Predicted weather of wind and rain put a dampener ( excuse the pun) on our planned hike to the garden castle area. We were keen to get into the mountains so I asked Tony Marshall if we could join him. Tony was taking it easy after a nasty fall in the mountains and was planning to look at some rock art sites and tent in the campsite at Garden Castle.
Saturday was fine with clouds and strong winds forecast for the afternoon. Richard was still recovering from bad flu and was happy to stay at the camp site whilst I joined Tony. We crossed Sondomzima Ridge and then walked up the Mzimude Valley. The first site we visited is called Nguni Shelter and is downstream from Wave Cave. this site has very impressive paintings that are still not too faded. After this we retraced our steps but climbed a little higher to visit the various Mzimude shelters - the rock art in these were quite faded but it was nice to discover them. Whilst having our lunch we heard dogs barking which faded away and I thought it may have been our imagination. As we descended down to the path we looked across the river and could see movement and heard the dogs clearly. A little later about 10 large dogs appeared and were chasing an exhausted Eland. They must have been about 200 metres ahead of us and then we saw people on two horses although there may have been more. I took a photo as they passed and then they were gone. Both Tony and I were shocked and saddened to see this – the poachers are now becoming brazen and not afraid of appearing in broad daylight. We had one last site to see before heading for home and this was near Puffadder rock. By now I was starting to feel tired and elected to sit and wait whilst Tony had a look.
From here it was across the river and back towards the Giants Cup trail – despite our tiredness we walked at quite a pace against a very strong wind that had come and gone all day. Some 16kms so a good day out aside from the poachers. That evening the rain set in and we were confined to our tent.
The next morning was chilly and overcast and we visited Hermits wood rock shelter which is quite close to the camping site - again the art was quite faded but worth seeing.
We reported the poachers at the office and the OIC at Garden Castle as well as other people at Ezemvelo were also advised We hope that something will be done.
