2013.08.23
Packing up time already and leave our snug, comfortable home in Barrydale. There was some frost on the car but by the time we had finished our bacon and eggs it had gone. We returned the keys and drove the short and very scenic road to Montagu.
First we checked out where the camping was and then found our way to the municipal park and the start of the trails. I had decided to do the Cogmanskloof trail as that one seemed to have a reasonable profile. We were met by a very friendly lady who told us the ins and outs of the place, especially the old watermill which is sadly no longer working. Looking at the state of the gears I could understand why.
The trail first leads you up an easy valley, soon though it narrows and the well constructed path leads you up a very steep slope and soon it gives tremendous views up the kloof.
We stopped every time one of us spotted an interesting plant which was frequently.
It was lovely to see Pelargoniums which at home we only have in pots and some we could not identify.
The trail led us over the crest of the mountain and suddenly we had wide expansive views of the town.
Onwards we go following the easy path,
and then steeply down to the river past some aloes
and good views of the mountains on the other side.
The last section of the trail was a bit of a slog and it got quite warm by then, we were back at the car at 15:30, plenty of time to get to the camping and pitch our tent for the first time on our trip!
A bit of figuring out at first, soon though we were settled in an made some well deserved gluhwein.