Wandering Wonderer: here's mud in your eye

last weekend my breeze, her son shaun, charlotte and i spent went to a 'spa' named thangami. a little resort in the hills of zululand, rich with history. where once the great king shaka had his royal hunting grounds and also enjoyed bathing in the hot water springs. found in the valley near the river is, a tranquil, quiet, mineral mud pool.
i wonder if king shaka knew about the 36 different minerals it contained, or if he cared?

for those of us who are conceited about our looks, or lack thereof.......we care!

so with great excitement we travelled the long and winding road ( a good title for a song) to enjoy all that a few days away in the african bushveld had to offer.
it was the end of august and spring was well on the way. temperature in the high 20's (celsius)........ the day we left.....a cold front came through and temperatures plummeted to the middle teens. but we were not daunted and the great trek was on.

arriving at the idyllic resort dressed for an artic winter but ready to brave anything for the sake of vanity and relaxation. off came the layers of clothing and on with the swimming gear. the consensus was, mud first and then clean, warm spring water.

a useless fact.. the mud pool is about 2 kilometres deep , but the thick mud keeps one from the long drop.

after a stroll down the hill we came upon the crisp unclear pool. who was to be first to brave this magical pool of youth???
well i had to take the photos so not me!

that would be shaun first...........

where did he go!!?!!

then charlotte!!!

then breeze and the the freezing screamer!!!

look ma no hands!!!

well once in ...we had to get out and clean. for this, there was a cold water shower. which seemed warm as the temp outside was colder than the water.
have you ever tried to walk around with 10 kilograms of wet mud trying to drag your swimming gear off while trying to keep a towel around you for warmth? i now know what my children felt like with wet and dirty nappies.(diaper s)