Tuesday 20 March 2018

Sandy Bay and Oudeschip

Mike Lundy wrote in 1997 (Cape Times) "Crossing Sandy Bay on a hot day over a weekend, dressed in mountain boots and backpack, you might feel the need to stare blankly at the sand one metre directly ahead of you as you walk. This way, you’ll avoid feeling awkward about being overdressed.

We didn't do the walk on a weekend, although today was perfect beach weather and roughly a dozen nudists were out and about, so to speak. We did feel inclined to ditch the mountain boots and backpacks as the sea was that incredible turquoise that only the Peninsula's Atlantic Ocean takes on after a good southeaster, and looked so enticing. But we knew it would be icy cold and decided to settle for a beer later. We (I speak for myself) only gave the fellow beach strollers a passing glance out of interest and to confirm various urban legends, and otherwise maintained an air of nonchalance at our overdressed-ness!

The hike from the Sandy Bay carpark to Oudeschip covers 6.5km return and involves a bit of rock scrambling and a very steep climb if you feel so inclined. We hugged the rocky shore, clambering over shapely granite boulders that characterise this coastline and offer shelter from wind and sun, and excellent sunbathing if you have a thick towel to soften the knobbles! Weathering scoops out fascinating shapes and we passed one that had been transformed into a habitable cave, unfortunately with the accompanying human habit of disgusting litter which detracted from the picturesque scenery.
A cooling breeze from the southwest held off the heat of the day for a while, and years of fire damage meant that there were no shady trees along the way, but also a clear view for miles around, something we all have to be very aware of these days. It was a great walk, with stunning views and the freshest air on the planet. You should do it.








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