KZN North Coast became a favourite haunt of mine ever since I have run Comrades. We first stayed here in 2011 and every year I have looked forward to spending our winter, Comrades weekend here. With Covid preventing the big race from happening, I realised that I had missed my fix of Umhlanga air. When travel restrictions eased and the beach ban lifted, I realised that I could use my dormant timeshare and promptly booked a trip.
With much excitement, sister and I checked into a very strange OR Tambo airport, with everyone masked, sanitized and wide eyes we arrived at the sea without the familiar salty air, because of a light drizzle. We’d left behind three weeks of grey wet Highveld weather so we were hoping that the coast would be kind to us. It heard our pleas and we managed some amazing early morning runs. I always marvel at how much easier it feels to get up and just go run when looking at the Indian Ocean.
It was sister’s birthday and we started off full of exercise and breakfast and managed a swim in the pool. The water felt a lot warmer than Comrades time. I had also booked a walking tour in Durban and as the tour took us down an interesting Florida road, I wondered if it always felt like holiday time if I lived here permanently. Again we both looked at each other and wished we didn’t have to return inland.
More morning runs with my wee sister looking over her shoulder as she ran ahead, but I didn’t mind because I was busy looking at the waves, dogs, surfers and making sure my exercise wheeze didn’t make people think that I was carrying a virus.
All too soon, it was time to return home. Reluctantly we both packed up and silently conjured up possibilities of making a life at the sea. One day soon!