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 2020I meet the Flower Tour 1 group for breakfast at the Rose Garden in Floradale Nursery.
Janny and SallyGay; 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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
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?
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 (/ˌnɛtɑːnˈjɑːhuː/;[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]
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.
Cindy Nilsen. Daughter of Cornelius. Neice of Theo and Janet.
Grasshopper -- Koppie Foam Grasshopper
Grasshopper Koppie Foam Grasshopper
Hebe 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 Pincushion
Pincushions Wartstem Pincushion
One of the crossings that Robin, Flo and I repaired on Monday this week.
Sally Moolman.
Tea break.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
The group spreads out on the way to Bushy Park.
Carey and Flo.
Pat and Debbie
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.
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.
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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