It rained heavily overnight. The tin roof of our accommodation no doubt made it sound like it was raining harder than it was but it really did sound like it was bucketing down. It woke us up at least twice during the night. The thought crossed my mind about flash flooding, crossing the low lying bridges and rivers on the way in and it seemed to cross a few others minds in the group as well. By early morning it was clear and crisp and so most of us headed off for a short walk along one of the farm roads. The bird life was prolific and it was actually quite hard to keep track of all the birds we were seeing. Managed to add a lifer (which was unexpected) of a black-throated canary.

Breakfast was at 8am and then we decided to use our 4x4s and headed up the mountains behind the farm. There was a route of 13.5 km to the beacon and slightly shorter back as it was more directly down the mountain. It was pretty rocky and steep in places I had had to engage Lo4 in a few places to make it easier to go up. The route was marked as between a 3 and 4 in terms of technical difficulty and I think that was pretty accurate. Toward the summit the road became less distinguishable but we found our way and enjoyed some coffee and rusks and biscuits at the beacon before heading back down. We did add a few birds on the way up and back again and we saw a wildebeest and springbok.

We got back late morning and then headed out to Nieu Betheseda itself for lunch at the mirco brewery in the town. Their beer isn’t available anyway except at their brewery and they had an option of a bitter ale, honey ale, pale ale or cider. They do a cheese and meat platter with homemade bread. The town of Nieu Betheseda was founded in 1875 and I think it hasn’t changed since then. It was really founded so that the farmers had a place to go to Church. It is now a tourist attraction because of the Owl House which is basically a house that became a work of art done by Helen Martins. It is a but freeky and strange – it has over 300 concrete statues and works of art of various things but obviously owls are a major theme.

This afternoon B, R & O went for a 5 km run and S, H and myself went for a birding walk. We added a few more to the trip list (for me that is on 56 now). Dinner this evening was lamb pie and vegetables followed by chocolate brownie or malva pudding. Loadshedding happening again at 9pm so trying to post the blog before the lights go out (it is now 8:30pm).

Until tomorrow …

P, S, H, B (he didn’t get lost today and he bought his table for our coffee), R, J, O & A