DATE: 29 DEC 2011 – 1 JANUARY 2012
TYPE: PORTAGE / CATERED
AREA: MATATIELE
We all always look so forward to our yearly New Years hike, and this year I think we were so very lucky that we choose this one. Mehloding was probably one of the nicer hikes we have done, purely from the fun aspect. Also deciding to go for the portage and catering is a must, one can then relax a lot more and just enjoy. As always the company obviously also plays a major role, and I think we were just the best.
5 ladies, Flo, Theresa, Doréth, Barbara and Jenny, travelling in 2 vehicles, left Gauteng on 27 December and drove to Nottingham Road where we over nighted at Bellwood Cottages, a truly lovely place to stay, quiet, beautifully clean, with everything and more that one would need. We decided from the outset not to do any catering ourselves, we were after all on holiday, and so with much hilarity set out to find a place for our supper (yeah, I know when do we not end up laughing and giggling!)
28 December saw us doing the last stretch to Matatiele, and all went well (sort of, a bit of getting lost by one of our party before we entered Pietermaritzburg) up until the very last bit of gravel road. Here we met up with Peter and Carol coming from Umhlanga. The Lavina, Hyundai i20 all negotiated the morass of mud, water and huge potholes supposed to be a road reasonably well; including a few slips and slides. The BMW however didn’t fair so well and Jenny and Barbara found themselves totally stuck. We had to send our guide Dan and driver Shadrack in a 4×4, and only after having to go and find a chain did they managed to pull them out. Oh did Queenie earn her name here!
This obviously resulted in us getting to our first nights accommodation Malekgalonyane in the dark. You park your cars at Masakala traditional lodge and are transported in the very same 4×4 that did the rescue. Fitting 7 hikers, our guide and driver into the vehicle as well as all our luggage stacked on top, was another cause for lots of laughs and many photos. Our hostess Nontlantla took excellent care of us, making a feast fit for a king.
Day 1, 29 December, with Dan in the lead, saw us walking to Makhulong a distance of 12kms in very wet and muddy conditions with clouds giving us some respite from the baking sun most of the day. We had some take off our boots river crossings to complete as well. We passed numerous villages and were pleasantly surprised to see the very good condition all the cattle were in. Our hostess Kholu spoilt us with yummy little vetkoek and made sure we had ample and very tasty food.
Day 2, 30 December, Dan warned us was the long day, 20kms had to be walked to Maboloka. A sunny day greeted us and we saw the awesome sight of 2 spans of oxen coming down the mountain side over very rocky terrain each with huge bundles of fire wood being dragged behind. Quite a sight to behold. The lunch spot afforded some of us a chance to cool off in a stream, and later we passed the rock paintings as well. Our hostess Nomsa made the most divine bean soup and once again took more than good care of us. We never get things right – and this was the night we ended up partying a bit.
Day 3, 31 December, saw us leave to do the 15kms to Madlangala with some very ominous clouds keeping us company. We had some more river crossings to get behind us before we ended up walking most of the day in thundershowers accompanied by hail. Drowned rats had nothing on us all. The sodden and soaked hikers that we were, managed to get most of our clothing relatively dry before the next morning, and our hostess Cindy kept us well fed, and I think most of us crawled into bed shortly after the sun set.
Day 4, 1 January (happy New Year!) was the last days walk out to the 4 x 4 waiting at Qachas Nek. Theresa opted out due to a nasty blister / sore toe and caught a ride with the 4×4 as well. We mainly had contour walking this last day, and when we saw the 4×4 in the distance we were all a little bit saddened that this really beautiful hike with some majestic scenery was almost over.
Once back at our vehicles we made our way to a farm Elandskuil just outside Kokstad for our overnight stay, stopping in Kokstad for a light meal first. We once again made a good call re the accommodation – another gem – well worth keeping in mind for further trips.
In conclusion this is a must do hike and although a certain amount of fitness is needed, Dan sets a very reasonable pace with a few short rest in between, getting you to your camps with ample time to read, relax, do crosswords and chat.
