Our group was made up of 6 adults and 4 teenagers (the next generation hikers). I don’t know about Carol and Joshua, but I had to practically beg Cole to do this hike. After the 24km Kogelberg Trail, he had sworn that he would never again do another hike. This being said, he and Taylor (his cousin) really pushed themselves on this hike, leaving the rest of us in their wake!
We decided to do the 13km the first day, over mountainous terrain for the most part, with stunning views of False Bay. The first day’s trail had us going up and down continuously, with a short stint along the beaches of Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay.
We met a few of our forefathers at Bordjiesrif, where as usual, they were trying their level best to relieve day visitors of their food.
Then it was on to Buffels Bay, which has become a popular surfing site. Big waves rushing to the rocky shores, make this an ideal spot for surfers and onlookers alike. As one wave after another crashed down on the daredevil surfers, we made our way to Rooikrans: a gentle uphill that would take us to the carpark below the overnight huts. Then a deep breath by all and a final surge to the overnight huts where the kids proceeded to build themselves a shelter, while the adults prepared for a cold night.
Just when we thought we could rest until the next day’s hike, we realized that Roger would not be able to bring our food up to the hut , which meant we had to trek the 800m or so to the bottom boom with our empty packs, fill it at the bottom and carry it back up. It was hard work, but it was a case of either sweat or starve!!
Because it was so cold that evening, we did not make full use of the beautiful view, opting to rather stay indoors, except for Ferdie and Taylor, who braved the icy wind to braai our supper. Thanks you two!!
Then we settled down to a feast. Because we had soo much food, we encouraged everyone to eat as much as possible because what we did not eat, we would have to carry…that sure spurred on the teenagers! Where do they put all the food??...we wondered…they were scrawny creatures, with no spare fat….
After a SSS (Sh!t, shower and shave) as well as some muscadel and red wine which we helped relieve Cedric of, we all tucked into our sleeping bags for a well-deserved sleep.
Morning greeted us, all cold and damp-like! But after finally agreeing that we would complete the hike, although by taking a shorter route (17km instead of 20.5km), we were packed and ready for action. Down the road, that was the bane of our existence the previous day, along the coast, onto an endless stretch of white dunes, we made our way to the Main Gate.
Een ding is een ding, but I can tell you, when I reached the top of that first uphill,close to the end, thinking it’s all the way down to the gate from here, I walked around the corner and my heart sank. In front of me loomed another serious-looking uphill. What can you do? Well I just let out a big sigh, pulled up my Big Girl Panties and carried on.
Later Cole asked me, “Mommy, why do you enjoy hiking so much, cos it’s hard work?”, I thought about giving him the whole self-enrichment speech then opted for, “BECAUSE I LOVE IT!!!!”
Posted on behalf of Melanie Le Grange
Splish! splash! 
Splish! splash! 
I like the views from my 
My very first 
Julle loer nog?
