On Saturday morning I got up super early for the Walk for Wheels! An 18km walk from Gaansbai to Grotto Beach, Hermanus to raise money for the hospice that supported Woody's mum when she was dying.
And the proof that I got up early - this is earlier than I would do on a work day and not only that we are 2 hours ahead so thats 03:45 UK time.
We met on Grotto Beach for registration and then we got on 2 busses to take us the long way round via road to De Kelders.
We were dropped off at the entrance to the Nature Reserve where there was a run on the only toilet and some obligatory speeches before we were off!
It took awhile before we got down onto the beach and it was a mix of soft sand and interesting rock that had been windswept into looking like solidified water.
This is us dropping down towards the beach and Hermanus is in the distance.
It's a long way! 18km away....
You can see the rock surface here and how it drops away and down to the sea...
We were supposed to stop at 6k for a break but it was more like 4k.
There just happened to be some helpful rocks providing both seating and shade... we all topped up here with drinks and snacks that we had brought with us.
I spent the walk with a couple who are from Yorkshire who swallow here for the Summer/to avoid British winter most years but think this may be their last year as the travel gets too much. Keith and Zena have had some amazing walks and holidays and also appreciated the chance to go on this walk that we would never have done otherwise.
It was then another long steady trog to the next break which was at...
12k....
There were a lot of black oyster catchers around and often calling and trying to divert us away from their chicks who could not get away from us as they were often still downy and not really flying yet.
This chick was behind me on the rocks as we had our break and it's parents were on the sand between us and the sea torn between trying to lure us away or herding us. Hopefully they safely reunited on our departure.
The view was stunning looking back towards De Kelders and ahead to Hermanus...
Eventually we got back towards Grotto where I could see a landmark we normally use when walking the other way as our about turn point - 3 posts in the sand that we call the Meerkats as they look like three meerkats standing lookout. At this point I called the boys and let them know where I was and they came to the beach to meet me walking the other way....
Deja Vu - 12:49 - at the beginning again!
It ain't over til it's over.... got here now to walk the last bit to the car!
There was time to get home for a swift shower and change before we met David, Sam and Charlie at La Vierge for steak lunch. Here is a photo from the window of some passing baboons also hoping for a steak....
Afternoon was reading and resting my feet! Some blisters but feeling fine today.
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