Table Mountain's beauties

February is the time when the disa uniflora blooms on Table Mountain and a hike in search of this beautiful flower is a must. This always involves climbing steep ravines, as they only grow in seeps and waterfalls on a cliff face, and never in abundance, so some locations are a jealously guarded secret. We go each year to the Cecilia waterfall above Kirstenbosch, which even in the driest times has a few drips to sustain the ferns and mossy growth, and we are assured of a sighting. There is a crossing over the stream a little lower down where a single disa has been seen for the last few years and we were not disappointed. A bright splash of pink was visible from far away and we clambered eagerly over a rocky patch and up the small rock face to get within a foot of a prime specimen. It is such a relief to see it flower each year without it having been removed by anyone (it does happen).
We started off in overcast conditions but humidity again got to us and it was quite an uncomfortable hike on the really steep bits, of which there were many, but from time to time a breeze would find its way over a rise between the ravines, and the sun didn't beat down on us too mercilessly. Our hikes are characterised by genial banter and frequent outbursts of laughter, and all complaints about the lies told by our leader (it's just around the corner; the hard part is over; it's flat from here on) are met with a cheeky grin and a pass around of a bag of jelly babies to cheer us up. There are times when some want to walk fast and some want to walk slowly, but everyone is catered for and I doubt that anyone ever regrets a hike with this companionable group. Complaining about the wind or the heat or the height of the steps makes hiking what it is - a delightful morning out in some of the world's most beautiful places, far from the madding crowd and yet within sight of far-off suburbia.
The Cecilia waterfall had a fair curtain of water trickling over the upper reaches and anyone wanting a cooling shower only had to stand in the pool below to receive just that. Far above, seven visible disas contrasted brightly against the dense green moss, peeping out between the fronds of the ferns that doubtless hide many more from view. But we saw what we had come to find, and that made all the climbing and perspiration well worth it. I have no doubt we will be back next February to see if there are more, and many times in between just because we can.

Marvellous mushroom carelessly knocked aside, unnoticed

The Big Tree, towering skywards, our very own Faraway Tree

Relentless uphill

Disa uniflora

Even steeper

Cape Siskin