The mists of time ….

We wake at 7 am and I go out onto the terrace. The sun’s about to rise above the cloud-fringed mountains, mist gathered in the valleys below. It’s cold, but magical. As the sun clears the ridge-rim, somehow the mist seems far more wide spread, and catches the morning light in soft graduated layers. It’s breathtaking. 

We have breakfast and join our activity for this morning - a hike to six San rock art sites. It’s a welcome day off driving for G as we’re driven down the valley to the start of the Rock Art Trail. Gerald our guide is excellent, providing a steady stream of information which includes a great deal about the various plants - several deadly poisonous, others health-giving. 

Of course, the main focus is the rock art, human and animal figures painted on rock overhangs and sheltered nooks. Some are obvious, others simply vague, marks we’d miss completely without our guide. They tell of the life of these hunter-gatherers living in the area some 2000 years ago - a fascinating window on the past. The San people are no longer in the area, but can be found in areas of Namibia. 

The walk itself is through beautiful but rugged terrain, huge red outcrops shaped by years of erosion. Much of the trail is over rocks - not over challenging, but difficult for me! Clambering over rocky outcrops means I often need help - I’m so much better since my spinal surgery last year, but my balance is often questionable, and I still find it difficult to to work out which leg needs to move where! Fortunately, I do have a walking pole, and both G and Gerald offer helping hands - quite literally! 

Gerald is keen we keep together - and keep to the path - issuing warnings of spitting cobras in the area as well as scorpions. I tend to be bringing up the rear, both due to slowness and photography - just the sort of person a guide likes in a group! 

I’ve decided not to go on the afternoon hike around the ridge; I’ve pushed myself enough already today.  Instead I lie on the daybed on our terrace catching up with editing, blip, and reading, as well as just listening to the silence all around - silence broken only be the sound of bird calls or insects. 

G returns from a pleasant but unremarkable hike so rather than feeling  I’ve missed anything I feel I’ve made the right choice by staying put for once!  

It’s another delicious meal in the rests before returning to our room to find a hot bath run for us and an array of lit tea-lights on the floor! So lovely! 

 I’ve really struggled to choose between my main and first extra - any opinions gratefully received! Both show the misty layers of the nearly morning. Other extras show Gerald explaining the paintings followed by an example.