Easy peasy

Well, my sister and I had decided our first day would be a quite easy one. We would take a walk, yes, but it would be an easy one around a lake. Gravel paths all the way. She had her new walking boots and we both had a bit of provision and a bottle of water. We were all set. 

The weather was glorious: sunshine, cloudless skies and no wind. Temperatures around the 10 degrees Centigrade. A fine day for an easy walk. 

We got to the parking lot and found a place to park and then set out to take the photo at the top. After which we made our way to the gravel path. We saw lots of people, walking here, there and everywhere. The gravel path was nice and wide as well. Until it narrowed and we came to a bridge. We crossed it, but after that the path seemed to disappear and we decided it was probably very unwise to continue, so we turned around. 

We found the proper path again and kept following it again. It had widened considerably again as well, so we were quite happy. Of course we stopped every so often so I could exclaim over the view and more often take a photo of this, that or the other. Like the white toadstools I saw a lot.

Ten minutes later (about) we came to a lovely place with benches and even a little jetty. We felt we had deserved a little rest and had a little snack and a drink of water, enjoying the sunshine. No people around, only the sound of a few birds and a couple of dragonflies flying around. 

The rest being over we continued on our gravel path. Which lasted all of ten meters! But there had been one person passing us going the same way so we could continue. Over rocks and stones and a small narrow path full of mud and water! Typical!!! The photo above shows what we had to contend with. 

Unfortunately the path didn't become any better. Clambering over (admittedly smaller) rocks is not something that comes naturally to either of us, although for once in my life I had the upper hand. Fortunately the weather was still good and the views were fantastic as well. So, it wasn't all bad! And the people that were in such a hurry to get past us: "add a weight pack and see how well you do then" was all we could say! 

But we were slowly getting fed up as well. We were starting to feel the climbing and clambering and by now our lack of enough fluids. We had only brought one bottle each, thinking it would be an easy walk after all. We had seen and heard cars for about twenty minutes by then, but it didn't seem as if they were getting any closer! During one little rest however, my sister noticed some houses behind us, so I knew we were getting closer.

By the time we got back to the car we were both very tired and both very dirty as well. Especially my sister who had thought it wise to step ankle deep in some mud puddle! Oopsie! But we had made it and even though we were both tired and dirty, we were also very proud of ourselves. That 'easy' gravel path walk had not defeated us! Mind you, it was an early night for both of us...