Port Elizabeth hikes and walks. October 2020
Aloes in Winter makes the Eastern Cape a special place to visit.
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
Hikes and walks this month
Sunday 4th. Sacramento
Wednesday 7th. Cape Recife
Friday 9th. TsiTsikamma and Bungy Jump
Sunday 11th Maitlands Forest
Wednesday 14th. Lower Guinea Fowl trail from Badminton courts
Saturday 17th we are at Hankey for the Mooihoek Strawberry picking and Vensterberg climb.
Sunday 18th -- Van Stadens flower reserve trails and the Boulder walk
Monday 20th. Robin; Flo and I recce the Upper Guinea Fowl trail and build bridges.
Wednesday 21st. Wednesday walkers and the Upper Guinea Fowl Trail from Sunridge park
Thursday 22nd. Fynbos trail with SAARP
Saturday 23rd. TsiTsikamma and the Waterfall trail followed by the Bridges.
Sunday 24th Berg River trails near to Loerie.
Wednesday 27th. Sardinia bay beach walk
Saturday 31st. Groendal lower blindekloof
Saturday 3rd October. Rain caused us to cancel the Groendal hike.
Breakfast at Rose Garden; Floradale Nursery in Circular Drive. Hebe; Sheila; Janny; Sally; Margie and Moira. All but Moira were on the first Flower Tour of August 2020
I meet the Flower Tour 1 group for breakfast at the Rose Garden in Floradale Nursery.
Janny and Sally
Great views on the trail
Family walk with Celestine; Ryan; Curtley; Jadin and Curtis.
Gay; Yvonne and Linda. friends on the trail
Meems and Shannon -- dozing off.
Up hill sand dunes
The trail has a number of dune climbs.
Janny on the trail
Sally had a great walk
Meems is our athlete on the trail today. Followed by Yvonne and Jeanne
Shannon reaches the top of the dune.
Nicky sends us this pic probably from about 2010. Aaron; Christian; Zara and Mia full of mud.
The Event Planners are Nickys friend Madri and herself
Sunday 4th October. morning after a wet windy few days -- a perfect day for a hike. We meet at the Canon at Schoenmakerskop. Our hike today is the Sacramento trail. A great group of people: Janny; Shannon; Sally; Meems; Celestine; Wayne; Curtley; Curtis and Jadin; Gay; Linda and Yvonne; Jacqui; Jeanne and myself. After the walk we meet for tea at the Sacramento Restaurant.
Monday morning. I finally get up to run. I had hiked with Bob at Van Stadens and he messages me to join Kenny and himself. I run about 5km. At a slow pace and with difficulty. But at least I am out. This evening it is Cell Group. This is the third meeting in person since March. We meet at Claudine and Cronje. Recently Gary and Sue have been meeting with us. Also Charles Du Toit was at the last meeting.
Tuesday 6th. I do the roadworthy and the licencing of the Combi and the Nissan.
Wednesday 7th October 2020. Hiking the Roseate Tern Trail at Cape Recife.
Dune climbs. We stayed close due to a recent negative incident where a mugger attacked hikers.
On the trail --- Pat came with me to the walk; Luzaan responded to an invite that I sent. And AnnaMarie v Deventer.
Walking down to the beach after the coastal fynbos section.
Taking a short break for water and a fruit.
Debbie; Cecilia and Pat with Cape Recife Lighthouse.
At the end of the beach we walk up the steps to the Penguin Sanctuary before heading back to the cars.
The Bird Hide. This section of water has almost completely dried up. The dam is a muddy mulsh.
Wednesday 7th. Cape Recife Hiking trail. Walking with us today: Robin; Di and Jimmy; Dave and Heather; Paul and Rose; Pat; Dave who lent me his hat; Fiona came with Eugene; Luzaan who came on my invitation; Anna Marie v Deventer; Leslie; Dennis; Ian; Flo; Cecilia; Liz -- another first timer; Iva, Des and Jim.
This afternoon our Geyser is replaced. It had burst on Sunday evening. And since then no hot water. This evening Barbara does Rhino Duty.
Bloukrands Bungy jump 261m.
