August 2020. Hiking trails for Port Elizabeth. Lady Slipper; Van Stadens Flower Reserve; Heritage Trail; Roseate Tern Trail; Guineafowl Trails; Kabeljous Nature Reserve; Sacramento Trail; Maitlands Forest Trail.

August   2020.   Hiking trails for Port Elizabeth.  Lady Slipper; Van Stadens Flower Reserve; Heritage Trail; Roseate Tern Trail; Guineafowl Trails; Kabeljous Nature Reserve; Sacramento Trail; Maitlands Forest Trail.


August 2020

Hikes and walks this month:

Lady Slipper 1st

Maitlands Forest  2md 

Heritage Trail. 5th

Kabeljous x 2  8th and 9th

Addo Citrus Farm x 2  10th

Cape Recife 12th

Sleepy Hollow (Exploring with Robin & Janny)  13th

Van Stadens 15th

Kabeljous 16th

Sacramento 20th

Kabeljous 22nd and 23rd.  

Flowers of Namaqualand Tours start 24th Aug

Saturday 1st August.
I have 25 people to take on the Lady Slipper Hiking trail.

 Wonderful rocky outcrops on the hike

 Walking on a fynbos jeep track

 Kaylin and Clio on the top

 Laura has really taken to the hikes.

 A wonderful group of people.

 Peter takes a step to the side to make sure everyone is there.

 The single track pathway.

 Flowers next to the pathway

 Large numbers of people climb this hill on the weekends

 Our group starting the hike

 Views from the top are just spectacular

 Walking towards the peak

Relaxing -- As only young people can do

 King Protea sightings is just one of the treats of being up on the trail

 Today we saw paragliders taking off from the mountain ridge.

 Rocky trails on the ridge section

The Heel of the Slipper

Our group approaching the top of the mountain.

Bottle Brush we find amoungst the pine tree saplings

I think that this is Catsnails

Fountain Bushes. 

Fountain Bushes. 

Lovely views as we climb to the Radio Masts

Every step of the trail is a delight.
We meet at the Checkers Parking.  Then onto the N2 to the V Stadens turn off then right towards Uitenhage and onto the Culturama turn off.   5km of terrible road before we park and get ready for the long climb uphill.   Along the ridge and to the false peak and then finally the last climb to the top of the Lady Slipper.  Relax for a short while.  Have a snack and some water.  And then head back down.  A wonderful 3 hour / 9km walk.   In the group today -- Leonie; Sandra; Laura; Claudine; Cronje; Teagan; Nicole; Benjamin;  Petuna; Heidi; Kaylin; Clio;  Rodney; Gillian; Daniel and Erin;  Ferhan; Keifer and Lincoln; Reece; Gary; Schuyler; Shia; Seth. 

 This is the second time that Albert spots this bushbuck.

 At the start of the trail I do some explaining about the route and introductions

At the break with Leonie and Janny.

Maitlands River Mouth.

Walking in the forest with our group today

 Di Nelson and her friends.   Lucille.  Liesl, Chante.  Megan and Nicole.

 Di and daughter Megan

 Dune views from the Maitlands trail.

 Meet the gang -- Di; Chante; Liesl and Lucille.

Peter on the snack break

 Lene and Jessica go to a Cultural Work function -- Art and Opera.

Walking in the Forest is a wonderfully relaxing activity

 Ronel joined us for the first time this weekend on the Maitland Forest walk

Ronel took this clear pic of the Bushbuck

Jacqui painted this pic of a surfer girl.   Emily and Anabelle.
Sunday 2nd.   I continue with the Hospital pick ups.  This morning I have 35 walking the Maitland Forest trail .  De Stades Route.   On the hike today...  John; Dianne; Megan and her friend Kirsty Harwood;  Janny; Leonie; Jacco; Albert.  Dorian; Nicky; Hanna and Lilly;  Athol is Dorian's brother with Carmen and Morgan;  Laura; Alydia; Lloyd; Gareth; Robyn and Danielle;  Leandra; Darryl; Zoe and Liam;  Liesl; Chante and Lucille;  Phila and Phumlile;  Pat and Ronelle;  Gillian; Seelan and Aneth.  

