These boots are made for walking

Gloucester and Leicester - in the UK two places that it would be impossible to include in a day’s walking, even for the LDWA, but perfectly so in Freetown.

A few Saturdays ago I was invited along for my first countryside walk to the village of Bathurst.  I’ve spent many hours walking the streets of Freetown going to and fro but had never escaped the city.   This escape required transportation to the start point and as a VSO I do not have access to a car. What I have learnt about my fellow expats is that they are generous to us volunteers.  So no car was no problem as we were given a lift up to the US Embassy from Congo Cross to begin the walk.  There was a group of about 10 who set off at 10.30ish carrying what we’d all taken to share for a picnic lunch and “plenti wata”.

Boy did we need that water.  The most challenging part of the morning was going up the open side of a hill with the sun beating down.  As we trudged up all I could wish for was Denis Healy eyebrows as mine were not substantial enough to keep the sweat from running into my eyes. We found shade at the top under a tree for more suntan lotion application and a drink. Phew!

On we walked taking in the lovely views.

Uphill we go - passing bemused locals

Beautiful tree

We carried on in search of the perfect picnic spot with shade and rocks to perch on. Once that was located it was time for a well deserved lunch stop.  Food can be challenging here due to the lack of availability and variety but I was impressed by what we shared: haloumi, chorizo, sausage, tabbouleh, guacamole, chickpea salad, quinoa salad and pineapple – a veritable feast. 

Fed and watered we strode on to a bridge where it was suggested we caught a taxi back to the cars rather than walking back up another hill to the Embassy.  This seemed like cheating to me so three of us decided to walk back through some villages.  It was hard in parts as the humidity and temperatures rose along with the inclines but 45 minutes later three, tired and sweaty, but very satisfied walkers reached the car.

How to end the walk?  By jumping into the IMATT pool that’s how.  Perfect.  IMATT is the military base that was set up to train and mentor Sierra Leonean forces after the war.  The complex has a Stepford Wives quality to it with manicured vegetation and small bungalows but it has a wonderful pool with a bar.  We relaxed in the water, lay on loungers to dry off and thoroughly enjoyed the downtime.  All finished off with some beers in a local bar when we made it back to Congo Cross. 

All in all a lovely Salone Saturday.