The Bloukrans Bridge.
Lebo and sister watch as their mother and brother jump.
Jacqueline gets fitted out.
Neo puts his harness on .
On the Storms River bridge. Cold and wet.
Friday 9th. I have a booking through Get Your Guide. It is my first with this OLTA (On Line Travel Agency). Jacqueline Mthobi and her family of Neo; Lebo and another daughter. I meet them at the Radisson Hotel and we drive through to TsiTsikamma for a day. It is raining off and on and our first stop is Jeffreys bay for coffee, Then Storms River for a look over the bridge; and then they tell me that they would like to Bungy. Mother (Jacqueline) and Son (Neo) are the jumpers. This is the highlight of the day.
After the jump we begin our return with a stop off at the Nature reserve. But it is raining and they are tired, not up for a walk to the bridges. We skip that and drive back to PE.
Sunday 11th October 2020. Hiking the Maitlands forest walk.
Regrouping. Explaining the Boerboon
Maitlands river mouth.
Walking to the top of the first hill.
Taking a short break in the forest
Faye and Gillian
At the start of the trail, A chill in the air.
Starting the uphill.
DeStades trail is the one that we do. About 9km
Ready to get the hill climb done.
Break for something to eat. Some people bring hot beverages.
Jeanne, Janice and Athol. Regular walkers.
View across to the Maitlands Beaches.
Found a good spot with Lynn; Faye; Sonja and Shannon
Into the forest walk.
Sunday 11th October. A great group of people on the trail today: Jeanne; Lynn; Sonja; Gillian and Seelan; Clint; Astrid; Clio; Kaylin; Mason and two friends; Chezlin and Reece; Gay and Linda; Joanne, Caroline and Lisa; Janice and Athol; Shannon; Gerhard; Faye. It has been raining for the past few weeks and this is a perfect day for hiking. No rain during our walk. Barbara is working on her bird cage. Ally trying to get assignments done.
Monday 12th. Robin and I try to do some exploring of the Upper Guinea Fowl Trail. But too much water in the Baakens River and we have to give up.
Tuesday 13th Canasata with Jimmy and Di at Loubscher Park hall.
Koppie Foam Grasshopper.
Koppie Foam Grasshopper
Everlastings . Plans Chafflower
Everlastings Plains Chafflower
Starting the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail at the end of Alan Drive at the Badminton Courts
On the trail we discover this garden
Baakens Valley walks and trails
At Dodds Farm. Martie spots a woodpecker.
At the end of the trail. Lucy becoming extremely tired. My opinion is that she does not drink enough fluids.
Wednesday 14th. Hiking from the Badminton Hall --- Robin Holmes; Di Briedenham; Jimmy Espanoza; Dennis; Pat Scheepers; Dave Thompson; Iva; Leslie; Ian Andrews; Errol and Mo; Fiona; Martie; Pat; Debbie; Liz Gaute; Jim; Anne Marie v Deventer; Alida; Ceciliat and Kadan; Flo; Lucy; Sally Moolman; Val Coetzee 26 walkers
This evening Barbara takes Gail to the Rhino watch.
Thursday morning -- Running with Bob 8km. Good to be getting out in the mornings again.
Walk to the Harbour Wall with Ron
Lovely day for a walk.
The Wind Sock is in Tatters. So I find another one but the Municipal official will not allow me to put it up. Free Advertising. I go to a variety of officials but still no permission.
Jacqui and family out for a walk.
Friday evening braai time.
Ally wins all three games of rummicub this evening.
Ron at the Harbour wall.
Hankey ---- Always nice to have some background history. So perhaps take a few minutes to read?
This area was home to South Africa's first inhabitants, the Khoi and Mfengu people, centuries ago.
Ironically, it was only in 2002 that the remains of Sarah Bartmann, a Khoi-San woman, were laid to rest upon a hill outside the town. She finally returned to her homeland in death after spending a tragic and lonely life as an object of display in Europe during the 18th/19th centuries. This was one of the biggest events in the history of Hankey and 1000's of people attended. Also in attendance were President Mbeki and a host of other dignitaries.
