Sandy Bay to Oudeschip

An overcast and fairly humid day dawned, with a forecast of temperatures in the 20s for Cape Town, and we hoped that our walk from Sunset Rocks at Llandudno to the promontory at Oudeschip would be cool, and to start off it was. This walk can be a killer in the heat of summer, with no shade and a relentless reflection off the water, but today I would say was pretty much perfect. The huge seas of the last week had subsided and a glossy sea spread out before us, grey in the reflection of the clouds.
We were early enough to reach Sandy Bay before the arrival of any nudists, but it would be a different story on the way back - some interesting sights for both parties, I'm sure. I think we are all old enough to take absolutely no offence and in fact enjoy some lively conversation.
Although not bursting with colour, the steep slope of the mountainside had some lovely spring flowers to admire along the way, with the occasional Cape Robin-chat, Malachite Sunbird and Karoo Prinia perfectly perched, and seabirds aplenty down on the rocks. Strings of cormorants sped southwards far out to sea, and on the shore we spotted a pair of African Black Oystercatchers mating. These attractive birds mate for life, and I often wonder what happens if one of them dies. Do they pine away or just look for another mate?
Our refreshment break on the promontory afforded us a good view of the biggest shipwreck currently on the Cape coast - the remains of the floating barge Bos 400, wedged ashore in a winter storm of 1994. Not having its own engine, when the tow rope broke there was nothing to prevent the wreck, and it has joined the Maori in making this bay a dive destination.
The path is not too arduous for the fit, but is not really recommended for those who are unsteady as it is very easy to turn an ankle on the many loose rocks, and it is a bit up and down in places. That said, for the firm of foot it is a most delightful walk, providing wonderful views up and down the coast as far as Langebaan on a very clear day, with a good cardio workout if you keep up the pace. And best done on a cool day. We felt the heat a bit on the way back, but it was worth it.

Our destination is the far promontory

Sandy Bay to Saldanha, almost

Ferraria crispa

Gladiolus with heady scent

Brian's seaside cottage