Stunning day at Gifkommetjie

Today's hike was from Gifkommetjie to Hoek van Bobbejaan - not the windswept, rain-soaked jaunt of two months ago, but a stroll through paradise along the shoreline on a perfect Cape Town day. Light breeze (stiffening later), the odd cloud for a little shade, not a baboon in sight - what more could one want? Okay, stroll is not really the word, as the soft sand under the milkwoods and along the tracks gave the leg muscles a good workout, not to mention a consistent climb up and over the ridge on the way back, but it was definitely worth it, as you can see from the scenic shots.
A freshly shed, very large puffadder skin caused some excitement and many a wary eye was cast over the surrounding veld and under nearby rocks, but nothing revealed itself. A tiny little tortoise scrambled under a bush to get away from the boots of these bothersome hikers, and a small herd of eland decided not to wait for us to get any closer.
On leaving the reserve, we were mightily relieved that we were not in the extensive queue waiting to get in, particularly when a cavalcade of 50 or more motorbikes roared in from Plateau Road and overtook the queue. I wouldn't want to sort out that altercation at the pay point! You would think that the authorities would by now have done something to alleviate the congestion at this #1 tourist destination, but it will probably take a total boycott by the world before more than two pay points are installed, or even a smidgeon of speed and efficiency.
But this did not detract from the magnificence of the scenery or the feeding of the soul - just get there at the crack of dawn!

Gifkommetjie - green is milkwood forest, lovely to walk underneath

Newly shed puffadder skin

Still soft and shiny

Very BIG

 

Looking through the rocks on the ridge down to the beach

The shoreline going down towards Cape Point