The following text about Hankey was prepared by Dirk Schellingerhout:
Hankey was established in 1826 and is the Gamtoos Valley's oldest town. It was named after the Rev. William Alers Hankey, an ex-banker and the secretary of the London Missionary Society (LMS). He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The purpose of the establishment of the village was to grow mielies and corn for the LMS main station at Bethelsdorp and also to carry out evangelistic work. The first property was "Wagondrift" owned by the Damant Bros. And although the town was planned for 250 families it started with 25 families. The first inhabitants consisted of a large number of Khoi, a few Mfengos, a few farmers and mixed "Gamtouer" (1700) descendants.
The LMS founded the station in 1822, terminated it in 1875 and in 1876 it became independent from the LMS. It became a Congregational Church as it is today. The first trustees of the LMS were Dr John Philip and the Rev. William Alers Hankey. The first missionaries were Messrs Miles, Melville, Williams, later the Philips' (Will Enowy and Thom Durant Philip)
Dr John Philip was superintendent. Some of the residents were Windvogel, Diederich, Abraham, Stuurman, Dragoonder, Armoed, Scheepers, Mahtjies, Gerts, Matroos, Konstabel and Kettledas. The first white farmers were Messrs. Wait, Salmon Ferreira, Stefanus Ferreira and the Damant Bros.
The first irrigation scheme on the Klein Rivier was started by James Wait in 1827 and completed in 1830. It extended for 3.5 miles and he was awarded 50 cattle and the use of 50 workers.
What the papers said about the opening of the scheme on the Klein Rivier:
"......the course swung into action sending streams of water down its winding length ....."
People came from far and wide to view the spectacle and Dr Philip later declared it the greatest work of its kind ever undertaken in the Colony. Part of this irrigation scheme can still be seen today and forms part of the Hankey Golf Course.
The second irrigation scheme on the Gamtoos River, a National Monument in Hankey today, was carried out by William Enowy Philip, the son of the Superintendent of the LMS, Dr John Philip. His inspiration was the window in the hill between Backhousehoek and Vensterhoek and was dug using pick and shovel and wheelbarrows. The length of the tunnel is 228 meters and the speed of construction was very slow - about 1 to 2 feet a day. It was started in April 1843 and completed in August 1844 - 15 months later. It was in use from April 1845 to 1970 - a period of 125 years. Note: This was the first ever tunnel scheme in South Africa.
A tragedy: The builder of the tunnel, William Enowy Philip, drowned on 1 June 1845 in the Gamtoos River where the present low water bridge to Milton stands and not as is usually believed, on the opening day of the tunnel. He and his niece, also a Philip drowned together when their small boat overturned at the Milton drift.
Mooihoek Strawberry farm is close to the Bergvenster mountain. A steep climb up to the hole in mountain with an amazing view of the farmlands to the west.
Looking back down to the Strawberry farm
Leonie with sister Shona.
Jane and Leonie
Should be
Philips Tunnel I think. See the History below.
Inside the tunnel
A short history of Irrigation in the Gamtoos Valley
In 1829, James Wait, with 50 workmen, started to dig an irrigation canal from the Kein River.
The 3.5 miles canal was to convey water to Hankey and more specifically to the lands below the current railway line. The work was completed within a year. A total of 400 acres was irrigated from the canal.
In April 1843, William Philip, son of Dr John Philip of the London Missionary Society (LMS) started with the digging of an irrigation tunnel between the farms Venterhoek and Backhouse Hoek near Hankey. This was to be the first irrigation tunnel in South Africa and later to be declareda National Monument. Digging began on both sides at once with the objective of meeting in the middle. The tunnel was 6 feet high and 8 feet high (perhaps meaning wide?) and the total length was 260 yards. The work was completed 1844. The two sides met with an error only to 5 inches.
In 1850 the LMS erected a water mill driven by water from the tunnel. The mill remained in operation until 1932 when it was severely damaged by a flood. Although the tunnel was damaged by floods on several occasions it remained in use until the building of the Kouga dam in 1970.
