One step at a time. That’s how most things get done. Especially when you go for an overnight hike in the hilly Overberg mountains.

This was a hike with a special friend to celebrate a special birthday. Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve outside Hermanus was convenient. A short 20 minute drive from my home in Vermont got me and my backpack laden with food and water there. It looked daunting – a high incline and vast mountain trails. I took it one step at a time. Not focusing too much on the zigzag path that reached for the heavens. Soon I was wrapped in the magic of nature. Quiet, calm and clean. Green open spaces to explore and enjoy.

It took about 2 and a half hours to get to the mountain hut which was ours for the night. Sip camp is one of four overnight huts in the reserve. The plus is that it comes all kitted out with blankets, crockery and chairs. It even has a circular pool for cooling off in the summer months. This was June in South Africa – very much winter. I still had to freshen up by taking a dunk. The next morning we rose early and took the path via Maanskynkop down to the end. It was time to head back to work.