Toiling along the trail

Walking in a light drizzle made a very pleasant change from the intense heat of the summer months, although the temperature was so mild it was unnecessary to wear a rain jacket, and so winter is still some way away. We started at Suikerbossie just above Ruyteplaats estate in Hout Bay, toiled up through the pine forest to the indigenous forest and took the trail to Myburgh Ravine. Mist drifted around us as we tramped between tall proteas and bracken, all dripping with moisture from the occasional drizzle. The view was obscured by vegetation and weather, which was a good thing, as there was little opportunity to take our eyes from the path. Every footstep had to be measured, due to large rocks, roots and other hazards along the way, with quite a bit of scrambling involved. So although the almost 5km route had only minor elevation changes, a badly placed boot could easily have seen us crashing into the undergrowth in a not very elegant way, or even a twisted ankle. The wet rocks and sand stuck underfoot also contributed to a slippery surface, but fortunately it was only the little dog that accompanied us who sustained a foot injury and hopped back on three legs!
We never quite made it to the second ravine due to time constraints and the walking conditions, and although it was a thoroughly enjoyable hike, we were all happy to reach the relative ease of the trail through the pines again after a good four hours.

I think the refreshments were more in the hot chocolate line rather than beer!

Scaling the heights

For 60 years, Chapman's Peak has loomed before me, first from the family home in Clovelly and latterly from my deck in Kommetjie, both having sweeping views of the surrounding areas due to their elevation. However, it was not until yesterday that Chapman's Peak literally loomed before me after a steep climb up from Chapman's Peak Drive earlier.
The southeaster was roaring up the Fish Hoek Valley, sending dragons racing over the peak, and it looked as though we would be in for a cold and damp climb, but miraculously the cloud lifted higher and kept us cool as we trod the pathway up, up and ever upwards. Large flat rocks have been expertly laid for much of the track, with only odd bits being sandy and gravelly, but the steepness of the climb meant that we were actually ascending some 500m along a 2km giant staircase, and the legs were given a real workout!
The views became more and more spectacular and the requisite grumbling lessened as we enjoyed our surroundings - this must be one of the best walks on the Peninsula. The fynbos is abundant and varied, with beautiful gladioli and ericas providing splashes of colour every, and leucadendrons sprouting new pale foliage - doubtless due to the plentiful moisture that is carried over the mountains in the thick southeast cloud, which supplies Table Mountain with annual precipitation of 2000mm. Hence the perennial springs.
We reached the ridge from where we could see across the Fish Hoek/Simon's Town mountains and over False Bay to distant Hangklip, and the peak beckoned me (who would have believed that 10 months ago!!). But the wind had picked up and was forecast to become almost gale force, and an extra 40 minutes or so climbing up would mean the rest of the group waiting too long, and so I will leave that ascent for another day! I will definitely be back.
The descent took about and hour and a half as it was tricky on the knees and ankles, so not an easy hike, and in the gullies we had to brace ourselves against strong gusts of wind that threatened to blow us into the fynbos, but all agreed it had been a good morning's exercise!

In praise of Two Oceans Toastmasters Club members

Yesterday was the Division Contest for the annual Toastmasters International Speech and Evaluation Contest, where a speech contestant from my club, Two Oceans, was the winner of the category. Another fine achievement from the talented individuals in this thriving and enthusiastic club who give so much of themselves and their time to mentor and encourage anyone who seeks to improve their public speaking via Toastmasters. She now heads for the national finals and hopefully the final round in America. This club has in recent years produced 10 Division winners and a semi-finalist in America. No small achievement.

Being there in a supportive capacity was, as always, both fulfilling and educational. There is always something useful to be learned from listening to others speak when you are not required (or allowed) to respond. Learning to be a listener is just as valuable as learning to communicate, as most people listen to others only to the extent that they are waiting to add their bit to the conversation, or even take it over completely, something I am sure you have all had the misfortune to experience. To pay attention by listening to the speaker without comment or reply is a sign of respect for what that person is trying to convey, and an important part of the Toastmasters journey is evaluation of speeches. It can be very daunting to comment on a speech - first of all, you need to have listened extremely attentively, while assessing various aspects such as whether you understood the thread, whether you could identify the introduction, body and conclusion, or simply noticed particularly good use of vocabulary and body language. It is daunting because we seldom listen well enough to be able to assess what we are hearing, let alone give meaningful and encouraging feedback to the speaker. The skills learned by evaluating speeches are a master class in empathy, understanding, upliftment and diplomacy, and can be applied to every aspect of our lives. An even more important aspect is the receiving of an evaluation - learning to take the good with the bad in the way of criticism of a speech in which you have bared your soul to your audience.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Toastmasters to anyone who wishes to hone their communication skills, and can say from personal experience that there is something tremendously satisfying in raising a laugh from an audience.