Ally joined us on the walk today

Andre and myself.   It has been a long time since Andre and I have done anything together. 

Andre ; Janny and Gaye at Rethas trail

Flo; Gaye; myself and Chris at the break

Chris and Ally

Our group today.  Janean; Tara; Jesse; Janny; Sheila;  Sally; Shannon; Robyn; Andre; Chris; Flo; Ally and myself. 

Talking to the group about the Ice Plant (Delicious Sourfig)

Robyn and Pat

Sally;  Sheila and Flo at Retha's Trail 

Silver Dune Chafflowerrs

Tara; Janean and Jesse

Looking across Schoenes from the view point

Tuesday 4th  We bring our hike day forward from Wednesday as we anticipate heavy rainfalls.   We hike the Schoenmakerskop Heritage trails today.  We meet at the Schoenies Canon and walk up the pathway to the start of the Heritage trails.   Over the village and the Restaurant which is now closed.  We exit the village and cross the Schoenies road to the Fynbos trails.  This takes us a little higher and we have the fortunate luck to spot whales frolicking in the rough seas.   The Westerly is blowing strongly and we end the walk into the wind and even some rain as we walk through Retha's trail.  

Tuesday evening.  Cold winds and Rain ..... Chicken broth is the ideal meal to warm us up as we play our game of Rumicub.   

Hebe followed by Sally and Kholeka cross the Bushbuck Bridge

The cairn on the beach.  We add a few rocks

Dune Lookout.  Carmen; Sally; Loretta and Val

On the Bushbuck bridge with Flo

Garlic Buchu. I stole a cutting. 

Garlic Buchu has anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it also contains antioxidants and bioflavonoids, plus vitamins A, B and E

Dune lookout with Kholeka; Sally; Shan and Butch

Cancer Bush   Pink flowers

  Cancer Bush\

Sally on the bench at the Dune Lookout. 

Silver Dune Chafflower

At the start of the walk with Micela; Debbie; Loretta; Bill; Carmen; Flo; Hebe; Kholeka; Quinton; Sally; Debbie; Mark; Kate; Val; Peter; Shan; Butch; Loretta; Chris.  

Tea at the Suikerbossie padstal after out hike.  Butch; Mark; Debbie; Shan and Kate

At the start of the trail 

Dodder Laurels.   --  Yellow trailing grass

Dodder Laurels   Yellow trailing grass

Peter and Bill on the trail at Kabeljous

Madri and Nicky at a Photo Shoot

Many years ago.   We ran the Maitlands road from Minhetti Hotel.  Peter; Pat; Andre and Adrienne

Some of Zara's latest Art 

Zara has a creative streak. 

Saturday 8th.  On the Kabeljous hiking trail near to Jeffreysbay.   With Womblers -- Loretta; Bill; Peter; Val;  Carmen; Quinton; Shan and Burtch; Hebe; Sally; Kholeka; Debbie;  Debbie Mark and Kate;  Flo; Chris and Micela.   After the walk we stop at Suikebossie for tea and pancakes.   This rounds the morning off nicely.  

I think that these are Catsnails. 

Walking on the beach. he Cairn which we continually help to build. 

Dune view point across to Jeffreys Bay

Lagoon walk. 

Catsnails I think

Pic with Reflections -- Christine; Morgan;  Carmen;  Janny;  and Boys:  Umloli and Shlaps. 

Hiking the trail with our group of 26

Wetlands plants and grasses

Pickelweeds.  (Salicornia) make for colourful wetlands

Albert had a Cold Swim

My attempt at an Art Pic

Dune views to J bay

Aloes in flower

Our group loved the beach.  Stopped for snack time. 

On the Dune View Site. 

Lagoon side pathway

Pathway in the Aloe and Euphorbia Forest

Pickelweeds.   Adapted to salty wetlands   Pink wetland plant. 

Purple Dew Plant   Wetland succulents. 

