The spring fynbos was out in force as we toiled up the jeep track, with masses of bright pink ericas and golden leucadendrons carpeting the slopes on either side of us, and it promises to get better with each successive walk over the next few months. The clouds that so often drape the peaks bring life-giving moisture even when it doesn't actually rain, and the presence of numerous streams and a full dam are evidence that the winter rains made a difference.
We left the relative shelter of the leeside as we crested the ridge and made our way left to the Noordhoek lookout - a spot on the edge of the sheer cliffs that surround this verdant valley that affords a stunning panorama of the coastline from Chapmans Peak down to the Cape Point Reserve and a bird's eye view of the continuing expansion of all the housing and industrial developments across the wetlands. We can be thankful that we still have the mountains to walk in without encroachment of 'civilisation'.
We continued up the jeep track for another 45 minutes or so - the hike is around 9km in total and we climb about 350m so not for slouches. Here the wind was even cooler, and the clouds came and went, casting shadows that dissolved as the morning sun rose higher - a black eagle treated us to a view of it hovering overhead, one of the few still living on the Table Mountain chain, and we hoped it had a successful hunt, perhaps to feed a young one.
The views across Hout Bay make this one of the most worthwhile hikes in the area, and many have been inspired to begin hiking simply from seeing a photo from Noordhoek Peak and feeling the need to experience it for themselves. After taking countless photos, we retreated to the shelter of the rocks facing inland and spent a pleasant half hour in the sunshine before heading back - all downhill from there!
(When I got home I suddenly took ill and have been poorly since, so that is why I was cold! Not getting old.)
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