In the beginning of the 1990's a scheme was proposed whereby diversion weirs would be built at a cost of R66 462 for the irrigation of 3 600 hectares as a first approach. Irrigation boards had to be started so that the local community could accept responsibility for the construction and maintenance of the water distribution infrastructure. The first irrigation board was constructed in 1912. Two others quickly followed and a fourth some time later. The first of these schemes, the Reenen scheme was opened in 1916 however the floods of 1916 and 1932 caused severe damage and the weirs had to be rebuilt at great cost.
The first dam to impact on the valley, the Beirvlei dam, was constructed near Willowmore. Water storeage was started in 1956. The flood of 1961 showed how this dam could be used as a flood control structure when potential damage in the Gamtoos was greatly reduced. However the water from this source had a substantial amount of silt and the salt load was also relatively high. Evaporation during storage increased the salt concentration and salt sensitive crops irrigated with this water soon died or did not produce.
The farmers of the Gamtoos Valley continued submissions to parliament for an alternative dam. This eventually led to the approval in 1957 for the building of the Kouga Dam which included an irrigation infrastructure in the Valley. Contstruction commenced in 1959 and was completed in 1970. The Kouga Dam supplies water to 7420 hectares of land in the Valley, Nelson Mandela Bay and maintained by the Gamtoos Irrigation board, recent winner of a National Watetr Conservation and Water demand management award.
,
Picking strawberries with Gay and Linda
Our group today. Gay; Linda; Sheila; Margie; Judy; Rene and Chrystal; Moira; Sally and Hebe; Mike and Jenny; Gillian and Jane; Leonie and Shona; Janice and Marsha.
The Philips Tunnel is a National Monument.
Picking Strawberries.
At the top of the Vensterberg with Jane; Shona; Gay; Linda; Gillian; Leonie; Janice and myself.
Some difficult climbs. Makes for equally tough going back down
A steep climb took us about 30 minutes to the top.
Gillian climbing.
Leonie takes a Selfie. Sister Shona; Gillian; Jane; Janice; Gay and Linda.
Janice squeezing through a gap in the rocks
This evening we have strawberries and Ice cream for desert.
Saturday 17th morning we have a group of about 18 off to Hankey to climb the Vensterberg and to pick strawberries. A wonderful day with lovely people. On the way back we pick up Rowan Pienaar -- a cyclist in distress.
Van Stadens flower reserve. River trail. Just after this Gillian had to take a break as she was feeling weak and nauseous.
Faye climbing up the rocky sections
On the boulder trail with Gillian; Sally and Faye
Gillian and Leonie climbing.
The two boys; Cade and Chad lead the way up.
On the river trail with Faye; Leonie and Sally
Leonie does the Selfie thing at the start of the hike -- Leonie; Peter; Chad; Sally; Gillian; Cade; Gillian; Seelan and Faye.
Under the bridge.
Looking across to the Van Stadens Bridge.
We found this terrapin. Cade took in to where there was some water. A Cape Terrapin?
Ronit protesting against Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi).
Tens of thousands of Israelis are demonstrating against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he is unfit to rule while on trial for corruption charges and accusing him of mismanaging the nation’s coronavirus crisis
Tens of thousands of Israelis calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign demonstrated across the country Saturday evening, saying he is unfit to rule while on trial for corruption charges and accusing him of mismanaging the nation’s coronavirus crisis.
Protesters gathered at hundreds of locations across the country due to a nationwide lockdown that has barred them from protesting at the usual site outside Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem. The current lockdown regulations allow people only to gather within one kilometer (less than a mile) of their home.
The largest gathering at Habima Square in central Tel Aviv drew thousands of protesters, who blew horns and pounded on drums and tambourines. The protesters waved pink and black flags symbolizing various grassroots protest movements. Some of the banners, using Netanyahu’s nickname, said: “Bibi, you are destroying my future.” Others read “Go!”
Police reported clashes with the protesters in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Benjamin Netanyahu (;[3] Hebrew: 
בִּנְיָמִין נְתַנְיָהוּ (help·info); born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israeli history[4][5] and the first to be born in Israel after the establishment of the state.
