Day 7: 210 kilometres on the road to Garies

Another 30 km on the road into Garies

After lunch we walked the final stretch into Garies where we are based tonight.

The gentle pace that Luciel and I walked gave us the time to take pleasure in the wild flowers along the road.

They are so delicate and so beautiful. Dotted in the sand, sometimes as individuals other times in groups.

We never get tired of looking and paying attention.

Frik plays music in the vehicle and we particularly enjoy the Zirk Bergh song:

Wie't all daai blomme geplant, 

ja, daai bloom in Namaqualand, 

waar kom all die blomme vandaan, 

all die blomme wat heir so staan.

• Walking Log: 22 August

210km of 301km completed. A week of waking up and walking 30km each day. This physical challenge is way out of my comfort zone and I still just a little surprised at our determination.  

The nights are not easy either, Frik told us all the sleep with the mattress raised at our feet to help with the throbbing we feel in our lower limbs and feet. And throb they do!

Fred having a break

Fred has been a huge support this whole year, walking with me even though it was not always what he felt like doing, carry the backpack, doing all that was required to keep us going.

This trip he has taken glorious photos, I just keep going, all I carry is Lip-ice, and he runs to catch me after he has taken the shots he wants.

He supports all of us if we flag, entertains with stories, walks with some of the stronger women now and again, and sings most of the way.

He has been concerned with the state of my feet but never been frustrated when my pace has to slow down when the pain overwhelms me.

Today he delighted in the stream, and yesterday at the dam, and I can see that this experience is bringing him pleasure too.

Thank you Fred.

Fresh creamy farm milk

The dawn walk started at Leliesfontein, the high point of the Kamiesberge.

We were packed and all in the vehicle by 5.30 am, we are a disciplined group, always on time and organised, although Fred keeps everyone entertained when he leaves stuff behind!

The weather was different yet again, overcast, little warmer and the scenery from our starting point through Groenkloof was so lovely. Not as dry and looking so much lusher than yesterday's section of the Kamiesberge. We even had a few drops of rain. Walking is so much easier when the weather is kind.

Our breakfast break after 11km was at the farm, Koornlandskloof. As we arrived we were met by an elderly lady, the farmer's wife, and she handed us a bucket of fresh milk, thick and yellow with cream.

As always there is nothing nicer than some good food after walking, Frik and Jaco treated us to sandwiches and I had a few cups of coffee with the luscious milk. A little bit of heaven on a Namaqualand farm. I was happy.

I felt as though I floated through the next 10 kilometres, even my feet receded as a background noise and it was one of the nicest stretches of walking I have done.

"But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more..."

My favourite windmill by far.

"But I would walk 500 miles

And I would walk 500 more

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles

To fall down at your door"

The Proclaimers song has been playing in the vehicle for a week now and today was the day that Fred and I got to the 1000 mile milestone. 

I have been tracking our  kilometres since the 9th January and I so excited with this achievement.

At the same time we crossed the 200km mark on our Eco Ultra Walk here in Namaqualand, so we all danced over the line, high stepped, high five'd and had such fun.

200 kilometres and still counting!