In search of disa uniflora

The Cape Doctor is throwing everything he's got at Cape Town as he sweeps the smog and pollution from blanketing the fairest Cape in all the circumference of the globe, replacing it with a damp tablecloth of coolness to feed the thirsty fynbos.The lush but rather over-developed valley of Hout Bay receives the benefit of these summer clouds and the upper slopes of the mountains leading up to the Back Table still retain a little of the original indigenous forest to give an idea of what it must have been like here before 'progress' arrived and the wood was used for ships and other building projects. The once pristine streams feeding the Disa River have fallen victim to man's filthy habits and may never recover, but for those who are prepared to venture up the steep path next to Suikerbossie restaurant and make their way along the easy but rocky trail above the pine forest, it is still possible to go back to a place where the water drips steadily down a moss and fern covered rockface, where the beautiful disa uniflora may be found clinging to the upper reaches at this time of year.
Waterfall Ravine was our destination and seeking the disa our intention. The marvellous wind kept us cool as we negotiated the rocky track, with occasional gusts whipping hats from heads, giving us cause to pause and revel in the wonderful cloudscape across the sea towards Kommetjie. In places we had to scramble over granite boulders and a tumble of rocks from a long-forgotten landslide, and in others the soft sandiness put a spring in our steps and a second wind.
The ravine appeared to be dry and we wondered whether there would even be a waterfall, and after a rest on some well-placed rocks, with coffee and (believe it or not) a crayfish tail (mine), a few intrepid souls toiled up the steep bank in search of disas. There is an ancient pipeline and huge rusted valves from the days when this stream supplied water to the settlement, but now it consists only of a new looking aluminium pipeline secured by synthetic ropes (totally out of keeping with the environment) and is the reason for the stream not tumbling naturally to the valley. I have no idea if it ever reaches a destination.
The waterfall was indeed still there, but at absolute minimum - almost a haze of moisture drifting from high above - and the moss and ferns could very well be supporting a large population of disas, but we were probably a week or two too early and unable to identify the plants from leaves or even buds. Binoculars, zoom lenses and a great deal of botanical knowledge are prerequisites!
Undeterred, and still feeling rewarded for the effort of getting there, we returned to the rest of the group to regale them with tall tales of the number and beauty of the disas we saw. Of course, they didn't believe us for a moment.
The return trip is always quicker than the outward bound, and the descent through the pine trees always very peaceful and restoring. The final challenge was going down the steep track which has now been named Poop Alley, for the abundance of excrement left by the dogs exercised by dog walkers without poop scoops. But we made it, and will doubtless return for another attempt to say we actually did see the disas!