As per usual, when leading river swims and hikes, the weather is a huge factor on what the day will bring, Saturday was no exception. A thunder storm rumbled, and lightening lit the sky on Friday afternoon dumping a bit more water than usual into the Kaaimans. Undeterred, 12 members and 4 visitors hit the trail from Saasveld campus and headed to the river via the start of the Groeneweide Trail. After crossing the river, we headed up to the weir and pump station.
There is a lot of criss-crossing of the river either on rocks or sandy bottom. Those fortunate enough to have long legs managed to get their knees wet but the shorties were wading waist high in a few spots. The rocks were slippery in places with a bit of slipping and sliding and the occasional fall taking place.
Fortunately, broken bones, stretched tendons or ligaments were avoided, bruises however may have surfaced on Sunday.
Where possible, we would leave the river and walk along the bank which was grassy or rocky underfoot. Evie decided to swim along the way while the rest of us had a bite to eat and drink. After about 3-4 hours in the river the pump station was in sight and a very bedraggled but unscathed group exited the water.
Both soles on Evie’s shoes decided to part company and were held together by Karin’s spare shoe laces. Wendy’s shorts were so tattered and torn they were abandoned on the way, leaving her to walk out in her costume, Eugene also had a sole problem but managed to keep his sole intact for the duration of the walk.
On arrival at the weir it was swim time for most of us and we gingerly slid in the clean, soft water and swam through the narrow gorge to the small waterfall and back. After lunch and a short snooze in the sun (no guesses for who that was), we hiked up to the main road going past the student houses, and to the campus.
As we approached our cars the heavens opened and had us scurrying in all directions to prevent getting wet!!! After hurried goodbyes, see you soons and wet air kisses, we ended a most satisfactory day.
The people crazy enough to join me on an overcast day with rain threatening were Charles and Lindsay Smith, Avril and Eugene Fichardt, Fred van Berkel, Clive Louw, Maretha Alant and friend Marina, Lezlie Jenkinson and friend Katey, Karin van Niekerk, Tony and Evie Bowen, Wendy Thompson, Terry Hime, Greg and Cheryl Devine (meet leader).
A big thanks to Greg for leading the back markers in the right direction and for picking out so many black wattle and
blackwood seedlings along the way.
Cheryl Devine – meet leader