"Teach us to care and not to care" T S Eliot

The interplay of morning light, a cool breeze, the flat calm sea, a marvellous path and companionship made for a walk to delight in and to remember.

The contour path on the western side of Table Mountain, starts at the Kloof Nek parking, passes beneath the Apostles with quite extraordinary views across to Lions Head, Camps Bay and out to sea.

The walk is at about 300m above sea-level, essentially flat until it runs into the Slangolie Ravine, a natural turning point after 5km. Water and an apple and the return walk with its just as impressive vistas.

Natalie shared a line from T S Eliot's Ash Wednesday, 'Teach us to care and not to care'. 
I have cared about the preparation and the commitment to my walking this year. The real learning for me will be to get to the 15th August, take my first step of the 301km and to not care, to let go.

• Walking log: 3 May

10 km hike along the Pipe Track Walk on the Camps Bay side of Table Mountain. 

Felt good the whole way.

Walking companion: Natalie Uren

Total kilometres to date: 806

Late afternoon stroll

The view from my couch here in Cape Town.

I looked at the late afternoon light and put shoes on to walk around the Common before settling down for the evening.

• Walking log: 2 May

So nice to stretch my legs after yesterday's hike. 3km easy walk.

Total kilometres to date: 796

Fynbos hike, Cape Point

At midday we set off from the parking at Olifantsbos, Cape Point, to hike the 3 hour Sirkelsvlei trail.

I had followed the devastating Cape Town fires a few months ago but seeing the impact firsthand is shocking. The landscape is scorched, barren and still smells of a disused fireplace.

We did hike up and through the burn zone into fynbos which quite beautiful. The trail is rocky, sandy and undulating which made for a good challenging hike.

The interior vlei was a surprise as were the interesting rock arches along the route.

• Walking log: 1 May

8km Sirkelsvlei circular hike through the fynbos at Cape Point. 

Strong walking, at times my feet slipped or twisted in my shoes but otherwise felt good.

Total kilometres to date: 793

On the beach with Baboons

Setting off early this morning at Olifantsbos, Cape Point, we were hoping for a sighting of the Pacific Golden Plover that had been seen during the past week.

The path is a beauty, leading through the fynbos to the beach.

We had no luck with the bird, but the stroll along the beach and rocky shoreline was lovely.

To walk among a troop of baboons is remarkable. They were digging for roots in the sand and quietly moved away as we approached.

• Walking log: 1 May

A slow 3km along the shoreline while birding.

Total kilometres to date: 785

Transitioning - Cape Town

Our road trip has taken us walking in the Karoo, around Greyton, along the shore at Hermanus and we are now in Cape Town.

We took Sharon to our favourite seaside stroll from Muizenburg to St James. It was an all weather walk, a little sun and a little rain, but nothing a good breakfast and coffee did not make right.

We dipped on a sighting of the mega rarity, a Citrine Wagtail, that has been showing at the Strandfontein Sewage Works, so took a quick speed walk around the Common and I now feel settled into our Cape Town flat.

• Walking log: 30th April

3km St James walk.

Walking companion: Sharon Jansen

Total kilometres to date: 729

3km speed walking around the Rondebosch Common

Total kilometres to date: 782

Walking the Hermanus Cliff Path

Views from the Cliff Path in Hermanus

A couple of days of lovely morning walks along the Cliff Path. These autumn days in the Cape are near perfect.

• Walking log: 27th and 28th April

12 km of wonderful walking along the concrete path following the cliffs along the seashore.

Walking companions: Natalie Uren, Bev Edkins and Sharon Jansen

Total kilometres to date: 723

• Walking log: 29th April

3km walk around the Rondebosch Common.

Walking companion: Sharon Jansen

Total kilometres to date: 726

Sunday morning in Greyton

Another quite beautiful autumn morning in the Overberg. A gentle walk around the farm felt just right after a night of learning to salsa - glad I only have to walk, I am no dancer.

I am listening to the Spurwing Geese as they fly over, the guineafowls in the fields and Di is frying up a cooked breakfast.

Quite marvellous.

• Walking log: 26th April

4km walk with a steep ascent.

