Tuesday, 5 March 2019
On the road
On our way south to De Kelders we drove through Franschhoek Pass which had been closed the previous week by a bush fire which had burned out of control for 5 or 6 days before they managed to contain it. We saw the evidence of the fire for about 15km as we drove up and over the pass - about 6000 hectares was burned in the fire but thankfully no homes or people were affected.
Therafter we headed across country towards Caledon with its huge grain fields - all harvested now and a dusty brown colour - to Stanford for a quick lunch before we checked into our apartment in De Kelders.
We'd planned on a hike along the beach at Walker Bay but the whole bay was affected by a Red Tide algal bloom which made it a less attractive idea. We hiked along the cliffs above the bay instead and noted the absence of almost any seabirds along the coast.
Christoff showed up bright and early on Thursday morning and we headed back through Stanford to the Phillipskop reserve. It was a bright but cooler morning so perfect weather for our hike around the mountain. It makes such a difference to be in the company of a professional guide who knows the plant, animal and birdlife of an area.
A very pleasant 5 hour hike and a stop at the bakery in Stanford for coffee and baked cheesecake on the way home. Have to admit that the rest of the afternoon was devoted to relaxing - although we did manage a walk along the cliff top path before it was time to prepare for dinner at Benguela.
Therafter we headed across country towards Caledon with its huge grain fields - all harvested now and a dusty brown colour - to Stanford for a quick lunch before we checked into our apartment in De Kelders.
We'd planned on a hike along the beach at Walker Bay but the whole bay was affected by a Red Tide algal bloom which made it a less attractive idea. We hiked along the cliffs above the bay instead and noted the absence of almost any seabirds along the coast.
Christoff showed up bright and early on Thursday morning and we headed back through Stanford to the Phillipskop reserve. It was a bright but cooler morning so perfect weather for our hike around the mountain. It makes such a difference to be in the company of a professional guide who knows the plant, animal and birdlife of an area.
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| Everlasting |
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| Erica |
A very pleasant 5 hour hike and a stop at the bakery in Stanford for coffee and baked cheesecake on the way home. Have to admit that the rest of the afternoon was devoted to relaxing - although we did manage a walk along the cliff top path before it was time to prepare for dinner at Benguela.
Three men in a boat
When there is a build up of weed in the lake, the estate employ a team of suitably qualified professionals;
who had obviously carried an appropriate health and safety assessment of the work before they started;
and, thankfully they made it safely to the shore to unload and start all over again
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| Do you think we can take any more? |
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| Sure, it'll be grand! |
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| See, there was definitely room for some more. |
Monday, 25 February 2019
Wildlife
Our red-knobbed coots hatched 4 chicks over a week ago and have been busy leading them on expeditions from the nest - travelling further each time.
In addition to the Sacred Ibis, Reed Cormorants, White-throated Cormorants, Little grebes, and Little Egrets which live on or around the lake, we have also spotted Purple Herons and an Anhinga. There are a couple of birds of prey - perhaps Jackal Buzzards - which circle the lake on a daily basis but I haven't had a good look at them yet.
We have booked a hike down at Phillipskop - near Stanford - with our friendly guide Christoff next week and I'm hoping that a few hours with him will improve my bird recognition.
Sunday, 24 February 2019
Sunday cycling again
There was a Sportive race today - 102km at Durbanville - but no one was really interested in it so Cam and I decided to do a long ride of our own.
We met at 6.30 on a cool misty morning and headed out over Helshoogte Pass on a 120km loop ride via Stellenbosch and Klapmuts which brought us back over Helshoogte after about 80km and a stop for refreshments at Tokara when we reached the top
While Cam was faster than me on the downhill - he clocked 77km on the downhill run into Stellenbosch before he had to slow down for the speed cameras - and probably could have left me standing on the straight, I put that down to the fact that he is 50 years younger than me. However I was pleased to see that I could ride away from him on the climbs - particularly on the 7km return climb up Helshoogte.
Now that I know I can ride the distance, I promise I won't mention any more cycling until the race itself - which is now only two weeks away.
Meanwhile I have retired again to my cool shady place to await the Italy/Ireland game and rehydrating with a very pleasant Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc - part of last week's raffle prize
We met at 6.30 on a cool misty morning and headed out over Helshoogte Pass on a 120km loop ride via Stellenbosch and Klapmuts which brought us back over Helshoogte after about 80km and a stop for refreshments at Tokara when we reached the top
While Cam was faster than me on the downhill - he clocked 77km on the downhill run into Stellenbosch before he had to slow down for the speed cameras - and probably could have left me standing on the straight, I put that down to the fact that he is 50 years younger than me. However I was pleased to see that I could ride away from him on the climbs - particularly on the 7km return climb up Helshoogte.
Now that I know I can ride the distance, I promise I won't mention any more cycling until the race itself - which is now only two weeks away.
Meanwhile I have retired again to my cool shady place to await the Italy/Ireland game and rehydrating with a very pleasant Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc - part of last week's raffle prize
A Slow Saturday
We didn't make it home from Ally & Sue's Braai until after midnight - not sure I could manage too many 7 hour drinking sessions with those girls - must be out of practice.
Despite that we all met at the Yard for brunch on Saturday morning, but thereafter I managed to retire to a cool shady space with the Telegraph crossword and the Six nations on Supersports.
The France/Scotland match was disappointing - Scotland made too many mistakes and it looks as if France have some new talented players - could be interesting to see how they shape up over the next year or so. I wonder if the match set a record for the number of disallowed tries - it could have been an embarrassing scoreline for Scotland if the French hadn't made so many errors themselves.
However the Wales/England match was much more interesting with some bruising rugby - I know that Jimmy C and Bernie will both be disappointed with the result but I think it was a fair result and makes the last game of the competition a potential grandslam decider.
Up to the club for dinner - Sushi night in the restaurant - and a sizeable crowd of Welsh supporters - not an England shirt in sight. A bit loud but very good natured - and the sushi was excellent as was the Vrede and Lust Riesling.
Despite that we all met at the Yard for brunch on Saturday morning, but thereafter I managed to retire to a cool shady space with the Telegraph crossword and the Six nations on Supersports.
The France/Scotland match was disappointing - Scotland made too many mistakes and it looks as if France have some new talented players - could be interesting to see how they shape up over the next year or so. I wonder if the match set a record for the number of disallowed tries - it could have been an embarrassing scoreline for Scotland if the French hadn't made so many errors themselves.
However the Wales/England match was much more interesting with some bruising rugby - I know that Jimmy C and Bernie will both be disappointed with the result but I think it was a fair result and makes the last game of the competition a potential grandslam decider.
Up to the club for dinner - Sushi night in the restaurant - and a sizeable crowd of Welsh supporters - not an England shirt in sight. A bit loud but very good natured - and the sushi was excellent as was the Vrede and Lust Riesling.
Friday, 22 February 2019
Wine-tasting
Despite the bush fire which is currently burning out of control on the Franschhoek Pass, we managed to keep to our plan on Thursday afternoon - more or less.
We had a very pleasant afternoon and even remembered to get some photographic evidence
We had a very pleasant afternoon and even remembered to get some photographic evidence
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