Dargle Trails Festival 18.08.2018

I woke up in the early hours of this morning to the sounds of soft soaking rains on the roof.  The sound of rain on a corrugated iron roof is calming and therapeutic. I turned over and drifted off into a sound, content and peaceful sleep to be rudely awoken by my alarm.  It was time to get up and get going to the Dargle Trails Festival.  I switched off my alarm, listened to the rain and decided it would be too wet and dangerous to walk today.  So I turned over and decided I would go back to sleep!
A nagging thought crept into my consciousnesses. 

For those who can’t…….walk

What makes me drive for 105 kms and another 105 back home to walk 13 kms????

Because I can walk and there are others who cannot for reasons out of their control. For those who are limited in their physical activities I walk for you and I walk for me.  This is a virtual trip of the 13 kms I covered.  Let’s get to all the reasons why I walk and then we can walk…..
I am addicted to #LadyMavis adventures.  My favourite vehicle of all times is my dear Land Rover Discovery TDi 5 who is named after my dearest grandmother Mavis.  #LadyMavis takes me to destinations I would not ordinarily be able to get to with a normal vehicle.  She makes me feel safe and secure and I know whatever the condition of the road I will get there safely.

Raising funds and awareness for Rhinos.  In South Africa we have a scourge of despicable people who kill our beautiful animals for what…..because they believe that the horn will make them powerful sexually and otherwise.  I ask you how ridiculous is this thought.  May the karma that they generate by killing these beautiful animals be doubled back to them!  In the meantime while Karma is getting round to her duty we will be continuing to raise funds to eliminate these oxygen thieves.

And to be out in the fresh air doing what I love…..walking in the bush.   Walking in the outdoors and off the tar is a ‘drug’ for me.  It’s time out, it’s undisturbed, allowing me to refresh my brain, think, dream, plan and just be me.  We are so privileged to live within an our or a few hours from so many beautiful places.  One of these being Inanda Dam. 
Well done to the organisers of the Rhino Run. Had a blast and thoughly enjoyed every moment of the walk and the drive to and from Inanda Dam.

I have recently discovered trail walking.  I have watched the trail running events and often thought….’how I would love to visit that venue’ or ‘how I would love to do that event’ but I don’t run.  Then I found out that as a walker, albeit a slow walker, I can still participate.  So now I participate for me and for those who can’t.  I will blog on each of my walks, so that those who are unable to walk and enjoy the scenery as I can, are able to get a view of these beautiful places and enjoy the ‘walk’ virtually.
The walk started off along the shores of Inanda dam.  The water level is very low and has obviously been so for awhile looking at the growth of vegetation along the shore line. We followed a track through the bush navigating around the shores of the dam.  The track took us onto a road and past families and homes where we were greeted with great enthusiasm and friendliness.  Following this road the walk meandered up a slight incline, back onto the main road and around back to the waters edge to finish up where we started.  Those who had already finished were very encouraging of those of us who are much slower than the runners.  The sweep gentleman who followed at the back to ensure everyone was safe and all markers were collected was very kind and encouraging.  Thank you everyone for a wonderful morning spent with nature.

Driving out of the valley I came across some artistry and metal animals one of which was a rhino.  Very well made.  Congratulations go to the artists.