Walking in sunshine

Yesterday's walk was all about sunshine after rain! Having been rained out on the last two hikes, I felt as unfit as before I joined this group two years ago, and it was a relief to be out on a relatively gentle stroll across the hills between Da Gama Park and the Red Hill road. Overnight showers had left raindrops clinging to every available surface and the fynbos was draped in diamonds as the early morning sunshine caught each drop.
Two years ago, this area was burnt bare by fire and only blackened skeletons of proteas and restio stumps remained. Today it was barely possible to discern the old jeep track as we made our way through head-high restios providing a rather wet guard of honour and unfortunately a dense thicket of rapidly growing Port Jackson, which needs to be removed before it completely smothers all the indigenous vegetation. Once we passed that, we were again in a fynbos paradise stretching across the plateau, with some very early appearances of a few spring specials to be seen along the way.
The good rains in recent times have soaked into the mountains and growth has been vigorous, with barely a patch of bare ground remaining. The warm sunshine and light breeze encouraged the sunbirds to twitter joyously from their treetop perches and among the bright orange chasmanthes, and a familiar chat treated us to a song and a flash of fine feathers before disappearing over a rocky outcrop. A rock kestrel swooped in and perched for a photo shoot before leaving in search of a meal, glaring down as if to say: Get on with it, I have things to do!
False Bay was like a pond, but a slight mist prevented us from seeing clearly across the bay, and if there were any whales, they were keeping a low profile, but it was perfect day for being outdoors if only for the fresh air.
I did feel a bit of strain on this easy walk, and put it down to not having hiked for 10 days. Obviously this cannot be allowed and I will have to slot in some extras to make up for rainy days! Anyone want to come?