13 October 2007    to      14 October 2007

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This months hike took us to one of our old favorites, namely Serendipity again. We had done it last year last and at that time the country was in the grip of a serious drought. However after the recent rains we have had, we were in for a pleasant surprise. On entering the farm we soon came across some game.

Both the base camp and the overnight hut are were very clean and comfortable.

The usual braai followed on arrival. Sue the "Tenderized hiker" joined us later on in the evening.

The weather forecast had been for cloudy weather but it turned into a very hot and sunny weekend. After breakfast we were off.

This area also seems to have received a lot of rain so most of the little streams were flowing.

The area is quite hilly and so its up one and down the other side followed by the next one and so on...

Sue trying to negotiate a high sty.

A break next to a pool.

The area was starting to turn green after the last rains.

The big descent past a fever tree.

We had lunch at our favorite spot. At this point it got extremely hot so we were glad to finally get here. There is a huge wild fig tree here for shade and the little stream was flowing nicely.

After lunch the trail takes one along a small valley. Here Sue could not resist swimming in one of the bigger pools with baboons looking down in amazement from the cliffs above....after all, how many times in their lives have they seen a "Tenderized hiker" swimming...?

The trail eventually exits the valley and runs next to a dam.

Past the dam a short stretch through indigenous forest follows.

Nearly there....

The overnight hut sits on top of a small cliff and is open in front making the views really great!

Next morning we got going early.

The second day is also quite long.

By about midday it got very hot again but fortunately there were some very nice pools along the way.