Devil's Peak meander

We left the parking area of Rhodes Memorial this morning just after the last light rain had fallen, and drifts of misty low cloud draped the rocky cliffs of Devil's Peak, softening the outlines and creating ideal conditions for the steep climb up to the contour path. We are all quite fit now and the pace was not as slow as usual, but as the mist parted and more blue sky revealed itself, accompanied by bright sunshine, we definitely flagged slightly and paused more than once to admire the view.  
Late March lilies were in abundance, and the oaks were still sporting green foliage, so autumn has not quite arrived in Cape Town yet. A spectacular toadstool was spotted at the side of the track, with what looked like a burnt candle growing from the middle - most unusual and not identified! Nature is marvellous - that bit must have a purpose for the toadstool!
A fair climb up the track took us around to the viewpoint on Plum Pudding Hill where we could look across to Robben Island and the distant mountains to the north of the Peninsula, but haziness spoiled the view somewhat and photographs were few. The mountains were magnificent and an abundance of crows spiralling on the thermals provided some interest in the blue skies - they went up and up until almost no longer visible - certainly the highest I have ever seen a crow fly, and I am told that weather balloons are released in the area, perhaps because of the strong thermals created by the shape of the mountain and the prevailing winds?
We descended steeply to the Prince of Wales blockhouse built in the 18th century where a massive cannon was placed to fire at enemy ships in the bay. Before reclamation, the bay was considerably closer than it is now, but it was still hard to imagine how it could have had any effect! It lies forlorn and forgotten next to its mounting, surrounded by shrubbery and dead trees - another sad example of the neglect and lack of maintenance of historical sites.

The way back to the cars was fortunately not by retracing our steps up the incline, and we finished our 5kms in bright sunshine, a gentle cooling breeze and welcome refreshments at the tea garden!

Three years ago and nothing's changed

Another week without rain. The high pressure over the Atlantic has stayed late this year and El Nino is building up wherever it is that it happens. Horticulturists advise us that this bodes ill for rainfall here in the Western Cape. We have had about 5 or 6 years of good rains and have become spoiled by the abundance of water for our gardens, but now even the groundwater levels have dropped and only a trickle comes out of the hosepipe when I turn on the pump. So back to municipal water at iniquitous cost. I continue to plant waterwise and it's just the pots and lawns that need regular watering. I am seriously considering digging up the lawns - depends on what transpires over the next winter and summer with the rain.
Large exotic trees play a part in parching the ground, sucking up vast amounts to feed their rampant growth, when the natural flora of the Cape has a propensity towards low-growing shrubs - very sensible when you consider the frequently gale-force winds that blow back and forth across the Peninsula. There are numerous examples of exotics such as Norfolk pines, gum trees and fast-growing smaller species that have given up the battle to grow skywards and have bent with the wind to grow almost parallel to the ground. They make great pointers as to where not to buy a property if you want to escape the wind and are probably an estate agent's curse.
Speaking of which, I remember many years ago, the house next door was on show (again) and I popped over out of curiosity to see the inside. I inadvertently got chatting with some prospective and really keen buyers, idly mentioning the baboons that regularly raided our houses. They scurried out of there without putting pen to paper - I was definitely an estate agent's curse that day!

Milnerton beach walk

Living in the Deep South, as the Fish Hoek valley and beyond towards Cape Point is fondly referred to, I seldom get near Milnerton beach except to go to the excellent fleamarket on an occasional Sunday morning, or when passing by on my way to another adventure up the West Coast. Today was just perfect for the area, a blue, blue sky overhead with a warm southeaster keeping us cool as we walked around Woodbridge Island and then for a substantial distance towards Bloubergstrand and Big Bay.
The unparalleled view of the Mother City across the bay, nestled in the arms of those wonders of nature, Devil's Peak, Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill, accompanied our walk (not a hike, as just along the beach really, although a good 6km was covered), and I doubt whether anyone who walks there regularly grows jaded through familiarity. I certainly wouldn't. I recall as a child, when we lived overseas for a few years, yearning to see that mountain again, and how excited I was to arrive back in Table Bay on the good ship Pendennis Castle on my 9th birthday. The best present I have ever had!
The walk was enhanced by a receding tide which stretched far down the beach, making walking easy on the hard sand. I took the opportunity to wade along the shoreline in water that was cool and refreshing and crystal clear. My only regret was that I had left my dog, Cleo, at home. She would have run herself to a standstill!
The Milnerton Links golf course runs parallel to the beach, and every so often a golf cart would crest the dunes and the occupants would point out to sea, pretending to admire the view of distant Robben Island and the huge ships waiting in the roadstead, but we knew they had lost their balls!
Small groups were jiving in the shallows, digging out white mussels with their feet, and I was tempted to join them. It is many years since I musseled down at the crayfish factory near Kommetjie and it was always fun, but in reality it wasn't necessary today as I wouldn't have eaten them anyway.
By the time we got back to the cars, the parking lot had filled up and families were making their way down  to enjoy the last of summer on this vast and most hospitable of beaches.

Imagine

Imagine.

How many people understand the significance of that word? John Lennon did, and he left us a message that continues to be rated as one of the most loved songs in the world.

Everything that exists in the material world began as a thought which manifested from quantum reality into material reality through impulses of energy and information. This is an accepted fact and a little deep thought will confirm it. We create what we imagine - think of art, or books. I am imagining these words that I am writing and they are appearing before you. Our thoughts create our view of life. We can see it as good or bad, depending on how we view ourselves in relation to the rest of the world - Einstein showed us that it's all about relativity - our relationship to everything else - a clever man who maintained that his greatest discoveries came from moments of introspection. Surely that shows that our greatest power comes from within and cannot be given to us from an external source?

Imagine a world with no weapons.

Weapons were invented by those who want to have more than they need - to gain control over the things that others have, use or live on. And they developed from hand-to-hand combat weapons to a long-distance means of getting what they wanted without endangering their own lives - the basis of their fears, that they might not have enough, get enough or be important enough. Such cowards.

John Lennon left a message for the world.. When you are ready, you will hear it. In the meantime, I leave you with an excerpt for reflection:


Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world


You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one