Port St Francis to Cape St Francis 12km trail. Wednesday 16th June 2021

 

Port St Francis to Cape St Francis 12km trail.   Wednesday 16th June 2021

Gerhard and Linda have recently walked this trail and invited us to join them.   Gerhard leads the walk today.   We leave PE at 7.00am,   Meet at the Windfarm at 7.30 and then leave there at 7.50am.   I am dreaming and miss the Humansdort Turn off.  Do a U turn Illegally;  And once in Humansdorp we take the R318 to St Francis.   As we approach St Francis we continue straight at the Circle and then take the 2nd Left to Port St Francis.   I make a mistake and turn left.  After asking directions we find St Francis road.   Continue all the way down St Francis Road until we see the sign to The Harbour.   We meet the rest of the group at 9.00am.   A short toilet break and we start hiking at about 9.15am.   

We walk up and then left into the Nature Reserve.  Through the Reserve and down to the Beach.   Turn Right in an westerly direction towards Cape St Francis -- a long walk on soft sea sand.   At the light house we take a short break, watching the surfers.   We walk back along the beach in an easterly direction all the way to the Point where there is a beacon.   A left turn and more beach sand / pathways until we are back at the Harbour parking area.   This is a 12km hike and takes about 3.5 hours.  There is a lot of beach walking.   Not a difficult trail for climbs.   A little longer in distance than we are accustomed.  

Today we had ideal hike conditions.... Not too sunny and a gentle breeze.   A minimum of 1 liter of water is required.  

After a short walk through the Nature Reserve we emerge onto the beach

Cape St Francis Nature Reserve

We are about 40 in our group today:  Vanessa;  Gillian K,  Adrian and Tania (First time);  Ayanda; Chris and Lilly;  Ayanda, Lungi;  Amanda, Vuyo and Pinky;  Brenda;  Chante and Elvira;  Cheryl;  Dominique; Saverne and Pam;  Faye;  Gerhard and Linda;   Gillian; Sehlon; Kelly and ,,,,,,,:  Ingrid;  Janny;  Lisa who lives in St Francis;  Mark;  Megan Calder was at school with Jessica;  Nelisa and Nihle;  Noelene;  Reana lives in St Francis;  Sally P;  Sharon and Scott and two friends from St Francis;  Sonja and Lila;  

Megan Calder who was at school with Jessica

Walking onto the beach at about 9.30 in the morning 

Surfers at Cape st Francis

Picnic time

Walking in a Westerly direction towards the Lighthouse

Second picnic /  regrouping

Walking down towards the beach

Rocky alcoves

Towards the end of the hike we have a bit of beach

The harbour of Port St Francis

COMMERCIAL CHOKKA OR CALAMARI INDUSTRY

Squid can be caught all year;  However the peak season is from December to January when about 30 to 50% of the seasonal catch is landed

Squid catches generally decline as the Winter season sets in and picks up with Spring

Currently there are two closed seasons a year, namely a 3 month period and a 5 week period

This allows the fish to breed which promotes sustainable fishing

During closed seasons time is spent on Boat Maintenance. 

Cape St Francis Lighthouse

The beacon as we approach the harbour

Surf Rules.   When paddling out -- Join the back of the queue;  No dropping in and when paddling out stick to the white water;  Hold onto your board when you fall off. 

Rip currents pull you out to sea.   To survive a rip -- Swim parallel to the beach;  Stay calm and raise your hand to attract attention;  Swim between the Life Guard Flags;  Relax and allow the waves to assist you back to shore

The harbour of Port St Francis. 

Peter Giddy's hiking and tours group..... To enjoy the outdoors and to discover and explore places you have never seen or experienced.  Meet people and make new friends.  I understand that not everyone is at the same level of fitness and ability.   So I accommodate everyone but providing hikes to suite the individual.   No one is left behind.   

SA Guided Tours and Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

0027 (0) 82 55 03 714    Whatsup
peter.giddy@gmail.com
Addo Elephant Park Day Visit and Night drive. 

• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• Three day tour of Mountain Zebra Park. Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Addo. 
• City Historical and Cultural Tours, 
• Horse riding for both experienced and inexperienced riders
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway  in the Forest; Adventure Quad Biking; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Knysna Elephant Park; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Transfers. Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve.
• Flowers of Namaqualand.  Seven days of adventure and exploring places and sights you never even knew existed.  History and natural beauty of the South West of South Africa
• Karoo to Garden Route. Six days of fun and activities.  Prince Albert; Swartberg Pass; Die Hell; Oudtshoorn; Prince Alfred pass; Plett and Tsitsikamma. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

For tours and bookings.. email me at.    peter.giddy@gmail.com
Contact me on Whatsup....  0027 082 550 3174