Notwithstanding some torrential rains experienced in other parts of Cape Town, on the 14th of September the intrepid 7 of us embarked on this maiden meet and route, leaving most cars at Sandy Bay Nek parking, only to be met by a closed gate at the starting point of Mt Rhodes entrance. After a short delay and in increasingly falling rain, we commenced on the hike, which saw us summiting Klein Leeukoppie, or Het Zuyker-Broodt, as it was known by the Dutch settlers, to be rewarded for our perseverance with wonderful views from the peak in almost wind still conditions.
With the timing of the tide at Oude Schip firmly in the front of our minds, we descended towards Llandudno , keeping to the firebreak and winding our way down towards the coastal path, from where we made it to Sandy Bay Beach for a well deserved tea break. Onwards along the trail towards Oude Schip, with the weather treating is kindly, we reached the little peninsula where some of the more adventurous of us risked the crossing, with the tide threatening to pull in.
After rousing a colony of cormorants and seagulls we got to witness a spectacular display of the waves crashing against the granite boulders, shooting white spume high into the sky… Not wanting to end up with wet feet, we decided to rejoin our fellow hikers on the safe side and settled down for a lunch, whereafter we “slogged” up towards the top of Rocket road, returning to the cars by 13h00.
A special thanks goes to Penny Brown and Brian Lambourne (who due to an injury was unable to join), who showed great support to assist me with this first official meet as a leader and my fellow hikers who, despite the discouraging weather forecast, joined me on this most enjoyable, just under 10km, experience.
