The rocky dirt track, potholed tar, exit didn't seem as bad 2nd time around and we were soon back on the main road. The short trip to Monks Cowl was easy apart from the last slow climb with Mufasa chugging in 2nd gear. On arrival the day visitors car park was already quite busy and after paying we drove round to the campsite. The electric pitches were as expected more overwhelmed than the non-electric. There were a few spots to chose from but again we needed to appease the solar panel to keep the fridge happy. After deciding on our spot Sue waited while I reversed Mufasa back. As I was not sure where exactly he would sit I stopped on the track, engine running, handbrake engaged, and went to consult the boss. Well the next thing we knew, Mufasa had decided not to wait for us and very slowly started to roll down the slight slope! The two ladies with their tent in Mufasa's path just froze watching the large bulk of metal begining to lumber towards them. Thankfully I had left the driver's door open and was able to jump in and stamp a foot on the break pedal ! Phew, that could have been very embarrassing! Thankfully it all worked out ok. Poor Mufasa is quite a lump and I obviously didn't stomp on the break pedal hard enough before using the handbrake. With crisis avoided we settled in and chose not to do a hike that afternoon, especilly as we were sitting in the cab out of the rain. Needless to say as soon as we got the chance we put up our room below the tent. It rained a fair amount during the afternoon and early evening. The poor girls that arrived later on the pitch next to us didn't have a fun time with only their small tent and little car to shelter in.
By morning the sun was back and we headed out early to the Nandi Falls, a 2 hour hike. Very nice it was too and with the sun out quite hot despite the early hour. In the trees at the falls with the draft caused by the crashing water it was a mighty bit colder. The day visitors area was buzzing when we got back, packed full of day hikers, but the campsite was yet to fill out completely. We had one hell of a thunderstorm that afternoon but had our room to shelter in thankfully, although some of the lightning seemed pretty close on a couple of occasions!
We had decided to stay another night making it 3 and leave on the Tuesday. So on Monday we chose one of the longer hikes to do up to Blind Man's Corner via the Sphynx and Breakfast Stream, a round trip of about 12km and 6 hours. The climb to the Sphynx, a large rock, was not too bad nor was the next up to the plateau and Breakfast stream at just over 2000m, a total climb of 600m. Sadly on our way up the mists had rolled in and although there was no visibility problems for hiking we had no view! Anyway we proceeded on to our Destination at Blind Man's Corner about 3km along the very pretty plateau and a slow ascent of another 100m in height. The view would have been spectacular if it had been clear, we will have to return sometime. The 'Corner' is where the long treks into the high Berg begin. After a short break we turned back and descended via a different route, Keartland's Pass, a much harder route as it turned out! Suitably exhausted when we got back to base it was feet up for the rest of the day. Most of the campsite was empty on our return and by nightfall we had it to ourselves. Bliss!
Comparing Monks Cowl to Injisuthi, it did not have the great 360 degree views, and the mountains could only really be seen in their glory from the electric pitches which occupied the higher ground in the site. It was very pleasant though and out of season a good spot for some great hikes. The big plus though, boiling water on tap, keeps the gas bills down.
Our next stop would be a longer hop north and to the Royal Natal NP, and the looming school holidays! We had decided that it would be a 5 night stay, if it was not too busy, well assuming that we could get our foot in the door of course!
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