Hikus Interruptus and the Helpful Pavlova

On Sunday it was a beautiful and sunny 28 degrees (or 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit).  I decided that I was going to take advantage of the weather and go for a walk/hike (I'm not really sure when a walk becomes a hike - does it have to do with how long it is??). I've been really slack about exercising lately, mainly because it's just been too bloody cold, and I've been far too busy attending the Critical Methods conference and the National Arts Festival.

Walking/Hiking is my exercise method of choice these days, after spending years in brain numbing and repetitive aerobics classes.  It's great to be outdoors, to have changing scenery, and to feel the heat of the sun on my skin.  The major downside to it is that I can only really do it on the weekends, and I should be exercising more often than that!

My favourite walk/hike route is to climb a hill near the dam, and then walk down the other side.  I generally choose to climb up the steep bike trail, and walk down on the less steep road.  It takes me roughly an hour to do.  There are lots of possible variations to the walk though - for example I could check out the Remembrance Grove, Featherstone Kloof or Dassie Krans.  The way I walk takes me past the toposcope at the top of the hill, but I had never climbed all the way to the top, instead taking a shortcut and heading down quickly.On Sunday, after being cooped up inside by the bad weather, I decided that it was the day to change that.

I climbed all the way up to the toposcope (about 3 kilometers - 2 miles - of uphill!).  It felt really good to have achieved my goal.  I didn't know all the little side paths, so I wandered about investigating them for a bit before deciding it was time to head back.  I had a choice of whether to walk back the way I'd come (which I thought makes climbing to the top seem a bit pointless), or take a little footpath.  I chose the latter option, and not five minutes in fell and sprained my ankle.

I sta in excruciating pain for a few minutes, before thinking that I should try to keep my mind occupied and decided that I might as well test my blood sugar since I was sitting still anyway.  Then, being the bloody-minded independent person that I am, I decided to try to walk down the mountain instead of asking the people up at the toposcope for help (it's quite a popular exercise track).  About 20 minutes of hobbling later, I realised that I was being a fool and damaging my foot because I felt like an idiot for asking for help. 

I flagged down the next passing car, which happened to be a gigantic silver double cab 4X4.  I explained my situation to the driver and his wife, and they promptly told their passengers to walk the rest of the way up and told me to hop in.  They were driving up to the toposcope after lunch, to have their pudding, a pavlova, with their guests.  They drove me back down to the dam where my car was parked.  I don't know their names, but am excessively grateful for their help!