and made good time.andnbsp;andnbsp; Following Keithand#8217;s precise
directions, we drove through Underberg, turned on to the Drakensberg
Gardens road, turned right opposite Naverone and drew
up outside the cottage 08h30-ish.
We were Dot Randall, Joan Birch and Joanand#8217;s sister Margie and
me.andnbsp;andnbsp; Waiting at the cottage
were Keith, Margaret, Prema and Selwyn.andnbsp;andnbsp; Liz and Casper were expected to
arrive later that day.andnbsp;andnbsp; Having
stowed ourselves into this most attractive and well designed cottage with a lovely
outlook over Garden Castle, and having downed a restorative cup of coffee,andnbsp; we climbed into Keithand#8217;s 4X4 and
drove up past the hotel and along the Golf Course to the KZN Wildlife offices
at Swiman.andnbsp;andnbsp;
It had been decided that we would walk that first day to Sleeping Beauty
Cave or maybe on up to Engagement Cave.andnbsp;andnbsp; Despite having walked the path to
the cave many times, having lived on a farm in the area as a schoolgirl, I
still experience an emotional jolt every time I round the corner and look up to
see the Monk sitting in his chair above me.andnbsp;andnbsp; That incredible rock formation, so
unmistakably a monk, such an imposing presence in the valley.
I find the steep ascent to sleeping Beauty Cave increasingly
arduous.andnbsp;andnbsp; We reached that huge
most inhospitable of caves about lunch time.andnbsp;andnbsp; After lunch Keith, Margaret and
Selwyn climbed on up to Engagement Cave while Joan, Dot and I lay on our backs
in the sun watching the clouds scudding over the cliffs, their shadows sweeping
down the valley below.
On the way back we were about to cross a river when Margaret suddenly said
and#8220;Look!and#8221;, and there lying on a rock was a Puff Adder, fully exposed
in its hues of yellow, brown and green.andnbsp;andnbsp; It lay there unmoving until Keith
approached with his camera and then slowly withdrew quickly becoming invisible
among the grass and rocks.
The following morning was chilly.andnbsp;andnbsp; Dot and I made sleepy eye contact
before snuggling down into our beds to allow the sisters to decide the order of
rising.andnbsp;andnbsp; It was Margieand#8217;s
birthday and Joan, the first to awake, appeared with a breakfast tray.andnbsp;andnbsp; Margie was being treated to
breakfast in bed on a tray decorated with a spray of frosty autumn leaves.
Todayand#8217;s walk was to be a long but level walk.andnbsp; We would follow the Giantand#8217;s Cup
Route towards Bushmanand#8217;s Nek and then turn right
into Hidden Valley.andnbsp;andnbsp; We
planned to have lunch in Sherry Cave.andnbsp;andnbsp; Casper and Liz came with us to the
turn off to Hidden Valley.andnbsp;andnbsp;
From this point we could look down to the left to Crystal Waters, a
guest farm where the Labuschagnes planned to spend a
week-end in June.andnbsp;andnbsp; Further to
the left we could see a small herd of Wildebeest.andnbsp; I wondered if this was the right place
for them.andnbsp;andnbsp; How would they cope
in the winter?
Wonderful crisp winter weather accompanied us as we walked along the Mzumude River stopping at one particularly beautiful pool.andnbsp; Crossing the river further on proved
tricky and Joan on reaching the far bank slipped not only drenching her boots
but dropping a very precious walking stick which floated determinedly away
downstream.andnbsp;andnbsp; It was, however,
cleverly retrieved by Selwyn and we continued on our way to Sherry Cave where
we enjoyed lunch listening to Keith, a polished raconteur, relating various
hiking experiences.
