There are some 53 different trails in the mountains up at Silvermine and they are well used, as we passed many groups and individuals, often with dogs - wet from the river - and although it is regarded as a hotspot area for muggings, I can't say the hikers seem to be put off.
Every walk is different due to the weather and I know my least favourite weather is sunny and windless. A stiff breeze to dry the sweat from one's brow and a dark cloud to prevent sunburn must be the most welcome of occurrences! Comfort has a great deal to do with body temperature, and I mine must be higher than average. My mother had a low body temperature that didn't register on a thermometer, and so she was always seeking the sun, rather like a lizard that likes to lounge! We always laughed about that.
A hazard of the strong southeaster is that the smallest fire soon rages out of control, and across the Cape Flats near the mountains, a fire was filling the sky with plumes of smoke, soon followed by another near Table Mountain, and by early afternoon the entire area where we had walked was swathed in orange light from the thick smoke. Another fire started on Red Hill near Simon's Town, and much of the veld has been burned, with loss of property in all areas affected and great cost to the always stretched and absolutely heroic members of our voluntary firefighting services. Their work will continue today as all access to Red Hill, Scarborough and the road to Cape Point are closed to traffic. The photo of the liparia above is sadly a prophetic depiction of the flames of destruction.
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