We're freshly back from an enjoyable four-day hike in the Drakensberg - following the contour path in the Cathedral Peak region - from below the Cathedral and Bell, around the Horns, Elephant, Pyramid and down. The weather was (mostly) kind, the scenery spectacular and the boot and equipment test worthwhile. We used the new First Ascent self inlfatable mattresses - and they were FANTASTIC (no thery weren't sponsored and no I'm not being paid to say this). I had the lite version and had the best hiking sleeps ever in terms of comfort. Bob had the slightly thiker (and heavier) version and said the same. I'm now debating which mat to take on my trip - 200g makes a difference; every 200g makes a cumultative difference...

The boots handled the trip well. I was the only one with DRY feet; but did develop blisters under my feet by day 3 (a first for me) although I suspect that this might have seomthing to do with the fact I was carrying about 20kgs (also a first for me) - but good training for the trip to come.

Bob's knee managed well (although I did dictate what he had in his pack, and made sure it was lighter than mine this time), and Shaz has returned feeling good but with that gnawing "Oh Sh*t" feeling of there's only just over a month to go, and so, so very much, to do! From visa applications to tax returns to work to generate money to afford the trip...

D-day (Oct 4th) is just over a month way - gulp!

Had "fun" at the bank yesterday. They refused to give me a letter for my visa becasue my money was still in a 32-day call account and not in my savings account!! They blamed the new credit act, but did eventualy agree transfer my money over, waiving the penalties for doing so, in order to issue the letter, but could only give me the letter the next day when the money would be in my savings account.

So I will be trundling off to the bank again today in about an hour to (hopefully) pick up the promised letter, muttering  unpleasant and colourful words under my breath.

Bob is busy planning his annual spring garden day and the annual spring fast; Shaz is working slowly through her To Do list... as another seasonal year begins in South Africa...