What a treat this past two weekends, after a long time not being in the mountains.

The last time I did a difficult trail was over six months ago. I was worried I won’t be able to finish 10km easily, but I did with ease, I guess the girl still got it. The first three kilometers were hectic, we kept on hoping to get to the flat surface it was not happening.  I have been here before, but it has been a while. I forgot how long the steep was with huge rocks to maneuver. In my head I kept on thinking where is a chicken run route, 😀 knowing exactly that I won’t even take it. Mind over matter shenanigans.

If you have read my previous blogs, I have written about this place before, like I have done so many times with other places. It is amazing how different stories come out of the same place, love it. The hiking trail is a two part farm, you start hiking from the Noble Village side that’s where you find restaurants, obstacle courses where you can do team building activities or just groups of people who want to have fun. Also 4*4 trails along the hiking trail proceeding into another farm Sable Ranch. Sable Ranch has beautiful Sables of course and accommodation to stay over. This time we spotted Zebra and baboons. What we get to experience in these mountains is a treat. After we hiked I looked at the people we found at the restaurant who just came to eat and I was thinking to myself; ‘I know you are in this beautiful peaceful space but we saw way better.’Anyway different things for different people right!.✅

I was invited by Pumza, partner in shenanigans, to join her hiking group.  I love the dynamics of that group, you never know what you getting every time you are with them. Without fail I always meet new people. The rest I have not seen in over six months and they were happy to see me, so was I, nothing but love. I made Pumza late because I wanted us to pass by our favourite petrol station to get best fat cakes. I spoke to her during that week that this past winter I didn’t get to hike towards that part of town, therefore we have to go buy them one last time. Can I tell you by the time we finished talking about these fatcakes almost everyone wanted directions to the fatcake place. LOL. One thing about fat cakes, they taste better during winter, summer nahh.

There are two of my favorites spots on this property;  a lovely peaceful dam surrounded by green grass and there is outdoor furniture next to the dam and it’s quite inviting ☺️. It is so gorgeous I always picture myself seating there all by myself with a book and watching sunset. We chilled there and took pictures and fooled around a bit : another spot is a picnic spot, situated under these large and amazing huge , it has fireplace to use for braai also kitchenet of some sort. The shade and free aircon under those trees are great.

When we finished our hike, we literally took over the parking lot, opened car boots, camping chairs out and great conversations kept on going. After an hour I decided I wanted to go to our favourite spot, in haarties, it is a 35 to 40 minute drive from where we were. Everyone thought we were crazy, but yet again they know that the two of us together can drive around the whole day without care of time. We got to the farmers market, got some lunch and did some shopping and off we went. Lovely day well spent, my body, soul, mind were very happy. Mission accomplished.

Until next time Fabtastic People

Moira

Modderfontein

It was a cold icy Johannesburg morning, another Saturday morning spent with nature. It is always a daunting task for me to get out of bed during winter to go hike. However, as soon as I am up, I forget all about warm blankets. I think am not a morning person, I don’t know, still trying to figure that one out. Maybe I am disciplined in what I enjoy doing, I can sacrifice my warm bed for better. LOL.

This day was no different, got up early, still dark and way we went for another beautiful morning. As soon as we got to the farm, I was blown away by the beauty of sunrise through the fog. The experience of someone who get to these spots very early verses someone who arrive an hour or two later is different. I get to experience the sunrise, even better during winter, fog and mist. It’s picture perfect. It’s the small things for me, the rest is just a bonus. The tranquility of it all, fresh air, quietness. The best escape ever, cannot compare.

Modderfontien is surrounded by lovely dam, besides the hiking trail, people come through to fish and bird watch. There is also a market with different stalls including food stalls, it’s a nice touch to it.

I want to digress a bit and tell you why I named this piece “The Escape”, besides the obvious reason that hiking for me is my safe space to catch and release. The beauty of finding peace is that when life is lifing you, it lends easily because you are in a way ready for it. You know consciously or subconsciously but you just know. Writer’s block hit me for the past few months and no matter how hard I tried to finish this blog on my timeline, it was just not happening.  I allowed life to life me so that I get over it. Along with not blogging I was unable to hike for over two months which is unheard of ever since I started hiking.

This experience of the past few months made me realise how I was able to think positively even when the situation did not allow. I am proud of myself and continue to learn about myself.

I am mentally, physically, ready for the mountains again. Looking forward to my next adventure in the next week.

“The moment in front of you is not bothering you; you are bothering yourself about the moment that’s in front of you-Michael Singer

Until next time Fabtastic people

Moira

Part 1

It’s been a minute my Fabtastic people. I have missed connecting with you. I am back, the nippy weather in Johannesburg is hectic, but we match on.

I cannot believe it’s been five months of not climbing the mountains.  A quote by Howard Thurman came to mind. “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive.” Right now, Nature makes me come alive and it makes me happy. 

I decided to call on my spontaneous friend a few days before Saturday to go do a quick hike. She agreed so fast and she was happy that I am back to my normal self after my knee injury. Weirdly, I didn’t even get the knee injury from climbing mountains, lol. Anyway, I am healed and ready for adventure and shenanigans. 

I am so happy I put on my hiking boots again, life will sure throw curve balls your way. It is how you deal with those curve balls that will get you on the other side. It was great being outdoors, smelling fresh icy air, hearing birds chipping.

We went for a short hike, 5km, the weather was icy and cold, yet the sun was shining. We are in full swing of winter in Johannesburg, so it is expected. However, this is a hiker’s dream weather. Walter Sisulu is one of the most well-kept Botanical Garden in Gauteng. It is so immaculate and green. Beautiful sculptures and art all over the Garden, the best is their gorgeous waterfall.  I am always happy to pay my entrance fee because I can see where its going. Lol. There is a restaurant tucked in under trees and lots of plants, it is so refreshing to be around it. This garden is the bird watcher’s dream, I always find the bird watchers fascinating to watch. They have the biggest cameras and they look so expensive. 😀. I understand there is more that 200 bird species recorded onsite. This place is also great for picnicking, during summer off course.

Till next time Fabtastic People.

Moira