Ah, Van Gaalen, how I’ve missed you. It’s been ages since I last laced up my hiking boots and trekked those familiar paths, but there I was, back at it again. As I stood there, soaking in the fresh air, it hit me—wow, they’ve actually changed things around a bit! Gotta love when property owners take the time to revamp their spaces so regulars like me don’t get bored with the same old thing. Thank you, Van Gaalen, for keeping it fresh.🤩

But let’s be real, this hike wasn’t all about nature and scenery. Oh no, we had a co-hiker with us: my friend’s son, who—bless his heart—was in for quite the experience. The poor guy was dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning to hang with us. His idea of a weekend? Not exactly mid-life crisis storytelling with three women who were complaining about lack of sleep and every joint hurting from, you know, just existing. You could see the confusion in his eyes: Why am I here again?

Off we went for a quick 10km hike, which I use the term “quick” loosely. There were no hills, no gruelling hills—just a flat, breezy path to stretch our legs. As much as I’m into hiking for the challenge, this was more of a leisurely stroll. But hey, it wasn’t about the physical effort; it was about… well, the thoughts that came flooding in, catching and releasing, lighting the adulting load.

By the time we reached the end of the trail, the storm clouds started rolling in, and I couldn’t help but feel like it was a metaphor for life. Life, much like the weather, can change at any moment—sunny one minute, stormy the next. I started thinking about how important it is to make time for me. Like, for real time is precious, my fabtastic people. I realized that my time is my airtime, and I have the right to choose how I use it. It’s not about letting life just happen to you; it’s about being intentional with what you give your energy to.

In the end, we had a lovely “catch-and-release” experience in nature—no fish involved, but plenty of deep thoughts, lol, and “I’m getting too old for this” moments. And as for my friend’s son? Well, I think he survived the trauma of hearing about the good ol’ days and our midlife reflections. But hey, that’s what hiking with us are about, right? Getting out there, enjoying the views, and occasionally boring the younger generation with tales of creaky knees and “back in my day” stories.

Until next time Fabtastic People.

Moira (AirForce 1)

No Mercy, Just Views and Adventure

If you’re looking for a hiking experience that doesn’t allow you a single moment to catch your breath, the Iron Throne Trail in Hartebeespoort is calling your name. The trail is short—only 6.5 kilometres—but it’s anything but easy.

The first 4.5 kilometres? Pure torture😩. The trail takes you from zero to 100 without hesitation, with the steep climb making every step feel like you’re dragging your body up a mountain. It’s the kind of challenge where you feel like you’re climbing a never-ending hill. The great conversations were destructive. Every time you think you’re done; you turn a corner and realize you’re only getting higher. The only time you can catch your breath is for a few seconds as you round that corner, gearing up for more.

Despite the gruelling nature of the trail, I loved how it pushed my limits. The hike was a true test of endurance. I’m not exaggerating when I say my thighs were sore the next day—it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that level of burn.

What makes this trail even more bearable, though, is the shade that accompanies the climb. It’s shaded for most of the route, which is a small mercy in this brutally tough climb.

We completed the trail in almost three hours—about three times longer than our usual pace for a 6.5 km hike. But, hey, that’s what happens when the hike feels more like a 10 km struggle! 😅

But let’s talk about the views! Once you start to ascend (English🤣), the scenery changes with every step. The higher you climb, the better the panoramic 360-degree views of Hartebeespoort (or “Harties” as we call it). It’s a breathtaking sight, and if you can manage to drag your exhausted body to the top, it’s totally worth it.

Iron Throne is not just about the hike; it’s part of a larger adventure park that offers a variety of activities. From cable cars that swoop up and down as you hike, to mountain biking and an obstacle course, there’s something for everyone. I loved the sight of those cable cars gliding by, adding an extra touch of excitement as I trudged along.

Once you make it to the top, the setup is nothing short of impressive. There are plenty of seating areas, Lapas, and restaurants where you can relax, take in the views, and marvel at your achievement. I’ll admit, the temptation to take the cable car down was strong—so strong that I gave in last time. But this time, we were wise enough to not linger too long at the top before we started our descent. After all, going down is the easy part!

So, if you’re looking for a trail that tests your strength, pushes your limits, and offers amazing views in return, the Iron Throne Trail is definitely worth the challenge. Just don’t expect mercy—this trail means business.

Until next time Fabtastic People

Air-Force1 out: MoiraBottom of Form

Reflection time

Spontaneous hike it was, what a nice way to start the year!  I was minding my own business not even thinking about hiking any time soon. A friend of mine called me late Friday and said lets go hike.  I quickly said yes, say no more, where are we going.  Tossed a few names around and we finally decided on Kings Kloof. It was exciting for me because I hadn’t been to this hiking trail, two times I missed out when my crew were hiking on this trail.  I don’t know about you, but after hours of staring at office emails, typing kind regards, happy holidays when other people are on leave; my body was more than ready for something a little more… revitalising/refreshing.

Kings Kloof immediately went straight to my top favourite hiking trails. It is close by, yet it feels like you have left Gauteng.  We hiked 12km trail, easy and moderate. The property has multiple trail options, ranging from 6km to 21. I am looking forward to going back to hike 21km. I quicky forgot about the kind regards as soon as we started hiking. The air was cool and fresh, the ground a little damp, and the landscape… wow. The plants were so green and lush, it felt like I had walked into a different world. Every corner of the trail seemed like a new shade of green – it looked like someone sprayed the plants, they were so green and shiny. The whole experience was cinematic and had nice dramatic feel to it. But let’s talk about the trail’s real magic – the unexpected surprises. The first one that hit me was the gentle sound of water trickling in the distance. As we followed the trail, the sound grew louder, until we were greeted by a beautiful, serene stream weaving its way through the forest. We briefly quietly sat by the water stream and listened to the soothing sound of the stream. The water was crystal clear, gurgling over smooth rocks as if it was happily going about its business, unaware that it had just stolen the show. But the best surprise for me was A waterfall. Yes, a hidden gem tucked into the woods. It wasn’t one of those dramatic, roaring waterfalls but it was flowing so nicely, you could hear the sound coming around the corner.

 Anyone who hikes will tell you the best weather to be hiking is when is, not raining, not cold, not hot, just perfect. The rain had been playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, and let me tell you, it was magical, fabtastic. I am emphasizing on the gorgeous weather because I was reflecting on how just few weeks before this persistent rain, it was so hot in Gauteng. Plants were brown, it was dusty and horrible. Yet the few weeks of rain had changed all that into the opposite. It made me think of how the same applies to human life. 😊 Today can be a bad day and tomorrow turns around to be the best month or year of your life.

The kind of peace that come from being fully immersed in nature, away from distractions is priceless. It’s easy to forget how much we need that recharge, that reflection, that moment to step out of our bubble and just exist in the simplicity of it all.

So, yeah. If you haven’t hiked Kings Kloof, I would highly recommend it. You’ll come back feeling a little less “busy” and a whole lot more “alive.”

Until next time Fabtastic People.

Air Force1 signing out(Moira)