Hiking at Harold Porter

Yesterday we took a hike in the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in Betty's Bay, which was devastated by fire from a flare irresponsibly set off on New Year's Eve. The damage to the gardens was limited to the upper section where nothing remains but blackened trunks of an important natural forest and fynbos. Having not been there since 1968, I can't give a personal assessment, but can only imagine what it once looked like.
We took the Leopard trail up towards the waterfall, an easy walk in the kloof with spectacular rocky cliffs revealing the forces that shaped this land millions of years ago. The river is running strongly after recent rains and for us water-deprived Capetonians, it was a joy to hear and see the pristine mountain water tumbling over the rock-strewn valley. A very strong northerly wind was blasting as it funnelled down the kloof and we had to lean into it, taking care not to be blown off the narrow and rather dangerous trail with a steep drop. The protective barriers were all burned in the fire and have yet to be replaced.
We eventually came to a river crossing where we agreed it would not be worth risking a slip and returned to take the Fynbos Trail up to another waterfall. Quite a few trees had survived here but there was little to see in the way of flowers or birds. A troop of baboons against the skyline was a welcome sign of life returning to the wasteland.
We were unable to reach the waterfall as the walkways were destroyed and one can only hope it won't  be too long before they are rebuilt. The fynbos will return in all its splendour over the next few years, as much of it requires fire for regeneration,  but perhaps a little less devastation next time?
Despite the fierce wind and lack of vegetation, a pleasant walk overall in a usually beautiful area.