More Flowers in Newlands Forest

Date: 18 December 2011

Location: Newlands Forest

Walkers: Dorothy, Michele, Brenda & Helen

For all walks in Newlands Forest see the Newlands Forest archive.

We followed Dorothy's preferred route. First, up alongside the river.



Then we crossed over the stream to the left bank and straight up the steps.




This leads directlty to the Woodcutter's Path. As always, cool and green within the indigenous forest.



We walked back down on the road...



... and back into the shade of the forest as soon as could.



Slice of moon hanging over the mountain.



Flowers, indigenous and otherwise, spotted on the walk:








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Flowers in Newlands Forest

Date: 27 November 2011

Location: Newlands Forest

Walkers: Helen & Brenda

For all walks in Newlands Forest see the Newlands Forest archive.



Brenda and I went strolling up into Newlands Forest, no particular destination in mind. We followed the path alongside the stream...



.... and uphill through the trees...



... and up again, until we reached the Woodcutter's Trail.



As always, it was wonderful to be in the quiet green stillness.



The path brought us out near the stand of silver trees. They are growing so happily here, on this sunny north-facing slope.



We spotted some early summer flowers hereabouts too. Pink Watsonia borbonica, complete with bee.




A white Ixia, with colourful centre.



And the blue sceptre flower, Aristea capitata.



We also saw some flowering plants that are clearly not indigenous. Not sure what they are though... garden escapees of some sort I suppose?



This one had a delightfully fresh citrus/minty scent.



Instead of heading straight down we took several side paths through the pine trees, slowly zig-zagging down the slope, with an occasional glimpse of the mountain behind.




The last section of our walk was along the lower part of the Littlewort Trail. We found lots of flowers in this fairly open area.



Particularly pelargonium and lots more aristea.




And - my particular favourite - tall sprays of snow-white Ixia.


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Newlands: Littlewort Trail

Date: 29 November 2009

Location: Newlands Forest

Walkers: Dorothy, Helen & Michele

Archive of all walks in Newlands Forest here.

We met up for a late afternoon amble through the trees of Newlands Forest.



Just to the right of the main notice board we saw a sign for the Littlewort Trail, so we decided to try this route. Here, at the start, we noticed route marker "A", a little further on "B", so presumed we needed to follow these short log pillars to complete the trail.




Although there's no map or information available here at Newlands, I've since learnt* that this is a self-guided educational trail and one can get hold of a brochure that describes the route. The route markers indicate points of interest on the way (geology, vegetation, etc).




The path led us through various different forest environments. It was a very easy and pleasant stroll, even if we weren't sure to what we should be paying attention!




Somehow we lost our way after marker "L" - I think by taking a right instead of a left at a T-junction. We found ourselves on one of the main roads through the pines, and decided to follow this instead, a route with which we're very familiar. We meandered back down to the start.



In the pine forest we were very intrigued by a bush bearing red flowers and small green berries, which ripen to black, in little bunches hidden under the leaves. So eye-catching! Any idea what this might be?


(Photos by Helen)

* My googling of "Littlewort Trail" led me to this article. I was impressed to read that the blogger went to the trouble to track down the brochure. Wouldn't it be nice if the authorities made it, and a map, available online?
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