Neville & Two Die-Hards; Advertisement
Last month you may have
seen a photograph in the Link section of The Witness with a group of our hikers
settling down for the night in Whytes Cave.
The caption gave useful information about our club activities and
contact details. We have also taken delivery of an eye-catching teardrop banner
in green, black and white with our club name, logo and website address. Over
the next few months we will be distributing 400 printed flyers advertising our
activities. These are our current initiatives to reach out and attract more
outdoor-loving people to join us in doing what we enjoy most, and that is
hiking, camping, backpacking and mountain-biking in this beautiful province of
ours.
In recent times attendance
at our outdoor activities has not been as good as we would like it to be so we
are implementing a drive to increase our membership. Our objective going
forward is to be more visible and we will be marketing our activities by
developing a recognisable brand that should not only raise awareness but also
stimulate interest. We will be displaying our new banner wherever we can market
our club activities especially at our camping weekends. We will also have it
displayed at our Christmas Party and we may even use it to market our
activities at the local Morning Markets or Flea Markets.
If you have any other ideas
or would like to borrow the banner then please contact me. It is collapsible
and comes in a handy light weight carry bag too.
Through the print media our
club PRO, Rose Dix, has been regularly informing the public of our outdoor
activities and has done well with attracting new members over the past few
years. To assist with increasing awareness in the Midlands area we have now
roped in Bernice Mastross. Bernice is an
educator at Grace College in Hilton. Rose and Bernice can be contacted at
0825648638 and 033 343 1025 respectively.
We made a good start with
our activities in the fourth quarter. On 3 October Bushy Kirby lead an
enthusiastic group of 8 from Campbell Mackenzie’s farm to an historic stone
cottage on the Baynesfield Estate. This was a 15km round trip starting with an
ascent to the beacon through a timber plantation, indigenous forest and
grasslands where our hard work was rewarded with scenic views across the
estate. Included was a detour to a 30m
high waterfall.
Over 30 hikers joined Rob
King on a combined hike with Durban Ramblers. The hike started at Adamshurst
farm and headed out over the hill to the western shoreline of Midmar dam. 10
October was an unusually hot day for this time of the year and those that came
along under-prepared were unfortunately caught short of water.
Then we have had a bit of a
bad patch. Both the hikes to Pinnacle Rock, to be lead by Dave Sclanders, and
to Tarn Cave, to be lead by Allison Gunning, were cancelled due to low numbers.
The hike from Crossways Hotel to World’s View went ahead with Neville Lee
despite a poor turnout. Similarly, John Fourie was forced to cancel his hike to
Inhlosane mountain on 7 November. This attractive mountain with spectacular 360o
views is the backdrop to the Everglades Hotel in the Dargle Valley district and
is well worth a try.
Despite the disappointing
support we will continue to arrange a variety of activities, working through
our list of preferred venues. We have
introduced the Bring-a-buddy concept to encourage you
to bring along your friends. They are always
welcome.
The 5 November weekend at Sweetwaters
Cottage near Drakensberg Gardens was fully booked. This comfortable and affordable
accommodation together with Keith & Margaret Ashton’s hospitality makes for an enjoyable
weekend. With beautiful natural pools in the river nearby it is no wonder that
this cottage is always a popular outing for our members.
For the 12 November weekend
we will be camping at the Didima camp site near the Cathedral Peak Hotel. This
is a lovely new camp site with power points and 5 star ablutions. A drive up
Mike’s Pass in a 4X4 vehicle and a walk or ride along the jeep tracks,
constructed to support forestry activities many years ago, is on the
programme.
Allison will be leading a hike to the top of Table
Mountain on Sunday 21 November and the following weekend we will be joining
other hikers at the Boston T-Party.
As you can see we have
arranged a full programme of activities leading up to the Christmas Party on
Sunday 5 December at Minerva Heights overlooking Byrne Valley. This is going to
be a party with a difference because we offer our members the option of
arriving on the Saturday and spending the night at Andersons Cottage.
Why not just park off at
the cottage and simply enjoy the scenery or join a leisurely walk or
mountain-bike ride. For the more energetic, a group of members will be leaving
Pietermaritzburg at 7:30 on Saturday 4 December on their mountain bikes and
riding to Anderson’s Cottage. The 50 km route along largely gravel roads starts
at Bisley Nature Reserve , heads out towards
Thornville Junction and through to Baynesfield. It then climbs gradually
through a plantation for about 13 km to Minerva Heights on the watershed
between the Umlaas and Umkomaas River catchments. Should you feel fit
enough to join the casual ride then contact me. Anybody wishing to overnight at
Anderson’s Cottage should make your reservation early with Libby because there
is limited accommodation. Libby can be contacted on 073 232 1990.