Sunday 9th.   I have a second group for the Kabeljous trail.  On the walk today:  Gillian and Seelan;  John; Di and Megan;  Liesl; Lucile; Christine and Noeksie;  Athol; Carmen and Morgan;  Dorian; Nicky, Hanna and Lily;   Teresa; Laura; Lloyd; Gareth and Lucile;  Janny; Jaco and two boys (Umloli and Shlaps);  Albert = 26 walking.   Again we stop at the Suikerbossie padstal for tea and pancakes.  Lovely weather and a great hike enjoyed by everyone.   

Walking in the Orchards

Masked raider with a cosh about to strike. 

Keith explains why he has to have cattle. 

Keith shows how the Blemishes are caused by Wind and pests. 

Keith does an introduction to the farm and how it all came about. 

We had two lovely groups total of  over 40 people. 

Maria and Leonie listen attentively

The oranges yeild has been good to Keith this year. ch

Checking the fruit destined for Soga juicing factory

Keith explains the use of oranges for both Juice and table. 

Sheila; Sally and Peter 

Keith demonstrates the SOGA Rockets and Juices. 

Group -- Leonie;  Maria;  Athol ;  Janice and Peter.  

Orchards of Oranges. 

Rosedale is the name of Keith's citrus farm.   It was given this name by early farmers.  I believe it is a combination of Mr Rose and has wife Dale. 

Monday 10th .    A public holiday as Sunday 9th is Womens Day.   Today I have arranged for two groups to visit Keith and Nondumiso Finnemore's Citrus farm in Addo.   In the first group is Janny; Janice; Athol and Maria;  Leoni and Rhet;  Laura; Lloyd and Gareth;  Sihaam; Tashana; Lishaan; Tasrique and Zharian.   Ferhan;  Mark and Debby;  Sally and Sheila;  Rob; Venessa and Megan. 22 people.    And in the second group starting at 11.30am -- Gillian; Seelan; John and Ren;  Kelly; Brett; Daniel and Alex;  Colin and Natasha;  Bob and Jean.   Dorian; Nicky; Hanna and Lily;  16 people.   Keith does an introduction and then we walk around the orchards where he explains the methods of Organic Farming and how they differ from using pesticides.   Both groups really enjoy his presentation.  He is a shareholder of SOGA organic juices and is sold out of the stock that he has brought along   He offers a juice after the walk.  

Nearr to Cape Recife Lighthouse

Bird Hide in the Cape Recife Nature reserve

Birds seen are the Blacksmith Plover,  a Heron and ducks

Looking across at the bird hide with Janean; Gaye and Lee. 

The bridge across the wetlands. 

Bushes of the Cape Recife nature reserve and lighthouse in the background

Walking the trails

Chris and Elmarie on the walk. 

Chris; Janny and Lara.  Lara rescued a fish, put it in the water and it seemed to be able to swim away. 

There are a couple of dune climbs on this walk. 

Dune steps make the climb a little easier. 

Steps on the trail. 

Gulls at the Lighthouse

Knotweeds or Water peppers. 

Janean on the Observation post

Janny and Shannon

NMU admin building

I picked up a piece of piping.   Chris hunts for Red Bait. 

Bearded Lichen. 

Rocky pools onthe beach walks

Rocks on the beaches. 

Snack break as we leave the bushy part of the walk. 

Beach walking.  Today Chris and I were the only men in the group. 

Plenty of sea shells to collect. 

Shannon asks me if I will be stopping these walks when I am able to start touring again. 

Silver dune chafflower. 

Approaching the area for our snack break. 

Climbing onto the observation post

.Wednesday 12th August.   The hike today is from Pine Lodge Inn into the Cape Recife Nature reserve and around the Lighthouse.  Known as the Roseate Tern Trail.  In the group today is Chris and Elmarie, Janny, Lee Collier,  Gaye Stevenson,  Shannon, Janean;  Sally and Sheila,  Natasha and daughters Lucy and Lara. Natasha and Lucy are both EP Fishermen and have come first in their category for the Province.  A number of first time walkers from Laubscher Park include Alida; Maretha; Mouretha and Annatjie.  Friends of Sheila and Sally are Margie Sandhurst; Moira; Chrystal and Rene Rudman -  20 walkers in total. 