Born in Tel Aviv to secular Jewish parents, Netanyahu was raised in both Jerusalem and the Philadelphia area of the United States. He returned to Israel immediately upon graduating high school in 1967 to join the Israel Defense Forces shortly after the Six-Day War.[6] Netanyahu became a team leader in the Sayeret Matkal special forces unit[7][8] and took part in many missions, including Operation Gift (1968) and Operation Isotope (1972), during which he was shot in the shoulder. Netanyahu fought on the front lines in the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, taking part in special forces raids along the Suez Canal and then leading a commando assault deep into Syrian territory.[9][10] Netanyahu achieved the rank of captain before being discharged. After graduating from MIT with a Bachelor of Science (SB) and a Master of Science (SM), Netanyahu became an economic consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. He moved back to Israel in 1978 to found the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute, named after his brother Yonatan Netanyahu, who died leading Operation Entebbe.
In 1984, Netanyahu was appointed the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations by Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, a role he held until 1988. He was subsequently elected to the Knesset before becoming the leader of Likud in 1993; he then led the party to victory at the 1996 election, becoming Israel's youngest-ever prime minister. After being defeated in the 1999 election, Netanyahu left politics, returning to the private sector. He later served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance in the government of Ariel Sharon, but eventually resigned over disagreements regarding the Gaza disengagement plan. As Finance Minister, Netanyahu initiated major reforms of the Israeli economy that were credited by commentators as having significantly improved Israel's subsequent economic performance.[11]
Netanyahu returned to the leadership of Likud in December 2005 after Sharon stepped down to form a new party, Kadima.[12] Although Likud finished second in the 2009 election to Kadima, Netanyahu was able to form a coalition government with other right-wing parties and was sworn in as Prime Minister for a second time.[13][14][15] He went on to lead Likud to victory in the 2013 and 2015 elections.[16] After the April 2019 election resulted in no party being able to form a government, a second election in 2019 took place. In the September 2019 election, the centrist Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, emerged slightly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud; however, neither Netanyahu nor Gantz was able to form a government.[17] After continued political deadlock, this was resolved when Likud and Blue and White reached a coalition agreement following the 2020 Israeli legislative election. Under the terms of the agreement, the premiership would rotate between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, with Gantz scheduled to succeed Netanyahu in November 2021.[18]
Since December 2016, Netanyahu has been under investigation for corruption by Israeli police and prosecutors.[19] On 21 November 2019, he was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud.[20] Due to the indictment, Netanyahu is legally required to relinquish all of his ministry posts other than the prime minister position.[21][22]
After graduating from high school in 1967, Netanyahu returned to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces. He trained as a combat soldier and served for five years in an elite special forces unit of the IDF, Sayeret Matkal. He took part in numerous cross-border assault raids during the 1967–70 War of Attrition, rising to become a team-leader in the unit. He was wounded in combat on multiple occasions.[10] He was involved in many other missions, including the 1968 Israeli raid on Lebanon and the rescue of the hijacked Sabena Flight 571 in May 1972, in which he was shot in the shoulder.[28][29] He was discharged from active service in 1972 but remained in the Sayeret Matkal reserves. Following his discharge, he left to study in the United States but returned in October 1973 to serve in the Yom Kippur War.[9][30] He took part in special forces raids along the Suez Canal against Egyptian forces before leading a commando attack deep inside Syrian territory, the details of which remain classified today.[31]
Nicky starts her 21k at Tygervalley with the Wietszke Group.
Mountain Reedpipe. Upper Guinea Fowl trail from Sunridge Park. Not a Gladiolus
Building bridges from Logs
Peter and Robin taking it easy
Peter moving the bridge
Robin and Flo. Sharing a story
Robin uses the fulcrum
Orange Watsonia. 
Completed 21k in 2.10. Well done Nix and friend. A reasonably hilly route.
Sunday 18th. Van Stadens hiking trails in the nature reserve. A small group of 8 on the trail today allowed us to take on the Boulder Trail. Gillian was not feeling well but recovered remarkably after a bit of attention from Leonie. A great walk in cool conditions.
Monday 19th. Start the day with an 8km run with Bob and Kenny.
Meet up with Robin and Flo to check out and to improve the Upper Guinea Fowl Trail which we will be doing on Wednesday this week.