The Strandloper Trail over
the Easter weekend is definitely on and will be lead by John Fourie. We had a
very good response with the 12 places taken up within a fortnight of the
advance notice. However we will take a further five names to place on a standby
list to fill the gaps should some find the need to withdraw. We could even
consider a second group following one day behind? Our strategy is to organise
at least two such trails over the next 12 months so we will be arranging
another trail later in the year. Should you be keen then keep an eye on this
one.
See you soon. Brian Henwood (082 655 6359/033 347
1126 evenings)
This year’s Christmas
Party is scheduled for 5 December at Anderson’s Museum, Minerva Heights.
Directions are drive
through Richmond to Byrne Valley. About
2 km past The Oaks Hotel turn right into Minerva Nature Reserve. Drive to the top of the hill and look out for
our flag. Braai fires will be provided
under cover. Bring your own braai meat,
salads, chairs, table, liquid refreshments and any other edible goodies you may
fancy. Entrance costs R30 per person and
you are also requested to bring a small gift.
A short hike commences at 10h00, so bring suitable boots/shoes. For the really energetic one can cycle from
PMBurg on the Saturday and stay over-night at Anderson Cottage at a cost of R120
per person. Booking
advisable. Please advise Irene
Wisdom on 033 344 1464 or 082 575 4978 or e-mail Irene@pid.co.za of whether you will be attending Thank you..
TARN CAVE
FROM BUSHMAN'S NEK - SAT-SUN 17-18 JULY Hettie Randall
Participants
: Keith Ashton (Leader), Margaret
Ashton, Sebastian Szur, George Archibald, Irene Wisdom, Sheldon Bode, Sonya
Jansen van Vuuren & Hettie Randall.
To
fully relate to my anticipation and enjoyment of over-nighting in Tarn Cave, I
need to go back a bit and tell the story of a new life I have made for myself,
far, far removed from my beloved mountains.
After
31 years of managerial responsibility and accountability, I broke the chains of
mediocrity and left my desk, finally, for a life of travelling abroad.
With my home in the care of strangers, its contents in storage, I left SA with
a bag of personals, high expectations and very little money.
I
worked as a "Carer of Vulnerable Elderly" for 2 week stretches and
explored for a week. I got to see a lot of new technology, new
advancements, a very different lifestyle, different
culture, enjoyed the countryside and marveled at the incredibly ancient history
of England. Time was spent too in Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante,
Bordeaux, Brugge and Amsterdam, all an easy and affordable distance with no
border controls or bureaucracy to impede the free flow of travel in the EU.
Of
course it wouldn't be true to give the impression that I was on a lifelong
holiday! The Vulnerable Elderly are a challenging bunch. With my
management skills, I was not qualified to deal with any of the geriatric trials
and tribulations of daily life. In fact I found myself rooted to the spot
many times when faced with personal habits I was expected to assist with.
One lady who needs special mention, was very
particular about cleanliness and would bend over for inspection and my
approval, every morning after her wash, before pulling up her drawers!
I
have come to realise that a lot of what I felt uncomfortable with, was
considered perfectly acceptable behaviour by my more hardened and experienced
colleagues. I just had to toughen up!
Through
the sad times (and there were sad times, home and family are at the centre of
values, trust me), I hungrily read news from SA on e-mail. My hiking buddy,
Irene Wisdom, kept me up to date on the mountains with pictures of flowing
streams, magnificent views and familiar faces.
On
arriving home after 7 months, my priority was to get onto the hiking schedule
and go hiking. This I did with an overnight hike to Tarn Cave. I
had walked the path from Sehlabathebi many, many times and stood in the cave
mouth overlooking the valley far below, but I had never sat, laid out on the
cave floor, hot drink in hand, with the last of the sun's rays washing
over me through the Devil's Knuckles, illuminating them as if they were
sanctified, setting the young sapling that grows
in the centre of the cave mouth, alight, like a candle at the close of
day. I was home!
As
always, there was evening entertainment laid on by my fellow hikers, stories
that brought laughter and information that I would never have learned anywhere
else.