Robin;  Janny and Peter at the Sleepy Hollow trail.  Loerie Trail.  Steep uphill to start the walk. 

Robin reaches the top of the hill

Cows in the Meadows

We find the Bosvark Trail and walk down this steep downhill. 

The waterfall is a substantial and difficult walk

We go into Mine number 2 for a short look see

Heather?

Steep uphill as soon as you start this trail. 

Christian passes his learners licence for motor vehicle and motor bike. 

Sad day in Port Elizabeth when we lose such a special person.   Ingrid made the ordinary beautiful 

Barbara captures the image of Jessica. 

Sweet Pea Shrub. 

Cattle trough on the Neighbours Farm. 

Stream we have to cross at the end of the trail. 

The walk to the waterfall is rocky and difficult

Spartan Heath.   Known as Heather. 

Lourie or Loerie trail.  Xhosa is Ingolomi -- we know this bird as the Knysna Loerie.   Today we saw a couple of thes beautiful birds as they disappeared into the trees. 

Porcupine quill on the trail. 

Robin.  Oh did we get lost today. 

Tom has started wall climbing. 

Zara surprises everyone with a new creation. 

Thursday 13th.  Wind has started to blow strongly.   After my morning pickups for St Georges Hospital, I meet Janny and Robin and we drive to Blue Horizon Bay, Mother Goose turn off and Sleepy Hollow resort to explore the hiking trail.  

This afternoon I meet Chris (brother of Andy) at the Airport for a St Francis Transfer.  

Friday 14th.   After my pickups at the Hostpital I collect stuff from Daff. 

Then I start some cooking --- Chrunchies;  Tuna Tarts;  Breakfast tart;  Stewed Apples

Barbara does a Rhino Watch and Ally goes to a birthday party for Kelsey Vaughn. 

Van Stadens Flower Reserve..  White protea   King Protea

Van Stadens flower reserve.  Albert and Carin

Picnic break with Sharon; Sandra and Anna Marie

Flowers. 

Peter demonstrates the trais

Wartstem Pincushion

Pink Protea

Rocky pathways on the River Trail

Under the Van Stadens N2 bridge

Flower 2    Part of the Stone Crop Family?

Red Protea.   Common Sugarbush

Windy section on the River Trail. 

Pathways at the start of the River Trail .

Yellow Flowers

Peter and the Bridge

Saturday 15th.   Today I have a V Stadens Flower Reserve Hiking trail.   A smaller group and some people who have never done this one before. 

On the Van Stadens Hiking trail today.    Albert; Sonja;  Cheryl; Aletheia; Carin;  Sandra; Anna Marie; Sharon;  Jeanne;  Burnita;  Mark;  Noelene

So sad that we have recently lost Sherry Giddy;   Ingrid Du Toit and now Sherra Lee Vaughn. the mother of Allys friend Kelsey who lost her father about 5 years ago when he died while paddling in St Francis Bay.  

Sunday 16th

Kabeljous Hiking trail.   I take Mark; Jeanne; Pat;  Ronel;  Janny and Albert.    Also on the trail -- Faye;  Mary;  Monica and Maria;   Jenny; Christopher and Lara;  Shannon.   Sheila; Sally and Judy

Building the Cairn at Kabeljous.

Cold day for a hike.   We all loved it 

Wetlands. 

Hiking with.  Maria and Faye.   Monica and Mary

Lara and Christopher look at the Kabeljous River

Tea at the Suikerbossie with Ronel; Mark. and a warm fire

Crossing the Porcupine Bridge

Peter and Pat at the start of the Kabeljous

Pancakes for Christopher and Lara at the end of the hike

Mark; Jeanne and I share a joke

Crossing the Porcupine Bridge

Euphorbia Forest

Tea and Pancakes with Ronel; Jeanne; Mark; Judy and me

at the coffee shoppe with Mary; Faye;  Monica;  Maria and Albert

Sunday was great == It rained;  It was cold;  The wind blew.   But everyone loved the outing.  Kabeljous hiking trail followed up with tea and pancakes at the Suikerbossie is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday Morning.  

