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Phew what a hot day we had yesterday, 27 degrees in the sun and the car reached a roasting 33 degrees having been left to bake whilst we hiked up Constantia Nek :)
Anticipating a hot day we rose early, packed a lunch and drove to Constantia Nek via Studio 22 (where I am converting slides to digital photos). The national park looked busy but as we began our ascent and passed other hikers the numbers started to dwindle. In contrast to the last time we took upon this walk we decided this time to go all out and take the most direct way up - this meant we left the steps and took to the gravel after only 90 minutes, it also meant we were gasping for water and sweltering in the midday sun. There's a lovely picture of Cider chilling out in a stream, all three of us were pushing hard to get to the top. Amazing veiws though were all around us. The day was so clear you could see out to Somerset West and the Strand and the Atlantic ocean looked like a pond.
After a packet of jelly babies to get the blood sugers up, we strode on, just a couple more ascents and bends and we were on top of table mountain. Here we picked up pace to make it to the last of six reservoirs. We had passed a police patrol midway and again bumped into the patrol at the top, they were able to report very few walkers and certainly no trouble. They also checked Nige was ok, given he was somewhat out of breath and panting!!!!!
We ate our lunch on the reservoir wall and Cider enjoyed a long swim in icy cold water, many a stick was thrown and chased. There is also a little musuem at the top with pumps going back to the industrial revolution having been made in Liverpool no less! I don't envy the folk that had to get the machinery from the bottom to the top.
We decided again in contrast to last time we walked this route to take the long way down. Spring flowers were everywhere to be seen and the air was like a hairdryer pumping a warm breeze around us the whole way.
4 hours after we had started we arrived back at the car, very much feeling it in our legs and feet! We slumped into the car and slowly drove back to the house just in time for the Arsenal game at 4pm - a lovely day and a gorgeous walk. Mum and Dad are you ready to take it on with us next time?
Lots of love to all, Cath, Nige & Cider x
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