A mushroomy day...

You know you're a serious hiker when you get up in the dark and sit and wait in the rain for the daylight, just so that you can head up the mountain! That's exactly what our little group of four girls did today.

Note I said four girls - not one gentleman ventured out today!

Well, I suppose you can say we've lost it but there really is something special about walking in the Newlands Forest in the rain. The wild mushrooms create fairytale scenes and noisy little streams meandering down the mountain complete the magic.

Unfortunately for one member of our little party the day took a bad turn when she slipped on the wet wooden walkway and she is now nursing a fractured wrist. It just brought home how very easy things can go wrong on the mountain.

Good to know however that we are in good hands. Having a confident, qualified guide lead the hikes that you choose to join is imperative and today I realised again that we certainly are blessed with such a guide in Irene.

As for photos - taking pics when its wet is a challenge as you really have to concentrate on the path ahead of you. Here are the few I managed to snap - as I type this I'm wrapped up in a warm blanket enjoying a steaming mug of hot chocolate, surrounded by my four dogs.

A perfectly good second-best option of enjoying a winters day in Cape Town!