Today was definitely a day for smashing comfort zones – for all three of us.

I was first with two walks in one day. I walked from my home on the M3 to Kirstenbosch with my husband. He walked back, and I walked into Kirstenbosch to meet F for our official walk of the day. Walking to Kirstebosch is basically 35 to 40 minutes uphill, so I welcomed being able to sit down and wait 10 minutes for F to arrive.

We walked the Yellowwood Trail in Kirstenbosch – up to the Smuts Rock, along the contour path and back down. It started off fairly easily.

It was a beautiful day for a walk, and all of it was in shade.

F was extremely please to get to Smuts Rock, as this meant no more uphill.  I was reading the trail description and the one section was 39 steps. F counted the 39 steps but didn’t realise that was to a cross path, and we had to go over the path and up more steps! I’m pretty sure I got the death stare when she realised there were more steps. I quickly reminded her that I had suggested a walk around Rondebosch Common, but she insisted that an uphill would be good, to get her out of her comfort zone.

There was a waterfall.  My second comfort zone was smashed walking over the stepping stones. Even with only an inch or so of water in the stream, the stepping stones got my heart rate up. I am not a rock scrambler! As I hesitated, I’m sure I heard a snide remark about comfort zones…

After some initial steep steps, where we were overtaken by an elderly couple (yes, we are slow), the rest of the walk back was easy, with great views.

Not a bad pace when you consider the uphill climb.

We then went to meet M, and walked (YES walked!) 350 meters with her to the nearest coffee shop. It was great to be out and about with M again.