Thompson's Valley

March 5th, 2025

We only had three postboxes left to do now, and yesterday we crossed off another one. Thompson’s valley was a beautiful walk beginning on a 4x4 track going into the woods where there is a good amount of shade. Luckily it was overcast yesterday, so initially the sun was not too bad as we started the hike.

We started our way down, through the woods and then came out onto a rocky desert plain which was dry and the vegetation started disappearing as we kept going. We went over another hill and came into a field of African pampas grass which made us think of lions and imagining what it would be like if they were here.. 

As we continued down towards the sea, we began to see ruins and fortifications as a sign that we were getting closer. Out at sea we could see people in boats and jet skis, enjoying the day on the water. After about an hour of walking, we found the postbox and stamped our books. But the adventure was just beginning. Scott wanted to go swimming, and so we started to make our way down the side of a cliff which was more of a slide than an actual path.. I got too nervous so I turned back and made my way back up where I waited for him to come back. I watched him go for a swim (which I’m sure was refreshing) and then make his way back up. 

Once he returned we had lunch and started to make our way back up the hills. The first hill was quite steep, but after it the ground flattened out a bit and we were doing ok. Suddenly we noticed that we were not on a path anymore and we had lost it completely, we had been following a sheep track which didn't lead anywhere. Despite this, we kept climbing up, (trying our best to avoid the cacti with all their long spines) and after some rock scrambling, found our way to the top where we could see the way back to the original path. 

Once we were on the path again, everything went well. We even made some sheep friends who led us back towards the car. It was a long day of walking in the sun, and as we drove back it began to rain. At Cason's I pulled over and we got out so the rain could cool us off, which was lovely.