Lion's Head 2011 - Walk 4

Date: 22 February 2011

Location: Lion's Head

Walkers: Helen & Brenda

*** Route plotted here ***

Archive of Lion's Head walks here.

The weather seems to be cooling off (just a little!) and I am starting to feel more energetic than I have in weeks. Brenda and I took a walk up Lion's Head, with lots of chatting along the way. Good test of fitness that... can you walk uphill and carry on a conversation? Huff puff.



The vegetation had that late summer look: scruffy and dry.




Without flowers to look at I turned my attention to rocks. I do love the colours and textures of the weathering, and the lichens on the surface.




Brenda is not keen on the ladders either so we went round the front. For some reason today it felt steeper than usual. I really don't have a head for heights; some days I manage this section fine and other days it feels like I'm teetering on the edge and could fall any minute. Today was one of those days, but luckily no missteps or slips. It is a long way down.




Good walk. Exercise and these views make me happy every time!


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Sea Point Prom 2011 - Walk 3

Date: 21 February 2011

Location: Sea Point

Walker: Helen

Archive of all Prom walks here.

Well now, so much for walking the Prom every week!

This year I've really struggled to get into any proper exercise routine. Here we are almost at the end of February and this is only the third time I've managed to get down to the Prom. Tsk tsk. My plans to be super-fit before the Whale Trail (only two weeks away now) haven't worked out either - I'm just hoping I have enough basic fitness left that I manage the hike okay. And I plan to do several walks in the next fortnight to get my lazy legs used to moving every day again - starting today with my usual walk along on the Sea Point Promenade!



As always, once I got myself down to the coast it was an absolute pleasure to be on the familiar route, nicely cooled by an onshore breeze. Conditions were perfect and there were many swimmers and surfers in the water.



There is always something going on on the Prom. Today there was a wedding party having photographs taken.



I also paused to watch three very excited happy collie dogs on the beach. They followed their owner onto the rocks and into the water.




I walked all the way to the end and then all the way back, and felt both relaxed and energized afterwards. Good stuff!


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Back to Camps Bay Beach

Date: 20 February 2011

Location: Camps Bay

Walker: Helen

My previous walk along this beach here.



I felt like a quick leg-stretch so made my way down to Camps Bay for a short walk along on the beach. It was a beautiful hot afternoon, and the setting, below the Twelve Apostles, never fails to take my breath away.



The beach itself looked pretty perfect too, with its round granite boulders, fine white sand and turquoise water. I took an easy stroll from one end to the other, and then back again, barefoot along the water's edge.






Just look at that water, doesn't it seem inviting? I should have had a swim!


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Fan Walk to Cape Town Stadium

Date: 18 February 2011

Location: City Bowl into Green Point

Walkers: Susan, Vanessa, Michele, Dorothy & Helen

Not an everyday walk, this one!


A bunch of us had tickets to see rock group U2 play at Cape Town Stadium (part of their 360° tour). As the show was sold out with around 70 000 people expected to attend, the city encouraged everyone to make use of public transport and/or make their way to the venue on foot. To make this easier they closed off some city streets to make a fan walk to the stadium in the same way they had done last year during the soccer World Cup. We'd really enjoyed walking the fan walk then, so doing so again this time round make perfect sense. And this time I took my camera along!

We parked at Sue's office in the foreshore and walked up to Waterkant Steet. Even though it was only a little after 5pm there were already throngs of people strolling along. After a bite to eat in one of the local restaurants we joined the happy crowd, making our way through town and then up and over the bridge over Buitengracht.




Down to Somerset Road, where the party mood was in full swing.



I think everyone stopped to take a photo of this sign ;-)



It was rather fun to walk down the middle of the road. We took it slow, stopped to eat an ice-cream and watch the crowds. So many people!



The fan walk's only a couple of kilometres so it wasn't long til we reached the Stadium. Surprisingly there were hardly any queues, so we were in quickly. Hooray for efficient organization.



It really is an impressively structure, especially in the golden light near sunset. The whole building seems to glow.




We found our seats - up in the rafters - and marvelled at the incredible stage that had been erected on the field. The claw!



As we had some time to kill we went exploring, ambling along the upper level of the stadium. From here the design makes me think of a boat; the outside skin looks like a sail.




From inside it is translucent, and we could see back to Table Mountain to the left, and the setting sun beyond Sea Point to our right.



We peeked back at the stadium whenever we could. From the northern side we could see the claw from close up. That circular screen is amazing.





Back outside: the sun had set and the full moon was up.



By nine the stadium had filled up and it was time to take our seats and enjoy the concert. That's right.... SHOWTIME!



Wow, it was big fun. And then afterwards, round about midnight, there was the long walk back into town.
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Waterfront to Mouille Point & GPP

Date: 14 February 2011

Location: Mouille Point

Walker: Helen

*** Route plotted here ***

I was unwell for several days towards the end of last week, but was feeling better today and keen to get some exercise. So after work I headed down to the Waterfront and, after running errands, I took myself for a stroll.



From Somerset Hospital I walked along Beach Road to Granger Bay and Mouille Point.




Cape Town Stadium was on my left.



Once I got to the ocean I was grateful for the cool breeze. Such a hot day!



I didn't go along the Promenade, but I could see it was very busy.



Instead I took a turn around the Biodiversity Garden at Green Point Park. It was good to see many people there, making the most of the sunshine.



It really is a lovely spot, so peaceful. After an amble around I made my way back via Bay Road. A short sweet walk!



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