I tried to wake up early as Gary and I had a longer walk planned. So I managed to drag myself out of the pit at about 7:30, breakfasted and got ready as Charo made us butties to take on our 13.5 km walk from the camp to the Grindstone Caves and back along the Cataract Valley. The weather was good, overcast and the mountain tops covered in mist as Charo and The Boss made sure we left. Just above the camp we came upon a troop of baboons, some carrying young on their backs (though no signs of our bananas or nuts!). They scattered as we got near them and we continued along the path first to the Yellowwood Forest alongside one of today's many fast flowing streams. We passed a young couple coming the other way - the only people we were to see during the walk.

We headed uphill and reached Grindstone Cave about 2 hours after the start. The going was okay but wet on top and rather slippery - both of us took at least one tumble.

We crossed several streams - a couple of them more than once. At the first Gary took off his shoes and socks but walking through wet grass made our feet as wet as walking through the water so walk through streams with our shoes on we did from then on and both of us avoided falling in (but only just).

We reached over 2,000 m and then descended into the Cataract Valley, stopping on a rocky promontory to have lunch, and be astounded by the incredible scenery. It was truly magic.

We came to the confluence of the Cataract Stream and Delmhlwazini River and headed for the Dipping Tank, back into the Yellowwood Forest, through and then over a very fast flowing stream and finally back to the camp to be greeted by The Boss with a beer in each hand - what a wonderful end to an absolutely wonderful walk.

We relaxed and showered, Gary and all the other guys went to watch some supposedly important rugby game on the camp TV while I've been here with the chicks scribbling these notes.

Earlier I through I'd seen a Warthog near our cabin but it disappeared before I could photograph it properly. Later, as I sat writing, it came and visited again and turned out to be a wild boar or "bush pig". It snaffled around for quite a while but by now it was too dark to photograph, leastways with my camera, though Tertia got a very good shot.

Tonight we're having an oxtail potjie (prononounced "poiki" it's a three legged cooking pot - like cannibals used to cook missionaries in!) c/o Neville.

Food was later than usual but well worth the wait. Noelene had done "samp" (maize with beans) to accompany the oxtail and Nevvie had made pot bread. So another "light meal" was enjoyed by one and all! Afterwards I downloaded the photos and GPS route from today's walk whilst Mikey, Neville and some of the kids taught Gary to play poker! It turned out that he was surprisingly good. Then to bed.