They spent four days with Jason and his crew: Ayanda, Arnold and Thando. They hiked up and down Table Mountain, over bridges and along streams and dams in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, stopping often to rest and eat.

The guys gobbled up the sandwiches, saying they’d never had such fancy food on a hike before. Lucy and Willow had prepared sandwiches of roast beef and caramelised onions; smoked chicken with cream cheese and capers; smoked fish paté; and a flavoursome but fiery avocado spread with crackers.

“You girls are welcome to join us anytime,” said Thando, licking his fingers.

Both Lucy’s and Willow’s mothers had also invited them for enjoyable evening meals. They ate and talked, the guys discussing soccer with the dads, roasting marshmallows, and eating some more. They couldn’t get enough of the ‘fresh Cape flavours’ and did not refuse the doggy bags handed to them at the end of the evening.

Nothing could tarnish the experience for Willow and Lucy – except bumping into Christian at the supermarket. They were shopping for Friday’s hike, with the guys in tow, laughing and joking.

“Hey, Lucy-loser! Practising for the challenge? You’ll need it, but it won’t make a difference since you’re going to lose anyway. You know that, right?”

“Christian,” Lucy said, acknowledging him. “Your smack talk won’t help you win. You know that, right?” she said, before walking away with her head held high, saying, “Come guys.”

Saturday evening loomed like an unwelcome debt collector, bringing the fun and festivities to a halt. They all exchanged numbers with promises of keeping in touch, then the guys prepared for their departure having booked spots on the rigorous Otter and Outeniqua hiking trails. They left during the early hours of Sunday morning, long before the sun stuck its head over the horizon and while Lucy and Willow slept deeply and peacefully after their days of exercise and breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Tell us: What about Lucy and Willow’s time with the guys would you have enjoyed? What would you have chosen to do for a fun activity?