Total kilometres to date: 711

A walk in Greyton and we pass the 700km milestone

Bucolic Greyton, Brian and Fred on the path 

Setting off this morning with Bri and Di across the fields from Dwarskloof Farm.

The grass was still damp with the dew, a light breeze, a Denham's Bustard flying overhead and a rather distressing Secretarybird caught in the barb wire fence, what a horrible way to die.

But still idyllic to be here.

The plan was to head up and over Leurkop to get into town but there was no obvious path so we joined up with the dirt road into Greyton instead.

The village was busy and the market bustling. Fred bought some lovely woven rugs for the newly renovated entertainment space in Norwood.

We felt strong after the 10km walk, so after scrambled eggs and coffee at Via's, we decided to walk back.

What a different perspective, mostly uphill, very windy, midday heat, so I felt most of the next 9km, or as Fred calls it the 'back nine'!

But I am always entertained by Fred and the cows along the way.... here's to getting to 1000km of preparation for my Eco Ventures Ultra Walk in August.

• Walking log: 25th April

19km along the back roads of Dwarskloof Pass to Greyton and back from Swallow Hill Winery.
Upper body felt tired along the last few kilometres, but feet were fine. 

Feel good after a lengthy shower and a mug of tea, and my achy body is a testament to a fine walk.

Walking companions: Bri and Di Dawes

Total kilometres to date: 707

A morning on a Karoo Farm

Our usual go to stop for an overnight in the Karoo was fully booked, so we ended up on a farm just outside Beaufort West. I did miss the walking at Steenbokkie Nature Reserve but it was interesting to wake up and walk around a seed farm.

The farmer buys in onions, spring onions or carrots and grows them for seeds for a seed merchant. A first for Fred and I.

We did a brisk walk along the road to stretch our legs before the next leg of the road trip to Cape Town.

Of course, all walks are really about finding that good cup of coffee, which we did at our stop in De Rust. The Village Trading Post is a gem with delicious food.

• Walking log: 24th April

5km quick walk, fresh Karoo air.

Total kilometres to date: 688

Now onto Greyton for a walk.

Speed walk to the dentist

My ongoing commitment to 'Physical time' – Taking time to move and let your body be active

Back in Johannesburg.
Back to pounding pavements.
Used the dentist as the destination for a walk to Melrose Arch this morning.

• Walking log: 21st April

10km, some at speed.

Total kilometres to date: 677

• Walking log: 22nd April

6km walk to do my banking admin rather than driving.

Total kilometres to date: 683

Magaliesberg Walking: Balancing Rocks

Quite wonderful rock structures along our walk

Such a restful place.

View from 'Mushroom Rock' towards Buffelspoort Dam, Magaliesberg.

Endless views while sitting on the deck, a fireside chat around the boma, sharing stories, a lovely time to check in with friends.

Sunday morning was overcast, but fortunately no sign of rain so we headed out for a walk this time to the ridge to see some of the quite fantastical balancing rocks.

• Walking log: 19th April

9km hike, a good power walk up some steep inclines, up and down a small ravine and over to the plateau of the magnificent gorge.
Great walking, we all felt energised and strong.

Walking companion: Phil Ridgwell

Total kilometres to date: 667

Pleasure of walking from Utopia into the Tonquani/Cedarberg Gorge in the Magaliesberg

Magaliesberg Walking: Boulders Kloof

Early morning wake up, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and on the deck with Phil at Utopia watching the sun rising behind the mist and clouds over the Magaliesberg.

It was a perfect morning for a walk, not cold not hot and in a quite beautiful place.

As we walked Phil showed us some of the local flora, like the rather bizarre Orbea flower and the wonderful form of the Aloe Peglari.

The walking was challenging, rocky veld and I had to watch my footing all the time but what a pleasure to be out in nature with no one else in sight.

• Walking log: 18th April

7km hike to the Boulder's Kloof from Utopia along the ridge of the gorge.

Walking companion: Phil Ridgwell

Total kilometres to date: 658

Plants along our walks in the Magaliesberg

Low Intensity Steady State

Interesting insight from Shawni this morning about walking: