Saturday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we did a very long trail walk. We started offย at 6.30am with the plan to walk along the Contour Path from Constantia Nek to Table Mountain Rd & that was what we did.
We were in shade for most of the way. This is not far along.
We know the path from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch as we’ve done it a few times. From Kirstenbosch to the King’s Blockhouse (Rhodes Memorial) was less known to us. We knew it would take us through Newlands Forest but were not very familiar with the route. We had been up there once and found a massive table, so we were expecting to pass that. But first we had to get to Kirstenbosch. It was there that we became very evident of God’s grace on the contour path. When I planned this hike 3 or 4 weeks ago, I had no idea that it would be the day of the Ultra Marathon which would leave from Constantia Nek and be mainly along our path. Last night I read they would go to the Blockhouse and beyond and then come down to the city. My thought was they may pass us, but I didn’t think how well this would work out for us. Their route was clearly marked with flags. We just needed to follow the flags & so that was what we did. They were a Godsend.
What it also meant is there were marshalls & security along the way. We had chosen the exact right day to do this hike – we wouldn’t get lost or mugged!ย We were on the right track – Smuts Track..
We got to the turn-off…
And it was here that the going got tough. To go from Kirstenbosch to Newlands Forest you have to climb. We are not afraid of steps but the unexpectedness and number of these were enough to challenge even us!
They went on and on and on…
Eventually, I stopped taking photos of them. We did meet very interesting people and had a number of chats along the way. We soon got over the worst of them and got a gap where we could see the view of Kirstenbosch below.
All this time, we hadn’t had breakfast. We were hoping to arrive at the bench. We had been walking for more than 2 hours. Up the endless steps, over a lot of rocks (so grateful for the flags) and past the ‘rocky scree’ which was on the map and looked like this…remnants of a serious rockfall.
Finally, the bench was in sight. Just before it was this map….the red arrows I’ve put in to show how far we’d come.
With the map was this sign….
If we were 2 hours from Rhodes Memorial, we were 3 hours from our destination. But first breakfast! We got to the bench and ate! I took this photo at 9.41am, 3 hours after starting.
With tummies full, we set off – initially, very slowly and sluggishly. Our blood supply now had divide loyalties – it had food to digest and so our leg muscles took second place. For about an hour, we felt particularly slow! But it was onwards and upwards.
The path was well marked, shady and easy walking….and it wasn’t long when we reached the stile…go right here for Rhodes Memorial. Go through the stile for the Blockhouse.
Through the stile, up the road, following the flags which took the short cut to King’s Blockhouse.ย It was 10.55am when I took this photo. Funny story, with my sunglasses on, I thought the big bush was the blockhouse. I only got the corner of it.
At this point, we were feeling really good. We were amazed we had got so far. The runners were now coming through and along the Contour path between the Blockhouse and Tafelberg Road, we did a lot of clapping and encouraging.
As we progressed, we went under Woodstock Cave….
And got to the trees…
And the view was spectacular…
We made our way down to the road, while the runners continued on the mountain. And soon we were here!
I set up my cell phone and put the timer on…
David was there to collect us and take us back to the beginning. The only issue was, there are roadworks on Table Mountain Road, so we walked down to him.
It took us 5 hours and 52 minutes and ended up being 25.08km!
When we were in the car, I glanced down at my watch and laughed. “Check your steps” I said to Mike. He looked at his watch and he found it hilarious. Never before have we seen so many – 31000 steps!
So, if someone is every Googling, ‘how far is it from Constantia Nek to Table Mountain Rd’,ย or “how far is it along the contour path from Constantia Nek to the Cableway”, it’s 25km. It was more than double the distance of when we climbed Table Mountain but it wasn’t as hard.
Those flags had me thinking….we go through life, trying to find our way. God never leaves us without flags to direct our path. They may not be there all the time, but they are there. Today’s flags were such a help. We knew exactly where to go.ย God’s grace on the contour path that’s for sure.
1 Peter 1:25
But the word of the Lord remains forever
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx ๐