Day 6: Another 30km, 180km in the bag walking the Kamiesberge to Noupoort

Walking in the Kamiesberge

The lack of rain is evident, a parched landscape, dry river beds, and by the time we were walking the last of the two 10km stretches it was very warm. The road was good, broad and easier on the feet than the sandy roads we are used to.

The grasslands up beyond the Kamies Pass are mainly pasture fields for sheep or goats and dotted with farmsteads. Frik was saying its the driest he has seen this part of Namaqualand in 25 years and it is having an affect on the farmers.

When we arrived at our end point, at the tiny hamlet of Noupoort, a group of small children made up a welcoming party and sing about Bushmanland. Fred enjoyed his interaction with them and passed on his energy bars as treats.

• Walking log: 21st August

180km of 301km. 

Managing well, walking steadily. Recovering reasonably quickly too once we are done for the day. It is no small effort to be on one's feet for 8 hours.

A new blister has emerged today under my big toe, it too is lanced and plastered, my feet are almost comical in their misery.

Walking Kamies Pass

Eco Ventures team supporting us up Kamies Pass

Our dawn ritual.

Up for coffee and a rusk, into the vehicle to drive to our starting point for the day, exercises to warm up and we then start the first walk of the day.

I woke up fragile this morning, but pulled on my layers, had my feet strapped and got going after some lovely supportive messages and a call from Lee in Australia that was inspired.

The Kamies Pass is wonderful, a good 10km walk on some steep sections and switchbacks. It is still cold early morning and we had a strong wind coming down the mountain. My feet hold up well going uphill so I really enjoyed this first walk, watching the sun come up and seeing the lovely valley below us.

Sunrise on Kamieskroon from our walk up Kamies Pass

The breakfast stop was at a wonderful old Namaqualand farm, Jaco and Frik prepared breakfast rolls for us with coffee while we rested up and took in this rural scene of old. 
The quaint white house which housed the blacksmith and his bellows, the well and hand pump and the original flour mill in the annex of the main farm house. Makes my heart sore that our rural legacy is so under pressure. 
You can rent this house as on overnighter during flower season. Another must on a bucket list, stay on a Namaqualand Farm and walk.

Looking for inspiration

Delicate flowers up the Kamiesberge

The flowers we saw along the sandy farm road yesterday, were so delicate, sparse and tinier too, but no less exquisite.

My mind is rebelling, I am having my early morning coffee and rusk, my eyes are red and puffy from my restless uncomfortable sleep.

My feet are swollen and throbbing and the thought of putting on my shoes makes me want to weep. This day 6 could be challenging so I thought I would look for inspiration among Fred's flower photos.