The day started early at sunrise as there was rain predicted for 11.00. It was another wonderful sunrise. It was a little of a challenge to get onto the correct path. The path I am following is the delivery trail that is used by horsemen with donkeys that take the shopping orders to the remote villages. They tend to generally use the same trail but each horseman has some deviations. The paths are quite bumpy caused by the hooves of the pack animals. Once I was on the path it was a tough climb, once at the top it was easier going. At about 8.00 I stopped for my packed breakfast from the lodge at a little stream. After breakfast there was a short climb to a small settlement. There I met a man who had said a while back there was another man that came this route on his bicycle, I assume it was Logan Watts. At the top of the hill you could see the Senqunyane with a foot bridge. The trail was steep and badly damaged by the rain. It was a combination of course gravel and all sizes of boulders mostly between tennis and football size. Unfortunately I tried to ride it and ended up taking a fall and grazed my leg. Eventually I reached the bottom and was ambushed by a hoard of children. Three teenaged boys offered to push my bike up the hill. I was very grateful as when we got to the top I was exhausted.
At the next village the locals showed me the route. I think the saw how tired I was and offered me a place to stay. As it was only 11.00 I declined as I needed to get at least half way. When I was half way up the hillside it started to rain and thunder so I set up to make lunch under some bushes.
After the storm calmed down an continued up. I knew I was not going to make Mantsonyane so I started to look for a place to stay. The first settlement I came to was unusual there was an old lady, she said money. I tried to explain I am looking for a shelter but even the young people that gathered around appeared not to understand. I then sent a voice whatsapp to a man I met to ask if he could explain that I am looking for shelter. All of a sudden on of the young people said there was nothing and I should try the school at top of the hill.
After a short climb through a very muddy slope, with the help of two shepherds I got to the small school. One of the teachers met me and kindly offered one of the classrooms. They even brought me a basin with warm water to wash in. I made an appropriate donation. I realised I am a bit old for sleeping on an air mattress on a concrete floor. I got enough sleep and rest to start the next day. On the way back from washing at the water tank I looked up and saw a shooting star, immediately it brought a smile to my face and motivation to tackle the trip to Mantsonyane.
