Jack and Jill end the year at Bivane

THE JACK & Jill Hiking Club held its Annual General Meeting and Year End Function at Bivane Dam on the weekend of November 13/15. The Bivane Dam is easily accessible, situated near the centre of the triangle formed by the towns of Vryheid, Pongola and Piet Retief.

The dam was completed in 2000 and was built on the Bivane River, a tributary of the Pongola River. The dam was conceived as a sustainable water supply for the local irrigation scheme, and to secure primary water for the town of Pongola and surrounding communities. Its water is collected in a catchment area of 1600 square kilometres and has a surface area of 700 hectares.

Bivane Dam Reserve offers recreation activities like boating, fishing, mountain biking, hiking and bird watching. Quad bike and 4X4 trails are also available on the reserve.

On arrival on the Friday, the hikers were pleasantly surprised to see a lovely green campsite where tents were pitched, after which the hikers gathered together for a “bring and braai” social evening.

The Bivane Dam reserve has an option of three hiking trails, one of 4km, another of 9km or the hikers can combine both trails and do a hike of 13km.

As the weather was unpredictable on the Saturday, the hikers chose not to take a chance and do a hike in case of being caught out in the mountains during an electrical storm, and instead opted for a relaxing social day. Some hikers had energy to burn off so they hired kayaks and went out rowing on the dam.

At one o’clock the hikers were treated to a tour of the Bivane Dam wall which was found interesting by all, unfortunately another passing storm had the hikers rushing back to the campsite for cover under the gazebo.

A surf and turf supper was arranged and prepared by the hikers for the Saturday night meal and was enjoyed by all, and once again, everyone ate far too much.

Sunday morning the AGM meeting was held and committee members elected. The Jack and Jill Hiking Club would like to wish the committee members all the best for the year ahead.

The next hike is scheduled for January 2016. Willem can be contacted on 082 856 7664 for any enquiries.