Sweltering at Silvermine

How easily we forget the sweltering heat of February when offered the prospect of a fresh breeze blowing up the Fish Hoek valley by the weatherman. Invariably we find ourselves hiking in a sheltered ravine rather than the wind-blasted slopes of a bare mountain, and yesterday was no exception. Not a leaf stirred up at Silvermine as we started off on an easy trail along the river that is fed by the dam further up.  One of the reasons for choosing this particular walk was the shade offered for much of the way by tall but lightly leaved trees and if it weren't for this, the sweltering would have been more intense.
The wind that blew everywhere but there was slightly off the southeast direction and so the clouds that normally drape the mountains were absent and a sky of cerulean blue provided a perfect backdrop for a pair of jackal buzzards soaring overhead, showing us that wings were what we needed! A familiar chat perched on a rock in the far distance, and sunbirds twittered deliriously out of view, but the heat kept other birdlife invisible. A few striking ericas were the only fynbos to attract the eye, and I carried my heavy camera for little purpose except that one should always be prepared for the unexpected.
Despite the heat, we inexplicably decided to extend our walk by going around the dam, where people and dogs were swimming in the deep, dark water. The reflections were marvellous and gave the illusion of coolness, and a little breeze helped briefly. Red dragonflies flitted around exquisite waterlilies where the bridge crosses the head of the dam and some time was spent capturing the moment. March lilies have burst into bloom although it is only February, but everything seems out of season at the moment and maybe it is a sign of changing times.
On leaving the dam, we realised that our cars were more than an hour's walk away, but it was all downhill from there and a great morning out overall. Beer was foremost on the menu at lunch!