Day 23: Dvir to Tel Keshet

I set off again early, leaving the hiker's room on the kibbutz. 

However, when I got to the front gate, it was locked with no easy way to get out. After a few minutes of waiting, I called the night officer - only to see the phone in the small office ringing (with no-one there . . .). Luckily a few minutes later someone left the kibbutz so I could escape.

The path went around and behing the kibbutz

After a few kilometers, the trail followed the railway (the line to Beersheva that took me there two days ago). I passed some camels (they looked happier than the previous ones I met)

There were a few tels on the way, but otherwise very flat, and mostly fields of crops

At one point the trail goes under the railway. It was mostly filled with water, but there was a way to get through without getting wet. This wasn't made easier by the sheep who were there enjoying a drink (but they did move by to let me pass :)

I reached the Pura nature reserve - a very popular site during wildflower season (not now, unfortunately). 

However, there was a small stand selling freshly squeezed juice, the perfect place for a break

From this part on there were quite a few other people also hiking this section

The old train bridge (old Turkish railway) was interesting to see - it looked very old, but apparently was only destroyed in the 1970s during a flood

The walking was relatively easy today, apart from a few tels to climb

On top of Tel Nagila there were a few other hikers who also enjoyed the shade of the huge tamarix tree

Along the way I passed one of the trail libraries

From afar, the white rocks really looked like snow (more surprising because of the heat!)

After walking through the Sahd canyon, there was a lot of walking next to fields. I was very happy to reach the shade of the eucalyptus trees in Nahal Shikma

I reached Tel Keshet - the end of the day

There was a nice view from above, but not much to see on the Tel itself

I continued under the road and walked to Ahuzam for my pickup

Day 21/22: Forester's house (Yatir) to Kibbutz Dvir

I set off early after packing up my camp

The walk through the forest was quite pleasant, with lots of shade

We came a few months ago to the forest for a walk, somewhere close to the trail

There were some nice terraces that looked like they had been restored

and a Bedouin encampment right next to the forest (with lots of sheep wandering around)

and lots of butterflies!

I stopped for a break next to this fire-spotting tower. There were two men from Beer Sheva sitting there - they invited me for coffee and stories about the area (in particular about the different trains that used to run)

Next to the tower, there was a memorial shaped like a piano

I stopped for a lunch break near Meitar. As I left  then after leaving the forest, the trail went right next to the (ugly) separation fence

I walked past the settlement of Sansana (I will admit that I had to check on wikipedia to work out which side of the green line it was on)

The old entrance road to Sansana was turned into a basketball court!

I continued along to Kibbutz Lahav

As you reach the kibbutz, there is some sort of lake, with a weird art installation (I think. . . ) consisting of toilet bowls and mannikins. I took a break outside the kibbutz (and appreciated the strategically place shade, table, and bench which made a good place to lie down for a few minutes)

I continued on in the direction of Kibbutz Dvir, through a nice national park

I passed and peeked inside the aptly-named Palm tree cave

There were a few more up and down climbs (described in the red-book as a "roller-coaster type hike"

The sun was close to setting when I finally arrived very tired at Kibbutz Dvir. The trail angel at Dvir told me that I could stay in the hiker's room (*thanks!*), the shower and bed were much appreciated!