Stroll Behind Bo Kaap

Date: 21 October 2012

Location: Lower slopes of Signal Hill from the Bo Kaap

Walkers: Dom, Dorothy and the dogs

Previous walk in the Bo Kaap area here.

We set from my friend's place on the edge of the Bo Kaap, following the road that leads to the Noon Gun.

It was late afternoon and very windy, but as we got further up the road it was more sheltered and quite lush and green, very rural. I'd never have guessed this pretty little road was right there on the edge of town.

And the views of the city are wonderful.

We didn't go all the way up the hill as it was getting late - will have to return for further exploration another time.

Meander along the Table Mountain Contour

Date: 6 October 2012

Location: Table Mountain

Walkers: Brenda and Helen

*** Route plotted here ***

The Table Mountain Contour Path archive is here.

Brenda and I parked at Platteklip Gorge and walked down Tafelberg Road to the start of the Saddle Path. Up the steps we went.

Alongside the path we saw clumps of the painted lady, Gladiolus carneus.

 

 

 

Also spotted this yellow one, which I think is Sebaea exacoides.

A powderpuff, Pseudoselago spuria. 

And one of the loveliest pelargoniums, Pelargonium myrrhifolium var. myrrhifolium.

We followed the Saddle path up to the intersection with the contour, then right along the contour towards Platteklip Gorge.We passed lots of pretty pink erica on these slopes.

 

We passed Platteklip and continued on the contour.

 

Perched on rock alongside the road, a small bird of prey. Lucky sighting!

Lots of happy fynbos hereabouts.

We took the alternative route down, just past Platteklip Gorge. This path isn't very well used, but it is a nice easy descent.

 

On the way down we saw a small fire below Tafelberg Road. A fire engine appeared on the scene very quickly and fortunately by the time we passed it the incident was taken care of. Well done, fire-fighters!

Babianas at Kloof Corner

Date: 2 October 2012

Location: Table Mountain

Walkers: Dorothy and Helen

For other walks up Kloof Corner see the archive here.



The days are getting longer and - yay -- it is possible to do walks after work again. This afternoon Dorothy and I went up the steps at Kloof Corner.

Flowers spotted on the way up: Wachendorfia paniculata.

The white scabiosa, S. columbaria.

Another white one. I think it's Dischisma ciliatum.

And one more white one, Adenandra uniflora.

The fragrant crassula, Crassula fascicularis.

And the common Lachenalia fistulosa.

At the top of the steps we found lots and lots babiana, Babiana villosula, in various shades of light blue. So, so pretty!

 

Late Afternoon Walk on Table Mountain Contour

Date: 9 September 2012

Location: Table Mountain

Walkers: Dorothy, Michele & Helen

Archive of walks along Table Mountain Contour Path here.

We followed our favourite route up Kloof Corner steps, along the contour, down under the Cableway path and back on the road.

 

 Some of the flowers spotted along the way: baby blue Lobostemon.

A yellow Hermannia.

 

Pelargonium triste.

And a delicate Trachyandra.

Up Lions Head, One More Time!

Date: 8 September 2012

Location: Lion's Head

Walkers: Michele & Helen

Archive of Lion's Head walks here.

Mich and I set off on the same walk we had done the week before.





We walked quickly and only took a breather on the plateau.



Growing here: fragrant confetti bush, Coleonema album.




Flowers seen on the way down, still covered in morning due: lobostemon.





And this delicate little one which I think is Gladiolus carinatus.