Table Mountain: Lower Slopes to Higgovale

Date: 29 December 2009

Location: from Molteno Rd, Oranjezicht

Walkers: Dorothy, Michele & Helen

*** Route plotted here ***

Other walks from this starting point here and here.

Setting off from the top of Oranjezicht we headed up the concrete path.




At the intersection we took the path to the right, and walked along the level in a westerly direction. Lion's Head was in front of us, and the eastern section of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak behind.




Table Mountain loomed above... a rather strange side-on view.



There are some quite large trees growing on these slopes. This area gets less wind than the eastern side as it is protected from the south-easter.



The path turned down and circled past an old quarry.



We then strolled back via the quiet leafy streets of Higgovale. One last sharp bit of uphill up Molteno Road got us back to our car. This was a very pleasant walk for a windy day.



(Photos by Helen)
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Table View Beach

Date: 27 December 2009

Location: Table View

Walkers: Helen & Michele

We went down to the beach on Sunday afternoon, leaving our car on Marine Drive and making our way down to the sand.



The landscape - or should that be the seascape? - is dominated by the wreck of Seli 1. This coal carrying vessel ran aground here early in September and appears to have been abandoned.



Despite the eyesore of this wreck this is a lovely beach, with wide expanses of white sand. It is not often nice for swimming though, as the Atlantic is usually cold and a bit rough.



The wind was blowing rather strongly and the kite-surfers were out.




I love watching these guys: all the getting-ready on the shore...




... and all the activity on the water!




There were plenty of other spectators and photographers on the beach.



On second thoughts, the wreck makes a great backdrop to the action!


(Photos by Helen)
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Christmas at Kirstenbosch

Date: 25 December 2009

Location: Kirstenbosch

Walkers: Dorothy, Helen & Michele

For my previous walk in Kirstenbosch see here.

A gang of us met up in the botanical garden for a picnic lunch on Christmas day. It was a lovely sunny day and we had a delicious feast. We didn't manage much of a walk, but a couple of us did stroll around the upper reaches of the garden between courses.




The beds were looking wonderfully lush and green for this time of year.





We didn't see much wildlife although we did watch a large wasp carry off an even-larger spider. Wow, that was rather amazing to see.



Most of the day was spent chatting, laughing, eating and relaxing together on the lawns. It was a lovely day. Thanks everyone for a great Christmas!




(Photos by Helen)
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Vermaaklikheid: Hill Circuit Counterclockwise

Date: 20 December 2009

Location: Vermaaklikheid

Walkers: Helen, Ian & John, with Nunu

**** Route plotted here ****

Ian and John came to stay with me on my last night in Vermaaklikheid. The next morning we decided to have one last walk and swim. We set off on the same route I'd done a couple of days earlier, but this time the other way around. So we headed up the valley first.



We took the path up and over the hill and made our way down to the river.





We swam - one last glorious wallow in the cool water. And then Dom rowed over from The Rivershell, the house he'd taken upriver with his guests that had arrived the day before, to say hello and goodbye.



After that we strolled back along the road. Time to pack and head home :(


(Photos by Helen)
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