702 Walk the Talk - 2017

The big winter walk was held on 23rd of July 2017 this year.  I think Lu needed to do a bit of persuading for Maxine to join us this year, which was great because it's much better to have the added company.
So the day starts of with the bus ride from Eastgate just after 5am to Marks Park. It's so frustrating that the bus has to go on this roundabout route to get there because by the time it drops us off around 6:15am we are already pressed for time to be at the start.  When we got off the bus we were instructed to follow the path via the botanical garden and this turned out to be completely wrong and we were actually walking off in the opposite direction. Anyway with much cursing and bluster we got back to the bus drop off point and went off in the right direction.
On the way to the start we were again told to go a deviant route to what I've done before, but this time it was through the Marks Park grounds, where we could do some toilet stops and be fresh for the walk.
So by now it's getting past 6:45am and we are only just getting to the back of the start. We made our way to a suitable position and soaked up the atmosphere.

Selfie time

Some views behind us

And some more of us

And then we were off, it was cold but not freezing, we made our way through Melville, up to Wits University and into Braamfontein.  What I noticed this year was that there were not many events being put on at key points, like last year. For example, when we walked past the Wits Central Block the students had set up gazebos and there was a PA system with music blaring and there was a festive atmosphere, but not this year.

Crossing over Nelson Mandela Bridge is always an opportunity for a quick photo or two

Even if nobody is ready for it.

So the walk continues through the area known and Brickfields and then back to Braamfontein via Queen Elizabeth Bridge. From there we walk through the old gaol and Constitution Hill, down to Parktown and head back towards Marks Park where all the walks are coming to an end at the same time.

And so the walk ends, what a pleasant Sunday morning with great company, thanks for coming Lu and Maxine and making it a wonderful experience.

The bus arrangement were not well organised for the Eastgate route, our line was so long we had to wait for the following bus before we could get on and I think it was about an hour later before we could leave. When we eventually got to Eastgate we went for pizza and beers at a Piatto pizzaria in Eastgate which made an excellent ending to the whole day.