On the Upper Guinea Fowl Trail. A couple of river crossings went well..
Cindy Nilsen. Daughter of Cornelius. Neice of Theo and Janet.
Grasshopper --
Koppie Foam GrasshopperGrasshopper
Koppie Foam GrasshopperHebe on the trail. Did well today. No problem with walking in the water to cross the streams
Philpa -- first time with this group
Pincushion
Wartstem PincushionPincushions
Wartstem PincushionOne of the crossings that Robin, Flo and I repaired on Monday this week.
Sally Moolman.
Tea break.
Wednesday 21st. Meet Bob and Kenny for a 7km run. Upper Guinea Flowl Trail. With Flo and Maria; Dennis; Dave & Heather; Dave & Naomi; David; Ian; Alwyn; Iva; Fiona; Pat;; Sally; Philipa; Debbie' Hebe; Annamarie; Paul & Rose; Eugene; Jacqui & Brian; Cornelius & Cindy; Janean; Bev; Cecilia; Jim. 30 I think. After the walk a few stay to enjoy a drink. I go to the Sunridge Park shopping center where I meet up with Bob; Graham and Percy. They are at the Wimpy. After a short chat we all go to Bruce's house for tea and some more chatting. Then some shopping and finally home.
Orchid. Red Satyre.
Chafflowers
Dune Felica.
Marie and Benny on the Fynbos trail.
Fynbos trail at Schoenmakerskop
Chris is with two pals and picked up in a Rolls Royce to go to the Waterfront for a dinner.
Nicky and pals go for a run.
Thursday 22nd. Christian's 18th Birthday. Hiking with the Thursday group. A small group does the Long Walk: Karen; Benny; Marie; Elsabe; Andy and Yvonne. We walk from Sappershoek on the Fynbos trail to the electric pylons and back on the same route. After the walk many of the group stay for a braai. I leave for a visit with Derrick and Lynn Jolliffe.
Friday 23rd. Running 7km with Bob and Kenny.
Snowden Ave. Mill Park Conservancy --- Details.
Glynne and Ronnie took me for a tour of the Mill Park Conservancy
PE Rocks . Found many of these on the trail
Some of the rocks have been delicately painted
These 5 rocks will now be transferred to TsiTsikamma at Storms River mouth hiking trails.
Mill Park bowling club. Rejuvenation of Mill Park getting to know you function. I walk so that I can have a beer.
Mill Park Conservancy walk.
I plant the three rocks from the Mill park conservancy on the Otter Trail.
Rock number two being placed.
Cheryl on the bridge
Cheryl struggling on a tough section.
Gillian coping well.
Group pic on a bridge.
Hike buddies. Selan; Gillian; Cheryl.
Lunch break at the waterfall.
Hiking the rocks
On the Walk the Plank
Robert and son Daniel.
Leonie on a rocky climb.
Leonie and Janice on the bridge
Boulder climbing is not at all easy.
Hike buddies on the bridge
climbing the steps .. Janice
Leonie
Gillian
Selan
Max
Robert
Daniel.
Cheryl
Suspension bridge Details
New two bridges detail
Robert and Max swim to the waterfall.
Robert with boys Daniel and Max.
Waterfall trail. Two imporant things -- a liter of water per hiker; allow for 3.5 to 4 hours.
Saturday 24th. I have a group of 8 for the Waterfall / Suspension bridges combo hiking trail at Storms river mouth. We leave PE at 7am. Stop for coffee at the Windfarm garages shops. Then on to the Storms River / Tsitsikamma nature reserve. We park near to the old start of the Otter Trail; now called the Waterfall hike. It is slightly overcast with no wind so quite humid. The trail is not an easy one with lots of hills; steps and boulders. It takes us about 1.5 hours to get to the Waterfall where we stop for a half hour break, snack and swim. The return takes us a further 1.5 hours. Altogether this hike is 3.5 to four hours. I drink over a liter of water on the hike and it is not a particularly hot day. We drive to the river mouth where we walk to the suspension bridges. Finally we leave the reserve at 3pm, Stop at the bridge for a coffee and snack before heading home. We arrive back home at about 5.30pm.
