“He marched them up to the top of the hill then he marched them down again”.
This month saw the club travel around Walker Bay to visit Hermanus. En route we stopped off at Stanford to pick up some members and some visitors from Durbanville. In total we were 28 walkers.
The hike leader John named this month’s hike the “Zig Zag” hike. Our journey continued through Voelklip and we parked the vehicles in 7th avenue. For those that know the area as you drive along the main road approaching the 7/11 supermarket if you look to your right you can see the hiking trail zig zag up the mountain side.
One of the things that I really enjoy about hiking is that no two routes are the same. Each has its own particular attractions. John had fore warned us that the route “may be a little strenuous”. I’m one who likes to walk and talk, on this route on the way up I can tell you I did very little talking. Oxygen was not available to waste.
As we approached the summit we encountered a troop of baboons. We actually walked right through the middle of the troop. There were large males, females and plenty of babies. The thought struck me that while they were not aggressive neither were they intimidated by humans. You can understand that this relationship could become problematic for the houses in the area.
With a mountain hike I am always exhilarated by the views from the top. I was not disappointed on this occasion either. We had a beautiful clear day and enjoyed the view over Fernkloof/Hermanus and to our left we could see Stanford and the Klein River lagoon and how the river was now flowing out to sea.
The other interesting landmark we could see was the traffic round about at EastCliff. Much has been written about the floral splendour of this round about but what I didn’t realise was that the layout is in the shape of a compass. Very impressive, when viewed from above.
Up and over the saddle we went and then we could see the three dams and right into Fernkloof. The decent was exhilarating, we stopped half way down to relax, enjoy a cool drink and a snack. All too soon we were at the bottom and congratulating each other for having completed the walk. At our age to walk unaided is an achievement, to complete a hike is a bonus.
Our thanks go to John Burgoyne for planning and leading us all safely though this hike.
Our next hike is planned for Saturday 05 October 2013 near Caledon veldblomme-tuin. The leader will be Dirk Bester 0839615461 and cost will be R40. Don’t forget we move to Summer time and will meet at the Tourist Office Gansbaai @ 07h00.
