Klipriviersberg nature reserve

What a wonderful day. Got home exhausted but felt great.

This is a great reserve to walk/hike at. There are many people and some are faster than others but everyone is enjoying the great outdoors. I only did some of the trails, the brown one, bit of the blue, red and green but a mish-mash and in a loop to get back where I started from. Crossed over on the pipeline and avoided the steep and rocky hills because my intention had been to go for a leisurely walk. But five hours later when I ran out of water I really wanted to call it quits. I started chatting to this guy and the went right past the exit so I had to go all the way back again. Argh. Ha, ha!

Rhino and Lion Park revisited (again)

Went along to the Rhino and Lion Park with another group of friends. Always a great day out, I would recommend it. Better than a zoo. Great for kids. We had some wonderful moments watching the rhino and the lions. Pack a picnic or have a braai.

Land reclaim

I realise that nature is trying to reclaim the space my house is occupying in bolder moves. It started off slowly, and I left it because it looked so pretty but now the more I try to push it back the more aggressive it is in claiming the house.

Have you noticed how quickly an abandoned house breaks down, how quickly nature covers all trace of its existence? ;-)

Finding sanctuary

For so many years I have been wanting to go to Mountain Sanctuary Park. Friends that went and raved about it have divorced while I am still getting my shit together to book and go. It's not even that far, I don't understand what the delay was other than procrastination.

Of course as soon as we check in and they say: It's a bit of a steep climb I know that I have been dazzled with pictures of water pools and streams and failed to realise it was in the mountains, despite the name Mountain Sanctuary Park, duh! Pay attention, sweet thing. 
They also tell us that because there has been the drought there is no water in the pools. What? We just passed the Buffelspoort Dam and it sure was full. Okay, so I am not going to see any of those amazing sights you have on your website, hmmm. I don't really care. The quiet is so wonderful - die stilte. 

As soon as our things are in the cabin we take the hike to the rapids, it's just after noon and it is very hot, I am grateful I brought a hat. The only sound I hear are my shoes dislodging the stones on the gravel as I walk. When we stop I can hear the birds, insects, baboons calling and my stomach rumbling. We don't see another person. Even when we go to the West Pool there is no one. We only see the soles their shoes imprinted in the sand. We sit in the shade on a rock and enjoy where we are. A deep breath and a prayer of thanks.

The baboons are getting closer and their grunts are intimidating enough to make me want to move on. We go across the rocks, up above the pool and on the way back we see the baboons in the tree we had been sitting under. Yes, your territory, I understand. 

The swimming pool at Mountain Sanctuary Park is an oasis, a beautiful spot and with the sun going down it is a remarkably romantic setting. 

Although there is electricity in the cabin we don't switch on any lights. We sit outside and watch as more and more stars are revealed in the darkness. Wonderful. I cannot imagine the sky able to support the weight of all those stars. It takes one's breath away. 

Next morning we are up early, we had planned on being out before the sun crept over the mountain but really what's the rush? So then to the pools (with no water) in the east. Yes, one can imagine how magnificent it must be when each hollow is filled with water. Imagine how the river splashes from pool to pool, the water clean, clear, cool and refreshing. Exactly as per the photographs on the website. Sigh.

After that, past the reservoir and climbing, climbing (not that steep really). I keep thinking I can't go any further, it's too hot and we still have to go back but I want to see want is beyond that ledge, and the next and the next. Until we peer over one and discover water. Not like the discover of water, duh. The grotto, the water source, that has trickled down the narrow crack between the rocks and cut itself a groove across the stones, that followed the easiest path down the hill. Refreshing. Sat here for awhile, and ate our breakfast. Cheese, biltong and nuts. 

On the way back, we didn't want to rush it, so we climbed up onto a rock and wondered why we were alone, where is everyone? The sun on your face and clean air, really, who needs anything else.

But back we must go, and back home too.

Met a couple going up as we were going down, the girl looked happy, the guy looked grumpy, and sunburnt.

Baboons never the camp, gosh, but they are big. Apparently there are two groups that often have a territorial fight, tearing trees down and scaring the campers.

Ai, on the dirt road driving out thinking we should have booked for longer. So lucky to have these moments and experiences. 

blowing in the wind

I tried to photograph the Blackjacks but the wind was blowing them about all the time. So I overlapped the 4 pics I took to create the movement.

Walking along the stream

Sunday morning we drove to the Modderfontein Nature Reserve and went for a 2 hour stroll along the stream. So soothing to listen to the water and the birds. Lovely. Good for the soul.

Gentle but wild things

Up the next morning, Sunday, and off to hike at Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve. The sun was out so it is hot, and it's in Pretoria, so hotter than you think. But we had hats and water, so all good.

From the car park you can see the buck, and zebras. 27 steps later and the ostriches put on a display, not for us, but for love, I think.

A much gentler climb than yesterday and walking through the woods expecting to see duikers but didn't. Wouldn't you expect to see duikers on the Duiker Trail?  Beautiful drapes of moss everywhere, in different shades of green. More grasses and pretty flowers and different from the ones we saw at Kloofendal. 

So good to be outside, good thoughts and plans for the year start to take shape as we amble along the path. 


A most enjoyable morning.

Along the ridge, east to west

You know how you drive past a place and you think: I should go there some day and have a look. Then years pass, but one day you do it, you follow the directional boards and you're actually there. So this is how we ended up doing a hike at Kloofendal Nature Reserve on Saturday morning. 

We selected the Dassie Trail because it wasn't the shortest, or the longest. I should have realised that I would need the agility of a dassie, or mountain goat, for this terrain. We only saw one dassie but I am sure many of them saw us. I stop to photograph every little flower, yes I know, so very annoying. That's why we can't hike in a group with others. But the flowers and grasses are all so pretty. Wonderful bird life. It was a great walk and we will be going back.

Reitfontein Nature Reserve

A short little hike through the Reitfontein Nature Reserve before breakfast on Saturday morning. We saw the buck and he saw us ;-)

Tones and textures of nature

Sunday morning walk

Got up early on Sunday, went for a jog in my neighbourhood, then got in the car to take a walk in Norscot Nature Reserve ;–)

Dragonfly

Bumbling along

Brown palette

On that same walk in the veld.

Green palette

A walk in the veld.

Moodboards

one - I am a reflexologist two - free as a bird, a tame bird happy to be wild three - lunch at a friend's house four - melktert and coffee with K five - embroidering while we wait for supper six - first fire of winter seven - chickpea flat bread eight - open wound, I can't get my tin opener to work, argh! nine - supper in front of the fire

All bark and no bite

Natural art

Norscot Koppies