Hiking the Berg River trails near to Loerie.
Signs leading to the trails
Today we did the Red Oppi Koppi; Then the Silver Nguni Trail and lastly the Blue trail to the Waterfall
An old mine on the trail .
The Mine
We start with long up hills
Be careful to always be on the lookout for the Red Blocks on the trail. If you go bundu bashing then you have missed the trail.
Vanessa; Elizabeth Anne and Janice
Leonie followed by Rachel and Kristin Giddy
Kristin.
Sally followed by Jaco
Jaco and Shona -- Leonies sister
Shona
Faye.
Shannon.
Lambstail.
Hiking in the mist
Look out for the Red Blocks. Turn off easily missed
PE Rocks
At this time the mist was like rain
Witbos.
Witbos. Maerua Cafra. Light coloured trunk. Roots - Chickory. Hosts the larvae of the White Brown-veined butterfly
Bietou Bush
Bietou Bush
Shannon takes a break
Madison; Kirsten and Darren
Geranium. Pelargonium. Sticky Storksbill.
Geranium
Ink Flowers
Ground flowers
Tok Tok Beetle
Tok Tok
False Pea
Falsepea
Red Blocks show the way
Regrouping
Silver Nguni Trail.
Silver Blocks
Leonie and sister Shona
Kirsten. On the Berg River
Rachel and Kristin relaxing
Pools on the river walk
Blue blocks for the Waterfall trail
Madison. 8 years old. Enjoyed the walk.
Rock Climbing on the waterfall trail
Swimming at the Waterfall pool
Relaxing
Watching the swimmers.
Faye and Sally
Giddy Girls.
Looking down on the group
At the waterfall.
Swimming in underpants. I did not think to bring a cossie.
Place to chill in the evening with a glass of wine
Nearly at the end with Brett; Janice; Rachel and Kristin
Gerhard and Elizabeth Anne.
Jaco; Shona and Leonie
Approaching the end of the trails
Vanessa; Robyn and Chris Scarr
Faye; Sally and Shannon.
Sunday25th October 2020. Today is my first attempt at hiking the Berg River Trails. Take the N2 west. Stop at the Windfarm for coffee. Continue to the Hankey turnoff. Turn Right towards Hankey and after 3km look for the Bergrivier sign on your right. Continue for 2km on a dirt road. You need to phone for access through the gate. We are in convoy: My Combi -- Leonie; Faye; Sally and Shannon. Gerhard and Elizabeth Anne; Darren with Kirsten and Madison; Brett; Janice; Kristin and Rachel Giddy; Vanessa; Chris and Robyn Skarr; Shona and Jaco. 18 x guests. We meet Doorie and Japie who are the owners of the Bergrivier Eco farm. They show us the various pathways. We opt for a 3 x combo of Oppi Koppi; Nguni and Waterfall. Oppi Koppi means some long tough uphills. Everyone copes okay. We are lucky with the weather. Overcast and cool.
On the trail we miss the Red Blocks a few times. You need to be aware all the time otherwise you can easily miss a turn off. Our hike is about 3.5 to 4 hours. Not an easy walk and medium fitness is required. A substantial walk -- Everyone is pretty much exhausted at the end.
Monday 26. A day off.
Tuesday 27th. List of To Do. Canasta at 2.30pm.
Wednesday 28th. Runing 7km with Kenny and Bob.
We find this whale. It has been on this beach for about 2 months. It appears that people have taken bones from it. We see a rib a little further on. Also on the beach today -- a dead seal and a dead bird which I think is a tern.
The group spreads out on the way to Bushy Park.
Carey and Flo.
