A climb equivalent to 250m and a distance of 6.5 km was easily achieved today, despite times of intense heat. The walk from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch along the jeep track is a favourite. After the first steep stretch it is a comfortable, albeit rocky track along the contour of the mountain, with ample opportunity to walk in groups to chat, and admire the view, without being too concerned about tripping over something. A strong upper air northwester sent a tumbling tablecloth scurrying over the peaks, and we were hoping it was the forerunner of a predicted shower tonight, but that seems to have slipped away. The breeze passed overhead and we had to rely on the towering gum trees of the plantation to shade us. These magnificent trees reach up to the sky in a seemingly endless stretch of trunk, culminating in a sparse but beautifully branched canopy. The bark is smooth and pale and begs to be stroked. (I love to touch the different leaves and trees!)
We climbed up to Nursery Ravine (an unexpected extra on what I thought was a fairly flat walk) and really got some good exercise on the way up. There was no water at all, although that is expected at this time of year, and our rest among the jumbled rocks and indigenous trees with tangled creepers was a delight, always making the effort to get there so worthwhile.
The descent into Kirstenbosch was fairly steep, particularly once we were in the upper reaches of the gardens, and it was tough on the calves to be on such an extended downhill. But what a beautiful place to be on a Tuesday!
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