We do a few walks along the road and once or twice a week we do mountain walks. But by far the most enjoyable are the long beach walks we do on the weekends. On Saturday 1st October, Struan and Pete walk about 22km from Muizenberg to beyond the Strandfontein Pavillion with the dogs. Mark was in Hermanus so was unable to join us.
After we turned around we decided to have a rest at the pavillion and have something to eat and drink. We met Paul there who promised to have a cup of coffee ready for us on the 1st day of our walk to Hermanus. Paul is in charge of the local lifeguards at Strandfontein and is clearly in control of their training. The kids are in good shape, swim beautifully and appear to be passionate about their lifesaving. There was a very chilly wind coming from the sea which didn't deter them from their training in the water.
in spite of all the sweat and tears there have been some very amusing events which need to be logged before they are forgotten. On our first training walk from Struan's home to Kelvin there was a fairly embarrassing moment for one of the walkers. This was when the 3 arrived at Kelvin and headed for the showers. Struan was in a rush as he neede to be elsewhere and jumped straight into the showers. Once he had finished he looked around to realise that he had forgotten a towel, however there was only one other person in the shower and two towels lying there. he asked his fellow showeree as to the owner of the towel. This was met by a loud "Its mine" from Pete inside the changeroom, "Go ahead and use it I put it there on the way in. Struan promptly took up the offer and dried every inch of his body including the nasty ones. By this stage he was back with the others and the six or seven other members in the change room. As Struan gave a last swipe of his nether regions with the by now soaking towel an elderly member stepped out of the sauna, which is in very close proximity. His face dissolved into one of absolute horror and he stammered pointing at the towel which Struan was brandishing, "Is that my towel" Pete disappeared smartly round the corner leaving Struan completely speechless holding this mans very wet towel. Afetr much apologies and death threats he eventually saw the funny side and wandered off shaking his head.
ReplyDeleteOn another walk in the Green belt of Constantia the 3 walkers were making good progress across a wooden bridge that crosses one of the wetlands. Pete in front, Struan and lastly Mark. About half way across the walking stick that Struan walks with stuck into a gap in the bridge. Struan could not stop and the stick was bent far forward before it sprang backwards. Mark behind was looking at the beautiful scenery and so did not see the knob end of the stick screaming back his way. Unfortunately the knob end was at exactly the right height and all the other two heard was a loud thwap and a little while later a very forced slow pained wheeze of air coming from Mark as he crumpled in a heap. Much to his horror there was no help or sympathy from his mates as they were crying with laughter. Struan has been warned to sleep with one eye open at all times.
ReplyDeleteFeedback from the latest training walk - Muizenberg to Strandfontein Pavilion and back. Arranged by (In the dogbox)Mark and at the last moment not attended by Mark!!! Wind at Mach 5, spring high tide exactly in the middle of the walk, thick sand for 20 kilometres, suspicious or what?. As we trudged along we passed a lonely fisherman half way down the beach. Clearly a bit of a novice with all the latest kit on display. About 200 mtres further down we heard this noise coming up behind us. We looked around to see a sand yacht (3 wheels and a sail) with a very togged up man screaming down the beach towards us. Almost exactly next to us the top of his mast stopped dead and the whole shooting match went for an absolute ball down the beach. He eventually untangled himself and stood up as we approached and then he started swearing loudly. In his hand he was holding the culprit. A large hook and sinker that he had picked up from the fisherman down the beach who was very busy fighting "the really big one that nearly got away" haven't laughed like that in years.
ReplyDeleteFeedback from the latest training walk - Strandfontein almost to Monwabisi. Once again convened by Mark (in the dogbox again) Westcott. Mark informed us that it was to be a big one on Saturday morning and he had even had his hair cut to speed him up and give him strength. Come the day, our hero was once again not contactable - we even went to his house and rang the doorbell!!! He calls later to inform us he had overslept. Samson and Delilah spring to mind!!! Once again high tide, thick soft sand, strong winds etc. etc. (there must be a plot here). Till further notice keep in the words of a famous whisky - keep on walking....
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