We have just learned that the Corona Virus rate of infections is starting to ease up and that we are now allowed Inter Provincial Travel.  So it is with great delight that Peter Joseph and I are able to plan Flower Tours starting 24th August and 2nd September.   I will miss the hikes but will get back to them when I return from Namaqualand. 

Each morning when I take staff to the hospital, I have these peacocks and Peahens walkng past.   A real pest for the Hospital. They make a huge mess and cannot be chases away.  

Monday 17th.  

Working on the upcoming flower tours as well as hikes for the week. Hospital transport.    Bank for Nicky takes forever with long queues.   Combi in for service.  Hospital to meet Liam to discuss how to handle the Nursing Staff Transport.  Dole stuff.  

I explain the history of the Sacramento Trail. 

Benny and Carin on the hidden bench. 

Benny and Carin on a sand covered bench. 

Silver dune chafflower

Our break is made by Carin and Aletheia bringing coffee and Oreo's

The Sacramento memorial. 

Carin and Aletheia having coffee

Bietou Bush

Bietou Bush

Dune Felicia

C

Coffee and Oreo from Carin and Aletheia

Rock pool at our stop 

Cynthia and Cheryl emptying sand from shoes. 

Dune Felicia. 

Trailing african daisy

Trailing African Daisy

Sacramento Trail. 

Leonie enjoys the coffee

Shannon and Carin. 

Rock pools on the Sacramento Trail

View Point with Cheryl and sister Cynthia. 

Yellows chafflower

Yellow flowers on the Chafflower

Silver dune Chafflower

Benny crossing the bridge

Thursday 20th.   After a few bitterly cold wet days ,  today turns out fine except for the west wind.   We meet at Schoenmakerskop and walk the Sacramento Trail.   10 of us.   Aletheia; Carin; Shannon; Cheryl and Cynthia; Benny;  Albert and Faye; Leonie and myself.   

The Ox Wagon built 1938 to commemmorate the Groot Trek of 1838.  Magrieta Prinsloo at 12 year old child survived the slaughter of her family and others when Dingaans impis attacked the Lager after the killing of the Piet Retief enjoy. . 

The Ox Wagon is housed in a barn like room at the Hoer Skool Cillie. 

The Kabeljous hiking trail is a delight. 

Elmarie and Andre. 

Hello Aloe with Gillian. 

Tea and Pancakes at the Suikerbossie padstal with Jenny and Catherine  Dean

Toktokkie Beetle. 

children at the Kabeljous River watching Mullet jumping out the water

Peter explains the route

Bridge Reflections with Izzy, Rebecca. Daniel, Kate, Stephen, Angela

Children in the water.  

Early morning sunrise on the Kabeljous Trail. 

Saturday 22nd.   I have a group hike at Kabeljous.   Every time I take peope here it is a great success.   On the hike today; 25wallers;   Mike; Jenny; Catherine and Ross; Elmarie and Andre; Gerhard; Albert;  Clint; Astrid; Kaylin; Clio; Mason.  Cheryl; Gillian;  Sam; Peter;  Daniel; Rebbeca; Kate and Luke;  Angela; Stephen;  Izzy and Benjy.  

Sunday morning 23rd.  

Kabeljous Trail for the last time this month.  5 times this month.  This trail has proven to be most popular.  The tea and Pancakes at the end makes it into a special day.  

Between Carnarvon and Williston.  About 7.30am.   The temperature is Zero Degrees.   Hebe.  Martie,  Sally,  Janny and Sheila.  

Monday 24th August to Sunday 30th August 2020

I am finally getting going on the 7 x day Namaqualand Flower Tours.   I pick up Sally; Hebe;  Sheila;  Margie and Janny.   A fun group of ladies who bond and have a wonderful time together. 

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