Driver, Guide, Botanist, Mechanic, Marriage Counselor, Doctor, Cobbler

Everyone has been waiting with bated breath for the post about my last day walking with Olympia’s last group. The truth is that (a) it was such an incredibly beautiful walk that I will require at least two posting

s to do it justice and (b) I have been very busy adventuring since then, so as usual there are many exciting blogs about baby whales, flowers, snakes, dogs, wine and other adventures waiting to be posted!

Well our last day on the ‘Mountains In The Sea Trail’ was glorious. Right from the start of the trail we started seeing Bloodroots (Dilatris pillansii) in flower. For me the appearance of these gorgeous flowers is a sure sign that summer has arrived, although the weather seems to suggest otherwise!

Right from the start the views were so wonderful that I had a tough time convincing everyone that the best was yet to come!

But clearly I was correct and once Cape Point came into view Jaakko obviously agreed:

Not much further along and the sole of Heikki’s boot came loose. He has been walking hard in these Meindl boots for a mere 20 years and already they are showing wear!

After many years of guiding in several countries I have learnt that the job description of a guide includes many diverse activities besides guiding. Once many years ago I watched my brother sew the sole of his running shoe back on using fishing line and a fishing hook, but this is the first time I have been called upon to repair a guest’s boots on the trail. I reckon after my taping job the Meindls should be good for at least another 20 years.

The views across the bay to Hangklip were spectacular. I know that I’m biased because it is one of my favourite views in all the world but I still think that this is a pretty nice view:

That’s enough pictures and enough story for one blog, but there is one more picture that I must share with you. I really like it – in fact so much that I’m giving it to you BIG. I love the pink succulents (Aizoaceae) punctuating the bottom of the picture. I hope you like it as much as I.