Big Bay Beach

Date: 29 May 2011

Location: Big Bay at Blouberg

Walkers: Michele & Helen

Previous walks on this beach here and here.


It was a grey day with rain threatening but we took a chance on a walk on the beach. We parked the car near the Eden on the Bay centre, pulled on our woolly hats, walked out onto the sand and headed north.





The sea was rough and there weren't many people around (except surfers). I love a wild deserted beach!



It was high tide and as we walked along we had to run up the dune to escape the waves several times.



After a way we turned around, and headed back. We could hardly make out Table Mountain across Table Bay under all that cloud.



Each time I see the Big Bay development I am amazed at how big and sprawling it is... really rather ugly. And all built right on the sand dunes.


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Dolphin Beach, Blouberg & Big Bay

Date: 5 February 2011

Location: Table View

Walkers: Michele & Helen

*** Route plotted here ***

Previous walks on this stretch of coast here, here, here and here.

A walk on the beach is always a fun thing to do. We set off from Dolphin Beach on a calm cloudy morning and headed north towards Blouberg.




The water was a clear green and relatively pleasant - well, it didn't make my ankle bones ache after a quick paddle like the cold Atlantic usually does.



Close to Bloubergstrand the sand got very course - it gave our bare feet a good exfoliation. When it got eina we moved onto the paved pathway.




We continued on towards Big Bay. Something about walking on a wide white beach makes me want to walk on and on and on.




But we were thirsty, so decided to pop into the new Eden shopping centre for a cup of tea. I'm still astonished they got permission to build this huge development right next to the sea. It is so ugly and has changed (and in my opinion, ruined) this once-beautiful beach forever.



Looking north the beach seems to go on for miles. Unfortunately so do the new housing developments, just out of the shot.



Looking south one sees the iconic Table Mountain view. At least that never seems to change!



After our refreshments we headed back. Dolphin Beach looked far away...



... but before long we were back at the start. A good 10km walk!


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Marine Drive to Blouberg

Date: 20 June 2010

Location: Table View

Walkers: Michele and Helen

*** Route plotted here ***

Other walks along this stretch of coastline here, here and here.


I haven't been doing much walking these last few weeks... partly because of the weather and the World Cup and partly because I'm still feeling jittery about venturing out onto the mountain (and reports of more muggings worry me greatly). This weekend I was really needing some fresh air and exercise so I met Michele in Table View for a walk along the coast instead.



We parked at the Dolphin Beach parking area but instead of walking out onto the beach we followed the paved path on the near side of the dunes.



We stopped to watch a powered para-glider fly overhead. Fun!




Further along we got a view of the sea and the Seli 1 wreck.



We then joined Marine Drive and continued north on the road.



The views back to Cape Town weren't too bad!



There was a lot of traffic on the road and a lot of people out and about enjoying the sunny and warm weather.



Refreshments, colourful curios, artwork, beach gear and soccer paraphernalia was for sale along the roadside.




All the way along the sand dunes have been under rehabilitation - one is only meant to access the beach via the walkways. I reckon it's working - the dune vegetation looked in good shape.



Then we noticed that there was a bank of cloud coming closer...



... and closer..



... and closer still...



... until it enveloped us! So quickly too!





We continued walking in the mist, through to Bloubergstrand. We saw many beach goers packing up their stuff and leaving the beach. Day over.




The mist was really cold and damp. Brr! We stopped into Ons Huisie Restaurant for a bite of (disappointingly mediocre) lunch.



Then we walked swiftly back along the same route, in the chilly and gloomy mist. Cape Town weather... always unpredictable ;-)


(Photos by Helen)
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