As we turned for home Selwyn exclaimed, and#8220;Its snowing!and#8221;, and
indeed it was, just a gentle powdering alighting on our packs.andnbsp; We walked fast aware that there was
trouble brewing in the build up of cloud behind us, and nearly made it back to
the car park but a squall caught us just near Swiman
Hut.andnbsp;andnbsp; Any discomfort was,
however, short lived.andnbsp;andnbsp; As we
turned into the cottage a warm welcome from Liz, Casper, Margie and Prema awaited us, and a roaring fire burned in the
grate.andnbsp;andnbsp; Despite the chilly
evening we stuck to our decision to braai and Casper
braved the elements to produce a delicious meal.andnbsp;andnbsp; Meanwhile on the TV and#8221;The
Matchand#8221; was in progress and our cricketers were putting on an
astonishingly inept performance against Australia, so much so that, wearied by
our 18km walk we felt little guilt in creeping off to bed leaving the match to
its inevitable conclusion, watched only by Keith and Casper.
Next morning we walked from the cottage crunching over the frosty lawn,
turning left at the end of the drive over Naverone
property until we reached a gate leading on to KZN Wildlife land.andnbsp;andnbsp; This was to be a morning spent
visiting one lovely pool after another, known as the three Pools walk.andnbsp; We followed the Mashai
River.andnbsp;andnbsp; After a short steep
clamber we stopped at a stone bench, blending in so well with the landscape
that it was invisible until we almost walked into it.andnbsp;andnbsp; Michael John Dik
announces the plaque and we read that he was only 30 years old when he
died.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; His bench is
placed above, probably, the most beautiful pool of all, deep and so clear that
it is difficult to tell surface and reflection apart.andnbsp;andnbsp; A short way on, up a tributary we
came to Champagne Pool with its delightful waterfall.andnbsp;andnbsp; From here a short climb took us to
an overhang protecting some unexpectedly well preserved Bushman paintings.andnbsp;andnbsp; Having seen the desecration of the
paintings at Siponwene it was re-assuring to find
this small gem still so intact.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Back to Champagne Pool for a rest and early lunch, then a stop a bit
further down to allow Margaret and Joan to swim!!andnbsp;andnbsp; A quick dip in a freezing mountain
pool, which judging by the gasps and squeals could be rated a stoic achievement
rather than a pleasure.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Suddenly we were surrounded by groups of people, until now the week-end
had been surprisingly devoid of fellow walkers, but now they appeared in
numbers.andnbsp;andnbsp; As we walked home we
were disappointed to find ourselves picking up sweet papers, polystyrene mugs
and juice bottles strewn along a path which just a couple of hours before had
been pristine.
It was sad to pack up and load the car.andnbsp;andnbsp; Margaret made some delicious
waffles and then it was off back to Amderfield after
a most enjoyable week-end.
DOLPHIN HOLIDAY
RESORTandnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;
Linda Bruss
The Ballito camping week-end at the Dolphin
Holiday Resort was relaxed and enjoyable with people arriving and leaving on
different days.andnbsp;andnbsp; There were 8
of us on Friday night, 13 on Satur5day and 6 for Sunday night.andnbsp;andnbsp; The camp sites were together with
electric points to add and#8220;homelyand#8221; to the camping comforts.andnbsp;andnbsp; Tea and cream scones were served
twice a day at tea times and there were twp TV and#8220;loungesand#8221; where we
watched the Rugby and Comrades.andnbsp;andnbsp;
Besides sunbathing and just enjoying being on the beach we had 3
leisurely walks, one in a northerly direction to Thompsonand#8217;s Bay through
the hold in the wall and another going south.andnbsp;andnbsp; The devastation caused by the
abnormal spring tides in March was evident all along the coastline.andnbsp;andnbsp; In places buildings collapsed as
the ground under them was washed away by the sea.andnbsp;andnbsp; This freak wave [phenomenon was
caused by the alignment of the sun, earth and moon.andnbsp;andnbsp; On Sunday we walked through the
natural forest and came close enough to two duiker for Keith to touch.andnbsp;andnbsp; In the evenings we all got
together around Keithand#8217;s camp fire.andnbsp;andnbsp; On Saturday evening Hettie had us enthralled with her stories about her hike up
the Annapurna.
After a wholesome, energising long week-end we parted ways and#8211; Keith
off to another appointment in the and#8216;Berg.