The Rhino Run 2018

My 2nd Rhino Run was extra special as my daughter walked with me.  This event continues to be a wonderful outdoor experience. Sadly not as well supported as it should be.  We enjoyed the walk and the magnificent views around iNanda Dam.   We decided to make a weekend of it and enjoy the pleasures of being in the outdoors.  As a country South Africa has so much to offer to the outdoor enthusiast. Any reason to drive my #LadyMavis #LandRover is a good excuse.  We booked into the Msinzi Tented accommodation and had a wonderful afternoon and evening outdoors and in touch with nature.  Being with nature truly grounds you and makes your realise all the dramatic drama of the work week is sometimes in our heads.  Being in the quiet stillness of nature brings everything into perspective.  Well worth the visit and the stay at Msinzi iNanada Dam

#Mandela Legacy lives on

Today I am feeling my age and my body agrees.  Two days participating in the #Mandela Legacy events has taken its toll, BUT it has been such fun and I have loved every minute of it.  Yesterday I participated in the 8 kms Trail Run from the #Mandela Capture site up through the hills and back down again.  Beautiful private farmlands that we were privileged to be able to walk through.  Today was the #Mandela Marathon.  I participated in the 21 kms.  A hard hot walk, but well worth the effort.  

SPAR Ladies Race 19.08.2018

Today was bold, beautiful and sunny.  The complete opposite to the weather yesterday.  It’s almost as if I changed countries given the extreme difference in weather conditions in the past 24 hours.

10 kms #SPAR ladies.  The hype, excitement and energy was truly encouraging.  I was very pleased that there were no water sachets.  Participants were given a bottle of branded water at the start and were specifically asked to dispose of the bottles in a rubbish bin.  Sadly a number of participants threw their bottles down when they had dispensed with them, some even throwing down bottles that were unopened or partly drunk. What is it with the human race that we just ‘throw’ stuff away without thinking?

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.