Pat and Debbie
Sardinia Bay to Bushy park 9km hike. Pat and Janny come with me. I met Carey Anderson at the function on Friday and she came with her three boys: Matthew and Oliver are twins in Gr 10 at Grey and their brother is Kyle. Flo and Dennis are hike leaders. also on the hike: Fiona; Philippa; Val; Iva; Leslie; Cecilia; Mo and Errol; Ian; Jim; David; Matie; Jurgen; Eugene; Dave (not sure if Naomi was there); Dave and Heather who is there with her daughter Karen and two children; Kaylin and Kegan; I learn that Peter Taylor who is the Barefoot runner supporting Guide Dogs is Heather's brother; Debbie; Maria; Sheena; Margaret; Bert is new (Italian working for the Catholic Church): Luzaan and Mariaan (first time) & Alida (Normallly comes with AnnaMarie) I think 37 people in total. The Group stretches out and then splits up at the turn around. Some stop a little earlier. I and others continue to the rock pools where Flo has set as the turning point. I, and the younger children, have a swim. A warm sunny day. A cool westerly is refreshing as we walk out. The Dune Climb at the end is always a toughie. Janny comments: "the walk back is always quicker" She is right. I dont know why but I had the same feeling.
Braai time at home.
Italian Sausage.
Thursday 29th. Iced tea Card Game after supper. Braai in the evening. Ally buys some Italian Sausage from the Sausage Company in Stanley street. At the same time her car refuses to start and I have to tow her home.
Barbara finds this minute Yellow Crab Spider in the garden.
Janny and Sheila at the Harbour Wall.
Friday 30th. Bob and I run an 8km around Grey and Linkside.
I meet Janny for a walk to the Harbour wall. Probably about 5k the route we take. We stop for coffee at Angelos. This afternoon I meet Peter Joseph at his new house in Summerstrand. Alan and Heather join us. ;
Rob Witte: assisting the river crossing.
We do the Lower Blindekloof.
Peter and Hebe
Swimming in the pool at the break.
Relaxing at the top of the first hill with Cheryl; Jacqui and Lindy
Janny and Sheila.
Descent into the Kwazunka valley
Hikers in the forest
Rob leads the way.
Our group of 18 walkers.
Lots and lots of river crossings. Most of us did not try to keep our shoes dry.
Saturday 31st October 2020
Groendal Hiking trail. 17 x walkers: With Adel V d Venter; Chante; Christine; Cheryl; Faye; Gay; Hebe; Jacqui; Janny; John and Ren; Liesl; Lindy; Lucille; Noeksie; Rob Witte who is our hike leader for today and Sheila.
Groendal Lower Blindekloof hiking trail. R66pp
The hike starts with a longish climb which could be tough in heat. Fortunately for us it was overcast. At the top of the hill is a tree shading a bench. After a short break we descend to the forest and the Kwazunga valley. From here the trail is tough not because of an uphill but as the pathway is difficult with rocks and continuous river crossings. We walk to the pool where we take a break and a few of us swim. The walk back up is pretty much the same as the walk down. Again a long tough uphill to the tree and the bench. Then down to the gate and the cars. The whole walk took us nearly 6 hours from leaving home to arriving back. The walk itsself is about 4 hours at a slow picture taking pace.
ABOUT STINKHOUTKLOOF HIKE
Start: Bloukrans Forest Station, Tsitsikamma forest, between Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp
Finish: Bloukrans Forest Station, Tsitsikamma forest
Duration: 8 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: no need to book this trail, and permits are the self-issue variety from a box at the trail's entrance
This is ideal for those who want to walk in the vicinity of the Otter Trail but have neither the time, nor the fitness, to complete the rather tough and popular hike.
Stinkhoutkloof hike is one of the most beautiful hikes of the area and worth taking your time over, as the forests are filled with surprises, and wonderfully cool during summer.
To reach Bloukrans Forest Station take the Natures Valley / Coldstream exit from the N2 toll road.
Initially the path trails through pine plantation before making into indigenous forest in the upper parts of the Stinkhoutkloof. The path is not difficult as much of it follows a forestry road. Why this trail is one of the most beautiful of the route is the incredible examples of tall tree ferns and fungi in the indigenous forests.
En route there are several stream crossings. Roughly 5 km into the hike is a natural swimming hole that serves as a good spot for lunch (alternatively wait until after the hike as there is a picnic site at the forest station).
The hike continues through forest and reaches the old main road, which it follows back to Bloukrans Forest Station in a circle.
Don't forget your swimming costume, good walking shoes and insect repellent (mosquitoes can get a bit much if it is humid in the forests).
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