A bright and hour earlier than we all agreed to last night start to the morning (thankyou Carl!!)
Was it a reaction to my reticence to yesterdays lunchtime dip, or simply a need to embrace the moment and get the shock out of the way? This morning was my first taste of having to wash in a cold, mountain stream pool. In for a penny, in for a pound eh? I guess there's no point having any shame when needs must and you're spending two weeks in close quarters with a group in the middle of Africa. So strip on down and jump right in! ... Thanks to Denise for soaping me up, and to Giles for catching our wiggly waggly dance on camera! ... errr... whats the equivalent of claiming ownership of original negatives in the digital era???!!!
David Livingstone had expeditions through Malawi, and many Scottish explorers and missionaries helped to map and settle areas of the country. No real surprise in their affinity for the countryside here. Walking through the mountain range today is highly reminiscent of Scottish highlands. (Well so I'm told - I havent actually walked the Scottish highlands myself, but if it's like this then it's on my list of things to do!)
Walking is a great way to get to know people. Not too intense as if you're sitting in a group around a pub table - especially for someone like me who finds it hard to connect socially sometimes. But a shared focus, and pace, and common appreciation of the physical challenge and environment, can create a relaxed atmosphere that allows conversation to weave in and out, ebb and flow along it's way. I really connected, and got to know better, a couple of people today. It's a pleasure to be sharing this experience with this group of people.
Still above the clouds, our group spread out today. At one point I found myself out of sight and sound of the people ahead, and behind. The path was unclear. I was unsure. I became anxious. Just where the hell am I supposed to be going? It would be so easy to take a wrong turn and be lost for hours... alone on the top of a mountain as night approaches is not a place I want to be...
OK, so I'm being a bit melodramatic, but I'm sure I took a few wrong turns as the path I followed petered out and I found myself walking along stream beds and clambering over rocky outcrops, with only a vague notion of going forward...!
We spent the night at Thuchira Hut. Dusk brought sunset and we were treated to one of the most vibrant, colourful sunsets that I have ever seen.
There's a new hut built just below the river, and the older hut just above. Tonight the group spread out its sleeping arrangements. Apparently there was just too much noise last night for some people!!
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