cycling in the midlands forest area

we decided to go for a cycle further inland recently - so we headed off for the beautiful Midlands area.

on the way, we stopped at the site where Nelson Mandela was arrested on the 5th August 1962

just a random spot along one of the roads in the Howick area - amazing to think that this was the site of an act which would have such far-reaching consequences for all of us

We stopped at the Piggely-Wiggely restaurant complex for an early lunch before our cycle

and then we were off!

we were all so proud of how well Braeden kept up with the rest of us

he had just got a fancy camel pack and cycling gloves for Christmas, and was loving the opportunity of trying them out!

Just when we most needed it, Patrick found this borehole! We were all sweltering in the stifling heat, so this was water which never felt so good!!
Feeling wonderfully refreshed, we made our way back - downhill this time!

You had to be there to have the full experience of this - sights, sounds .... and smells!!

Then, the best find of all!!

This amazing field, freshly plowed, appeared on our left as we came up the last hill.

It spoke so clearly to me, and was such an amazingly visual example of the parable where Jesus talks about the seed falling on good soil.

This soil was beautiful - it smelt amazing, it was perfectly prepared.

We had a good discussion about how Jesus wants our hearts to be like this, and we compared it to the very hard, compacted and rocky soil we were standing on. What a wonderful visual example of one of Jesus' great teachings!

Patrick saw this photo that I had taken of the field, and liked it so much, he came back and took one exactly the same on his fancy high-end camera. Now that made me feel good!! :o)

We had some VERY tired boys in the car on the journey home

so, a wonderfully refreshing swim at home completed a beautiful day