Report and photos courtesy of Keith Ashton
[CLICK ON PHOTOS TO VIEW FULLSIZE - or view pics in accompanying SIMPLEVIEWER Presentation]
So we were able to do this 10 km walk with over 95% of it being away from any constructed road and some of it off-the-beaten track. We had 10 participants, namely Ansie, Jerry, Biby and her daughter Jo, Julia, Gill, Christie, Margaret, Keith and Beatrix our newest member from Chile.
From our house in Amber Valley we set off keeping to the fence-line between "Amber Valley" and "Amber Lee" (we did not include "Amber Lee" this time on our walk as building construction is still underway in this area). After a while we reached our first steepish climb off-the-beaten track with a little bit of scrambling, but no trouble and once our group had got their breath back at the top we were able to take-in the lovely views over Amber Ridge and into the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
Soon after this we had our fairly close sighting of several zebra and plenty of blesbok (we have nearly 50 blesbok within Amber Valley). We continued along the fence-line between Amber Valley and Kwa-Wula and eventually made our way down to Falcon Dam, which is stocked with trout and is a very scenic area and favourite fishing spot for members of A.V. fishing club. From here we continued around the large dam and down into a valley before rising again (seeing many impala on our way) to walk along the other side of the dam and eventually into "Amber Ridge". then climbing up the next hill to the highest point of both estates. Then it was along the fence-line between "Amber Ridge" and "Kwa-Wula" with several ups and downs as we headed in the direction of Karkloof Road.
1. Reaching the top of the first real climb - Amber Ridge below and Umgeni Valley beyond
2. Taking a breather - Julia nearest and next our newest member from Chile Beatrix
3. A few of the many animals in Amber Valley
4. A few more of the animals - impala in this case
5. Making our way up the ridge of Amber Ridge
6. A close-up of Bibbi, Gill and Ansie - Amber Valley to left and Amber Ridge Right
7. Jerry, Bibby and Ansie near the middle gate between AR and AV
8. Beatrix trying her best to remove all the blackjacks
9. Three smiling ladies, Margaret, Christie and Julia
Once at the fence-line between "Amber Ridge" and Karkloof Road we made our way back towards "Amber Valley" spotting a couple of warthogs on the way. Then in "Amber Valley" we had a very short section along Ridge Road before dropping down into the lovely "Serval Valley" which we named after seeing a lovely serval which spent several weeks in this area. Well down into serval valley we had a rest and lunch at a lovely spot next to a small stream.
From here we reached an old farm track which we descended and then walked behind the croquet lawn, tennis courts, bowling green and the two indoor swimming pools towards Karkloof Road again. After further around the next perimeter fence adjacent to Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve and past "Freeme" (the animal and bird rehabilitation facility) we eventually returned to our house after our 10 km walk in "The Ambers". Well done to Christie for completing her longest walk for a long time - we know you will keep it up with your determination.
Thanks to all our participants for your friendly companionship during our walk - here's to the next time.
Keith
10. Lunch time in serval valley
11. Jerry, Gill and Beatrix enjoying lunch
12. Julia recharging her batteries
13. A thoughtful Jerry with his banana
14. Christie just got a mouthful
15. Jo, Biiby's daughter, Bibi and Ansie chilling before we are off again
16. A colourful group photo without the leader