River Trail with a river!

The River Trail at Silvermine Nature Reserve is a favourite for hot summer days, as there is considerable shade along the way, but yesterday we chose it as a way to shelter from the fresh southeaster that heralded Meteorological Spring. The wind was fierce and chilly, reminding us of what we can look forward to as northerly winter winds swing back to the south, but we soon were in the lee of the ridge and making our way along the usually gently tinkling stream of the Silvermine River. Now it is quite a torrent, rushing by on its way to the sea as not seen in many a year. Pools that normally stagnate have been scoured clean of last year's debris and piles of cappuccino foam gather among the fallen branches on the banks. The temperature didn't daunt the dogs, who leapt joyfully into the water to wallow awhile.
The trail is overgrown with bracken and very little in the way of fynbos peeks out, so photo opportunities were few. Birds hid in the undergrowth rather than sway in the treetops, and only the call of the prinia and southern double-collared sunbird were heard. A friendly southern boubou waited on a branch where we stopped for coffee, waiting for us to leave a tasty morsel, and a pair of white-necked ravens soared overhead in search of anything that suited their varied diet - from tortoises to roadkill, fruit to grain.
The dam is as close to full as dammit as the overflow feeds the river, and the trickling waterfall along the trail is in full spate - a lovely sight worth walking up to. The path is showing signs of erosion and there are many loose stones to turn an ankle on, so boots are best. A lovely walk for those who don't enjoy much uphill.