– Vasco da Gama Peak to Cape of Good Hope – more of a semi-circle!
Tuesday on a Thursday – somewhat like Xmas in July.
This route was postponed from its scheduled Tuesday due to that southeast gale that raged through the Peninsula. This day was meant to be a 20km per hour, cool south-westerly.
The 11 members of this group all met timeously at 8:00 to drive in convoy to Rooihoogte, the start of the route. But first the cars had to be driven to Cape of Good Hope to await our return. This takes time, due to the 40kph speed limit in that area. While the passengers waited at the start we caught up with news and enjoyed the view of Judas Peak, Paulsberg, Die Boer and the whole of False Bay.
It was indeed a cool wind blowing on our backs as we ascended 200m to the top of Da Gama Peak, where we enjoyed our ‘tea’ amongst the World War ll buildings. Some interesting tidbits: As radar reached widespread usage in the 1940s, purpose-built radar stations replaced the out-dated observational points, the most visited and accessible of which is situated on Da Gama Peak. It was developed and manned by the South African Defence Force Special Signal Services (SSS), but today simply serves as a spectacular lookout point.
After tea we continued our traverse of the Peak by following the ridge line, where we would have appreciated that cool breeze – it was getting rather warm on the path sheltered between high shrubs – before descending to the restaurant. After a comfort break we continued along the boardwalk towards Cape of Good Hope. Above Diaz Beach there is a flight of wooden steps – the members counted more than 100! – to access the beach where we had an early lunch in the coolth of the rock walls. Two brave souls wet their feet in the icy water.
Then back up the soft, sandy slope and those 100-plus steps. From there over a small hill to descend at Cape of Good Hope where our cars awaited, saving a dreary walk back to the start along the tar road past tourist vehicles. Sadly we only saw ostrich at a few spots, no eland or bontebok that day.
The whole route took about 4.5 hours at a very leisurely pace.
Photos – Sarah Staal, Jenny McNulty, Suzanne Smith
