I think I could actually say that this is definitely one of my favourite places on the planet. Just a short walk (about 45 minutes) – a round trip from the Silvermine car park of about 4km – the pay-off on a perfect day as this, is nothing less than spectacular. On top of the world!
And just so peaceful. No sound of traffic….with hardly a breath of wind. The only sound to be had far in the distance was the sound of the sea.
Wow! It doesn’t get better than that. There were a few people on the mountain, but not many stop at this spot. It’s a treat.
Talking of mountain walks. As part of our honeymoon in 1986, Mike and I walked the Otter Trail. A couple of years later, Julian did as well. We’d all like to do it again, so we have made inquiries and are now setting about planning it. From the Sanparks website, I got this information: This is a 5 day hiking trail which starts at the Storms River Mouth rest camp and ends at the small resort village of Natures Valley in the de Vasselot section of the park. The total distance for the trail is 42km. The trail hugs the Tsitsikamma coast close to the pounding surf and zigzags – where the coastal plateau rises to elevation of 200 metres and cliffs drops steeply into the sea.
When we did it way back in the day, it wasn’t quite so regulated as it seems to be now. There were no daily conservation fees, wild cards or, from what I can remember, escape routes. You had to just get on and do it. There were also no cell phones, so you pretty much were out of contact for the duration of the 5 days. Sounds pretty spectacular to me. I’m very keen! I remember it being quite mountainous in places and pretty easy in others. Whether on a mountain top or at sea level, the scenery was wonderful.
The breakdown of the days:
- Day 1 = 4.8km
- Day 2 = 7.9km
- Day 3 = 7.7km
- Day 4 = 13.8km
- Day 5 = 6.8km
- Total Distance = 42.5km
I think I’m fit enough. I remember day 4 well. That’s the day you have to cross the Bloukrans River which at high spring tide could be fraught with difficulty. When we walked the Otter, on day for we broke camp early and we left at about 5am to get to the river for low tide at about 9am. Low tide it was. We hardly needed to take off our boots to get across and it turned out to be a complete anti-climax. We didn’t mind. Rather that that a roaring unpassable river!
The other memory I have of the Otter Trail was some pretty dreadful food. Mike was in charge of the menu and he loaded us up with packets of soy products to which you could add water. Gross. I’ve never recovered. 😀 If we do this again, I absolutely will have a say in the menu. We did take eggs and bacon and I recall having a couple of delish breakfasts with that! Biltong and a couple of tins will have to carry us through next time.
I’m in!
I found Isaiah 41:9-10 in an old diary today:
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said you are my servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you ; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Be encouraged!
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