Early
to bed early to rise, saw a few bravehearts go out to greet the dawn. As
for the rest of us, playing with the several inch thick slabs of ice on the
Tarns on the way back, was brave enough. How we
had survived the night's sub zero temperatures, which had created these frozen
pools we were playing on, I thought we were all heroes.
A wonderful hike under blue skies, hard to beat
accommodation and fabulously entertaining company.
It's going to be tough leaving it behind again as I set sail for my next
sojourn abroad. Thanks guys!
BYRNE HIKE ON THE 8th
AUGUST 2010 Diane Tighe
Joint Midlands & MBC hike from farmhouse Minerva Heights in the Byrne area.
HIKERS: Leader: Dave T - Craig, Ron, Ace, Angie, Max, Richard, Yuriy,
Donelle, Kathy, Desiree, Neville, Bridget, Mike, Peter, Dave H, Sebastian.
After the crisp winter morning meeting point at Settlers Church, Byrne, we went
in convoy to Minerva Cottage/Farmhouse, where we parked our vehicles and began
our day along a rough 4x4 track on a steady uphill grade known as Cunningham
Castle, to a lookout point with a good view of the beautiful Byrne valley. On a clear day the whole of the Southern
Drakensberg is seen from this point.
The track then rises to the highest point of this hike, the relay masts
which are 1556m above sea level. Whilst
only 100km from the sea it has an occasional heavy snow fall in winter when
conditions permit and is well worth a visit.
The weather was already warming up and it promised to be a magnificent
day.
The route turned west and entered Newborough Grange property to follow
the Nyamakazi Ridge as far as Vultures Rock, then descended a short pass and
into Zeelies Plantation, passing under Wattle, Blue gum, and Pine trees for
about 2km. Leaving the plantation we
re-entered Minerva Heights Nature Reserve, wending our way past Porcupine dam
[known for viewing Porcupines late at night].
The route we took climbed back through grasslands where we noted a herd
of Bless buck, before returning to the main 4x4 track.
As lunch was due we entered the Indigenous forest along the Woodcutters trail
to a cool spot, which proved to be a good choice as it had warmed up
considerably. The bird life in the forest was welcome company while we ate and
chatted. After lunch we headed for Picnic rock, below which the exploration of
the caves added an exciting dimension to this hike - the group thoroughly enjoyed the experience, climbing down (and back
up of course) the very sturdily constructed chain ladders. It was well worth
the effort, and it was fabulous to hear of some of the rich history of the
caves from Dave.
The hike back to the farmhouse went by in a flash, with the
"striders" of the group being able to stretch their legs and the
"strollers" enjoying a more leisurely pace. Unfortunately Kathy's hiking boot had a
blowout - thankfully Dave came to the rescue with extra insulation tape. Ron developed a very large blister under his
toe, which forced him into "straggler" mode near the end of the
hike. We all arrived safely back at the farmhouse in plenty of time to
visit the museum, which is an added and entertaining bonus to this hike with
its very good collection of exhibits on display, some depicting the history of
this area. Feedback
from the variety of different nationalities that made up the group was that
they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to many more. A BIG thank you to Dave
and all those who help him with the hard work of keeping the trails cut and
viable for enthusiastic hikers.
NEVILLE & THE TWO DIE-HARDS!! Christie Exall
Worlds
View Day Hike – Sun 24 Oct 2010 – Leader Neville Lee
I
felt very sorry for Neville on Sunday when only two hikers turned up. It was me, of course, and a non-hiker Cindy
(puts all the hikers to shame!).
Neville sms’d me to say that the weather was O K, nice for hiking
(better than the sun and heat). We
waited until 09h10, nobody else (shame on all the Sunday hikers!) arrived. He then gave us the option to pull
out!! We were adamant that we wanted to
hike. Then it started to rain but we set off.
When we reached World’s View it was pouring but we carried on in the rain. I loved it.
We had our usual break in the tunnel.
The
sun broke through slightly and we negotiated the up-hills. There has been a lot of cutting down of
timber so the landscape had changed a bit and we tried all sorts of ways back
to the dreaded tar road. Got slightly
lost, spotted a person walking at the back of his property, because we were
fenced off from the road, he let us pass through his property /and we did a
long uphill haul along the Old Howick Road.
I
think we gelled very well and Cindy was marvellous wearing trainers and
navigating the very slippery and muddy paths.
Back
at Crossways Neville rewarded us with beers for Cindy and himself and coffee
for me. The two of them were downing
several beers by the time I left. All in all a good hike taking the conditions in consideration.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
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