Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Early May News


The 12 day holiday over Easter Weekend, Freedom Day and Workers' Day seemed to bring Cape Town to a standstill so it was a good time to burrow down. We're both over our colds, getting back on the mountain for healthy hikes. We managed two this past weekend - what a change from being bundled up at home, cold and miserable!

Saturday we walked local, to the contour path in Newlands forest up the hill from us. It's a good trudge uphill, and then a marvelous long track that winds its way through indigenous forest with sporadic views out east to False Bay and the Hottentot's Holland mountains. The contour path averages about 300 metres above sea level and runs all the way from the west side of Table mountain, then around Devil's Peak, and finally along the flanks of the eastern side of Table Mountain as far as Constantia Nek - could take a good day to walk the whole trail.

Sunday was mothers' day and we joined my daughter, Nan, for a short 1 hour ascent above St. James/Kalk Bay. We love this loop hike, starting at Ou Kraal. Nan and I got to do a lot of chatting at the top, once we were up the never-ending steps and incline. The sea looked pretty angry; big waves, muddied waters close to the shore, but the sun was out for us and the fynbos was green and healthy. The giant Protea Cynaroides was in flower, looking stunning. Sunbirds flitted from bush to bush, twittering busily. Quite magical.

Protea Cynaroides

This weekend we will be in the northern Cederberg with the students, following the Sevilla Rock Art trail. Bound to be some photos.

Til then ...

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