Plett: Back to Keurbooms Lagoon

Date: 10 August 2011

Location: from Goose Valley Golf Estate, near Plettenberg Bay

Walkers: Helen and Vanessa

My previous walk down to the lagoon here.

We took a little stroll from our holiday accommodation through the Goose Valley estate gardens, down towards the lagoon. The Robberg peninsula was visible in the far distance.



We passed through the gate and followed the wooden boardwalk.



It was a gorgeous still afternoon.



And it was beautiful down at the water's edge. Soft and silvery.



We meandered along the shores for a while. As we left we could see the houses of Keurebooms River were catching the last of afternoon sunshine.


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Back to Keurboomstand

Date: 8 August 2011

Location: Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay

Walkers: Vanessa, Dorothy & Helen

Previous walk on this beach here.



In the late afternoon we took a drive to the little holiday village Keurboomstrand and followed the wooden board-walk down to the beach.



Much sand has been washed away here and it was not possible to walk around the rocks to the next stretch of beach.



Instead we meandered about for a bit, then took a table at Enrico's and enjoyed a drink and a pizza as the day ended.


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Keurboomstrand and Matjes Cave

Date: 14 June 2009

Location: Keurboomstrand, near Plett

Walkers: Michele, Claudia, Richard, Helen

**** Route plotted here ****

Keurboomstand is a small seaside holiday town a few kilometres east of Plett. We left our car in the parking area and followed the wooden board-walk down to the beach.


(Photos by Michele)

I'd forgotten that the beach sand in this area is golden yellow.



(Photos by Michele)

The sea was rough and too cold for swimming.


(Photo by Helen)

We meandered along the beach, amazed at the wonderful rocks.



(Photos by Michele) (Photo by Helen) (Photo by Richard)

Black oystercatchers sat in the sun.


(Photo by Michele)

At the water's edge we saw a large jellyfish. With tentacles!


(Photo by Helen) (Photo by Michele)

There were many tiny black mussels on the rocks.


(Photo by Michele) (Photo by Helen)

At the end of the main beach we squeezed through a gap in the rocks to reach another beach and the estuary of the Matjes River.


(Photo by Helen)

Richard had taken the cliff-top path and got great views of this from above.


(Photos by Richard)

It was a peaceful and unspoilt spot.



Michele found Gandalf's staff there!


(Photo by Helen)

In fact, there was a lot of driftwood around.


(Photo by Helen) (Photo by Michele)

On the next stretch there was an extraordinary rock formation: an arch with a little window above.... a sort-of clerestory.


(Photo by Michele)

Beyond this was a signboard informing us that we were entering the Tsitsikamma National Park. The coastline was becoming increasingly rough and rugged, so we turned round at this point and headed back.


(Photos by Helen) (Photo by Michele)

Back at the river we followed the sign up the hill, through the thick coastal bush, up to the strandloper cave. This is the Matjes River Rock Shelter.



(Photos by Helen) (Photo by Richard)

It was fascinating to learn more about this ancient midden, the people who lived here long ago, and the archaeological research done at this site.


(Photo by Helen)
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Plett: Keurbooms Lagoon

Date: 13 June 2009

Location: from Goose Valley Golf Estate, near Plettenberg Bay

Walkers: Claudia, Richard, Michele and Helen

**** Route plotted here ****

Hooray, holiday time! Four of us spent a week in the gorgeous Garden Route. Our first walk in the area was a meander from our accommodation on Goose Valley Estate down to Keurbooms Lagoon.


(Photo by Michele)

We followed the wooden boardwalk through the fynbos.


(Photo by Helen)

It was just a short walk down to the lagoon.


(Photo by Helen)

From here we looked upriver. The large houses of Keurboomsrivier could be seen on the opposite shore.


(Photos by Michele)

In the opposite direction we could see Plettenberg Bay and Robberg in the distance, with wide stretches of shallow lagoon and beach in front of us.


(Photos by Michele)

We followed the path for a bit, and then wandered out onto the sand, enjoying the fresh air and open space.


(Photos by Michele)

This unspoilt river estuary is home to many birds. An information board gave us more information about their habits and habitat.


(Photos by Helen)

Storm clouds had been gathering for a while. Once the thunder and lightning started we decided to make our way back before the rain arrived.



(Photos by Helen)
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