I live in a beautiful country

One of my main interests is Trail Running.

Last week I did a race in the Drakensberg mountains. We left the Mnweni Cultural Village (+-1250m asl) at 06:00, ran through the Mnweni Valley, up the Mnweni Pass, onto the escarpment (3000 asl) which happens to be in Lesotho, across the escarpment and down Rockeries Pass back to the Cultural Centre. A total distance according to my Garmin of 39km with 1815m of ascent. The winner took 5:09 with the last person crossing the line at 02:00 the following morning! As you can see it was a beautiful day which is unusual as the weather in the Drakensberg is extremely fickle and has been known to snow.

Here are some pictures of the scenery:

Yes, you do live in a beautiful place. Running there must have been exhausting and exhilirating. My hat's off to you!

(05-16-2015, 02:17 AM)chazt Wrote: Yes, you do live in a beautiful place. Running there must have been exhausting and exhilirating. My hat's off to you!

I'll second that. Always enjoyed the landscape and people in SA although I could not run up a flight of stairs myself.

Bob

Makes me homesick.  I spent many wonderful holidays in the Drakensberg in my youth.  Fortunately, there is an excellent South African butcher in the town where I live who makes delicious boerewors and biltong, among other delicacies.

WOW..!! That is gorgeous and I second the others great job on the run that terrain looks pretty rugged.

Tappan

Thanks all.

Rufus, whereabouts did you live before you emigrated?

(05-16-2015, 06:02 AM)Thug Wrote: Thanks all.

Rufus, whereabouts did you live before you emigrated?

Bramley, Johannesburg.  It was still the Transvaal in those days.

(05-16-2015, 06:28 AM)Rufus Wrote:

(05-16-2015, 06:02 AM)Thug Wrote: Thanks all.

Rufus, whereabouts did you live before you emigrated?

Bramley, Johannesburg.  It was still the Transvaal in those days.

I'm in Randburg now but was a Transkei boytjie for years.

(05-16-2015, 07:16 AM)Thug Wrote:

(05-16-2015, 06:28 AM)Rufus Wrote:

(05-16-2015, 06:02 AM)Thug Wrote: Thanks all.

Rufus, whereabouts did you live before you emigrated?

Bramley, Johannesburg.  It was still the Transvaal in those days.

I'm in Randburg now but was a Transkei boytjie for years.

Bramley is close to Randburg.  Prior to Bramley we lived in Melrose Estate next to Rosebank.  I did my primary schooling at King Edward VII Preparatory School, which Gary Player attended several years before me.  However, I attended secondary school at boarding school in Southern Rhodesia.

Wow, Tony! That is a beautiful location! You should have take a few shaving items to get some SOTD pics! 

(05-17-2015, 08:30 PM)celestino Wrote: Wow, Tony! That is a beautiful location! You should have take a few shaving items to get some SOTD pics! 

Thanks Celestino.  

When I was posting the photos, the thought did cross my mind but my collection of shaving gear doesn't do justice to the scenery. 

That is truly breath taking. I almost had a chance to visit South Africa but my project there was canceled. These wonderful photos make me wish I had a chance to go. I do so much of my work via telepresence now to save money, but I miss the in person interactions and travel.

(05-17-2015, 10:08 PM)Thug Wrote: Thanks Celestino.  

When I was posting the photos, the thought did cross my mind but my collection of shaving gear doesn't do justice to the scenery. 

Tony, you would be surprised how a simple razor, an ordinary shaving brush and plain bowl or mug will enhance a location! 

Is this far from Gods window and that pancake house?  

My wife and I drove there and were going to do a much larger adventure until I hit what you guys call a pot hole and I would call a giant crater in the road.  Long story short, We flew through the air, landed and blew out one of the tires.  then we were forced to drive on a dummy tire to joburg in the first rain and had to cut that segment of the trip short.  I love your country although I see a lot of hardships.

(05-28-2015, 03:36 PM)Billium Wrote: Is this far from Gods window and that pancake house?  

My wife and I drove there and were going to do a much larger adventure until I hit what you guys call a pot hole and I would call a giant crater in the road.  Long story short, We flew through the air, landed and blew out one of the tires.  then we were forced to drive on a dummy tire to joburg in the first rain and had to cut that segment of the trip short.  I love your country although I see a lot of hardships.

Yes, it is far from the Drakensberg area.

God's Window is in the province (you would call "state") of Mpumalanga which is another glorious gem of our Country. The pancake house you're probably talking about is in a town called Sabie, very close to God's window.

Unfortunately, we do have problems and hardships which I suppose are unique to this country.