After a lengthy absence from the computer what have we been up to? Well Jane and Pete have been keeping us busy on their farm puttying windows, cutting, laying and grouting tiles, digging irrigation systems and collecting rocks for the rock garden. I never thought I would see the day when I would be able to say that I could grout, but then I guess there are many things on this trip that I never thought I would experience and I will come home far more knowledgeable in the practical elements of life than I was before. (Never a bad thing for a blonde!)

My birthday (that monumental annual day) was spent in Lesotho. I was woken by Pete with coffee and happy birthday wishes only to roll over and see that the alarm said it was 5:30 AM. Well the sentiment was there at least. By 7 AM we were on the road and driving up a mountain pass in cloud and mist. Sadly we passed view point after view point without even considering getting out to look. All the while Pete smiled to himself and assured us that the sun was coming. Now I am the daughter of Annette, eternal optimist that it will ‘burn off’ yet even I had doubts. Then suddenly, as if by magic (well it was my birthday), the sun appeared and the view spread upwards to Sani pass, the road winding its way through the mountains topped by bright blue sky with not a cloud in sight. A quick stop at the boarder crossing where an excited passport stamper demanded I go to see him so that he could wish me a happy birthday (savvy man) and we were off upwards leaving comfortable South Africa behind and steaming into the more harsh terrain of Lesotho. By 9AM we were toasting the weather (and my birthday) with hot chocolate and sherry in the highest pub in Africa. I blew out the candle on a blueberry muffin and got lots of lovely gifts J.

Lesotho is a beautiful mountainous country, indeed the highest country in the world. Men herd sheep and goats on foot or sat astride donkeys dressed in wellies and an off the shoulder blanket cloak arrangement. These men actually appear to apparate from no where, usually just when you have thought it was safe to squat in the privacy of the open mountain…need I say more.

The roads in Lesotho are maintained by the locals in return for food and supplies and for the first hour or so the roads were pretty impressive. It was when the landy was imitating a sunshine buddy and going bob-ti-bob down a mountain pass with a sheer drop on the right that we saw a young boy run out (once again from the middle of no where) and start to move rocks out of the road. Well good for him, we rewarded him with a sweet only for him to give us a horrified look and ask ‘what? No money!’ As soon as we drove away he disappeared into nowhere again – cheeky thing.

The highlight of Lesotho was Sehlabathebe National Park. We camped next to a river surrounded by the most amazing rock formations and rock pools containing a rare water lily. I have never understood why climbing over rocks and pretending that they are something else is so fun but I think the photos of us standing in holes in rocks in various positions shows it all.

As the rain and the mist set in we stoked up the obligatory braai and toasted the whether with red wine and large slabs of steak. Lovely.