A little off the beaten track

Today we did the Historic Trail in Newlands Forest - historic because we have never done it before! (Thanks, Paul.) With the aid of a booklet detailing the walk and accompanying photos, we made our way from the carpark to the left and branched off at a narrow trail that took us up familiar territory for some way - gnarled roots of the ancient pines snaked and twisted underfoot, worn to a fine patina by decades of hikers passing this way and almost creating a wooding carpet - then past a bench mentioned in the guide book. It was once we had reached the 'historic' part of the path where the remains of the old filtration plant lie sadly neglected and forgotten in the middle of a healthy stream tumbling through the channels that the instructions became a little vague. To be fair, it did indicate we would leave the path and climb upwards through a rocky area until we reached the Fernkloof trail, but the extent of the bushwhacking was not quite what we had bargained for. It was with relief that a hiker was spotted ambling casually past through a gap in the trees, and we soon came upon the laid-out trail.
This was extremely pleasant to walk along, with no particular ups and downs, leafy canopy sheltering us from the sun, soft rain earlier in the morning allowing the forest floor to give up its earthy scents...
Many people with dogs passed us, all coming from the other direction, and it seemed like a good day on the mountain. We stopped for tea in the beautiful and never seen before (by me and others) Ascension Ravine, with abundant crystal waters in a little dam and birdlife singing in the boughs of wild almonds, oaks, indigenous forest and even a fig tree, doubtless seeded by a bird many years ago. I think it is the prettiest ravine I have been to yet.
Our intention was to go further up to the Upper Contour and do a loop back to the cars, but somehow, somewhere, the path forked the wrong way and despite much map consulting (to be fair, even Google Maps was struggling), we found ourselves above Kirstenbosch, with the prospect of a long walk back! Much muttering occurred, but it must be said that at no time was there any need for concern at being lost (in fact, it was more a case of not knowing where we were), and the trail that we followed was voted as one of the best walks we have ever been on! There was plenty of opportunity for hilarious banter and we only covered 5kms in the end anyway - hardly an epic hike!
Walking behind the houses along Rhodes Drive gave us a clear view of the mountains, which are usually partly obscured when in the forest, and this only added to the pleasure of the morning. So many treasures to be found and seen out there.