Fortunately I don't need to write anything, Jenny has done it all, and here it is!
Thanks to Tania for organising this very lovely hike-and-water experience. Nice enough to make us want to
do more paddling - on different stretches of water...
The travelling was as nought (just over an hour or less through pretty scenery) and Lydia and I arrived to find Horst and Eleni with their feet up under a shady tree surrounded by lovely roses and cool green lawns...We stayed in the Schoolmasters house (not unknown to some) and an annexe outside as there were 16 of us - but we still missed the absentees. Well equipped kitchen with microwave nogal made the living easy, ( we will not manage without our luxuries anymore, I dont think)and as the Herwegs only arrived very late due to dancing commitments, the Pyrenees Slide Show was done on the second night, accompanied by rather a lot of dumb questions.
The hiking on Saturday was pleasant and fairly taxing, and well shaded except at the end when it was jolly hot and we needed the shade.
Lunch was taken at the windmill and dam in the midst of a host of cowpats, and we arrived back at the house in time for a visit to the interpretation centre and a somewhat intermittent (technical hitch that Allen only half solved) DVD show on the meteorite and effects.
We managed to postpone the start-off time for the river day from 06h00 to 0700 - All Stars are not noted for their early departures - and after transport on the back of a bakkie to the water, and some instructions, we launched onto the river, and it was a real pretty sight to see 7 canoes wafting down the river at a fairly leisurely pace (although the guide said we were quick - these people don't realise what beef the All Stars bring to our events)
The river is wide, lush and green on the banks, with lots of birdlife, and we saw monkeys and a la-a-a-a-arg likkewaan. No drama, for all the trepidation of some, and we disembarked after 11 kms of paddling , just before we got too tired, and after a brief hang out on a tall wooden deck over the water while the guides loaded the canoes, we bucketed back on the same hard bakkie (much further this time) and had lunch served to us - part of 
the package - at a long table under shady trees next to the pool of the old Imperial Hotel. It was Michael's birthday, although he didn't want to be reminded of it, and Tania produced a vast quantity of chocolate cake and melktert to celebrate. One day he will WANT to be kissed on his birthday!!
So all in all a lovely restful weekend, and may there be many more of them!
Thanks again to Tania and a big kiss to Michael!!
Jenny