It won’t be a Cape Peninsula hike if the weather doesn’t feature in the meet report. Good or bad, it just won’t be ignored. This report is no different.
As reliably predicted for days beforehand, there was a strong northwester. And it was not budging. Admittedly, it was a NW with a sense of occasion: blowing mostly from behind, not blowing anybody over the cliff, even letting up a bit to give us a chance to have our tea and lunch breaks, not to mention a quick swim. Pretty decent, as strong NWs go.
We took full advantage. 11 of us enjoyed this marvellous, multifaceted route. It’s a good thing I don’t have to describe it; I can just refer you to the pictures.
From the viewpoint about a kilometre inside Cape Point Gate, we followed the undulating footpath as it made its way over Judas Peak, along Die Boer, around Paulsberg to the old cannon, and down the valley towards the old lime kiln. Views for Africa.
The detour to Venus Pool proved to be a winner. Thanks to the weather, we had the place to ourselves, despite the school holidays. The coastal path afterwards – to Buffels Bay via Bordjiesrif – felt like a meandering meditation.
We reached the cars at Buffels Bay after about five and a half hours.
If you joined us, you could have picked up snippets of conversation on the following topics:
- How living in confined spaces (such as working on a boat for many years) can break one’s ability to live in (even relatively) close proximity to other people.
- The books and talks of Dan Sleigh.
- Starfish. There were some spectacular ones at Venus Pool.
- The feelings and associated therapy costs of a bird overhearing itself being described as “just a crow”.
Picture credits: Mariëtte Flint, Pat Rebelo, Christo Steyn.
