“Dogs in the Mountains”

Orchids on Mountain Acacia

Living in Chimanimani is just the thing for a walkaholic. Our dogs gather outside the kitchen at 3.30pm and by 3.50pm Holly and Rocky plop their paws up on the stable door, peering at me. This is clearly a reminder, an insistent little “Come on, it’s time to go already.” Soon four dogs and one black cat bound through the bush with an energy I can only envy these days. I am a sight. You have to have the right kit for this walk and it is not stylish kit. It is a practical defensive uniform. Against ants. Yes, ants. I think they are an alien species because they were not here in the 1990’s when I walked my dogs and cats over the same trail. Whatever their origin they are here to stay.  They sting or bite (it feels like a sting) and try to kill every crawling thing that stumbles their way. So I wear two pairs of socks, one long, one short. The long ones are pulled over the top of my jeans and I walk fast. The dogs have learned to stay off the path and Benji the cat moves using a series of dashes and leaps  and then swerves and collapses panting, onto a shady rock or tree and waits for me to catch up.

Benji loves his walk

Dogs are not allowed into the National Park so we walk a lovely trail parallel to the Eland Sanctuary, either down to the Golf Course to visit the horses or directly west on a quiet path through the bush. The Golf Course walk is only for those days when I feel particularly strong.  It is a continual steep climb coming home and the ants pity nobody. I call them “my training ants”. They simply will not allow you to slow down, no matter what you heart rate is. They sting you into action. Dare you  pause momentarily to flick one off your foot they swarm up you legs, so you do not stop. You learn to admire the view on the move.

My favourite walk takes us to Old Goat Rock. I named this boulder after arriving there one day hoping for a sit down and it was already taken. A  large, pure white billy was fast asleep. Holly, my border collie spotted the intruder first, she bristled and gave him the eye. He lifted his eyelid at her and returned the look for a moment before resting his head again. I let him be. He was there first after all. I called all the dogs and quietly left.

Old Goat Rock

Though I have since visited the rock many times, the old goat has never been back. A few coarse hairs he left on the rock were washed away by the rains. I still remember his golden eye and his strong odour and I suppose he ended up in a cooking pot somewhere down in Ngangu.

From this rock you look over a quiet valley towards Greenmount. On your right the sun sinks behind Sklyine Junction and to your left the mountains shimmer with golden light. Birds fly above you and the dogs pant and sniff the air. You know how lucky you are to sit here and to be a part of it. Benji takes a drink from the cap of my water bottle and once his big thirst is quenched we set off for home.

Time to go

Benji fun

Benji in the bush with his pals

This entry was posted in Activities, Eastern Highlands, Hiking, Things to do in Chimanimani, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to “Dogs in the Mountains”

  1. Jane says:

    Hi Mary
    Sounds very interesting and useful! I am sure we can organise something for sure. Will e mail you now. Cheers Jane

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