Torrents in the ravines

Over the weekend, around 60mm of rain fell in the mountains at Kirstenbosch, so what better place to hike today than up to the waterfalls in Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine? Having never been to either, and having always glanced askance at the signposts pointing relentlessly upwards on previous walks, I was amazed to find myself striding unconcernedly up the very well laid out path that led up from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens towards the jeep track and eventual link to the contour path. How one's perspective changes after a year's hiking!
A fine mist soon bedraggled my appearance, but as is often pointed out, we are not there to look glamorous, and the synthetic mist jacket made for uncomfortable perspiration - it is difficult to decide whether to get wet from the inside or the outside. Nevertheless, the strenuous climb ensured enough body heat to make no difference and I eventually draped a small towel over my head to catch the moisture - some dreadfully unphotogenic photos resulted, and I won't inflict them on you! Lucky there are no mirrors up a mountain.
The low cloud meant no views, which would doubtless have been spectacular, but our attention was focused on the torrents of water tumbling down the ravines - perhaps the most we have had in some years and an absolute delight to the eyes and ears.
The walk along the contour path reminded me that it had been hewn from the cliff face and the sheer drop to the side was only camouflaged by thick vegetation - the sculptured lawns and landscaping of Kirstenbosch was very far below! The Nursery Stream was impassable and so we retraced our steps along the contour path and descended to the upper reaches of the gardens, meandering through the proteas, strelitzias and general greenery at a leisurely pace - a gem of a walk, about 6km and 500m elevation - great for the heart and soul!