16th September 2008

From my halfway point, Sani Top, I decided I would go SOLO. I would have someone accompany me for the first couple of days while there were no villages and I would summit Thabana Ntlenyane (3482m), the second highest peak in Africa. But after that I would defy all advice and walk alone! I felt confided by then that I would be ok alone. From foreigners and locals alike I had had nothing but warnings and concerns for me about walking alone. The warnings were mainly of herdboys and rape and vicious packs of dogs. I had learnt a lot of things by that point though, and was actually really looking forward to being out in the mountains alone - but with my best mate Larlie.

Chillin' at the bar at Sani Top Chalet, before setting off alone

Larlie enjoying the lovely, rare warm day at Sani Top, with the goats, who scavenge his food.  I couldn't wait to get out on the track again with him

 
Posing at the Bar at Sani Top, the Highest Pub in Africa. I worked there for one day to earn my food and board while the wind died down

I had/have learnt that if you are confident that nothing will happen to you and you are genuinely friendly to everyone and talk to them, then people will respect you for it and will be exactly the same back to you. Happiness can only attract happiness! And I am extremely happy here and I love the people.

Abiding by everyone’s warnings is taking on what they are afraid of. If I listened to them then it wouldn’t be my journey. People say that the trek I have taken on is extremely difficult and sometimes say it is impossible to accomplish. But to me it’s different. I know my capabilities and the way I am motivated and I will finish this journey.

Another thing I have learnt is that village people in Lesotho exaggerate things, A LOT! If something bad happens once people will remember the incident forever and will be afraid of it forever. I have learnt to take people’s warnings with a pinch of salt. I am aware that there is always the slight possibility of rape, theft and all the other bad things that can happen to you everywhere (I am not walking around blind and naive), but if you think of those things constantly then you are creating a large barrier to achieving your goals. Besides which, there's nothing quite like a challenge - it makes it even more satisfying when you achieve your goal.

Showing some herdboys what they look like on camera

Walking alone is peaceful! There is no pressure to keep someone else happy and there is the freedom to pick up stones, take pictures and stuff around whenever I want.