We set off under sunny skies but with rain gear stowed in packs which proved to be a wise decision.

We climbed the first hill on a well defined trail and were treated to great views to the west and many flowers underfoot. On the other side we found the mud!! The trail we would normally use was so muddy that we decided to climb to the top of the second hill - the highest of these hills - and there we had a lovely lunch.

To the west, we could see dark cloud moving our way so we opted to go down the hill to the viewpoint over the Sheep river and then head back.

As we started back up the hill we felt the first sprinkles of rain. Then a bolt of lightning about 3 km away. Staying fairly low we carried on and were nearly deafened by a strike barely a km away.

But the storm was passing to the south and by the time we got to the top of the last hill we could see blue sky to the west and we walked the last km in sunshine again.

Thanks to Marianne & Tom for the flower identification and count - 48. Thanks to Dusan, Sandy, Tom, Marianne, Joyce, Bernard, Jean, Ken & Dave for sharing this adventure with me. C/s/p Dorothy-Ann

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