Wild flowers and wildlife

Leaving Piekersnoof resort we returned South towards Mslmesbury, in cloudy misty weather. We were heading for Darling and a wildflower reserve. This is terrain known as Renisterveld, which has mainly been taken over for farming so is highly endangered leaving only a small amount remaining.

Here we saw both massed flowers which opened as the sun increased and individual species, many spring bulbs. It is so interesting to see plants that are cultivated for our gardens or sometimes houseplants, growing wild. Apparently it is usually the forest plants, and shade loving plants that are cultivated for houseplants as they can deal with low light levels.arum lollies grow both individually and in clumps on the roadsides and in the fields.

There were also locusts and at one point I gave a wide berth to a very large bee. The locusts is being held by one of our guides!

From here we went on to a winery, the Ormonde winery where we had a buffet lunch, all meat, cheese, bread and cake, not a vegetable in sight! But it was very good and beautifully presented with local foods. Then we tried some wines although I have to admit they were very sharp and not very flavourful in my opinion.

The afternoon was the piece de resistance,  when we drove on to the Western Cape National Park.  Here we were met with drifts if flowers spreading down towards the ocean, acres and acres like drifts of snow. Then when you looked uphill the effect was different as you see only the backs of the flowers. There were masses of white interspersed with orange and in places patches of blue and oranges. Our guides allowed us to get it but the signs contradicted thus and I gather there are snakes in the shrub so we kept strictly to the road.

We also visited a viewpoint looking across to Langabaan where we spotted tortoise, lizards and also on the return zebras, Bontybok, eland and ostriches, then on entering Buffelfontein we saw giraffes too.

We arrived at the resort to find that 5 of us women are in the forest lodge in the middle if the game park. We can only get to the main complex by bus as there are animals all around us and we returned from supper to find our house surrounded by inquisitive wildebeest!

Our little house is round with rooms all round the edge each looking out onto the reserve. I looked out each time I awoke but there appeared to be no visitors in the night. The rooms are comfortable and I used both blankets fro m the wardrobe as it is cold at night. There is hot water, although the shower door nearly came off and there is a tablet if soap firmly stuck on the stone floor in the corner of the shower!

I could take a fancy to the little mats on the floor.

Moving on to Cederberg

We left Cape Town at a civilised hour to head to Piekenierskloof Resort.  It is another fine dry day with temparatures set to reach 28°.  I had managed to avoid another unwelcome encounter in the bar the previous evening, joining a colleague for a hot chocolate, much more civilised. It was a long drive but we had several stops along the way, all involving flowers but also other interesting local experiences. The scenery was quite amazing. I learnt a new South African expression, 'holding our thumbs' which I gather means keeping your fingers crossed!

At our first stop we were able to watch the weaver birds and their little hanging nests. They were beautiful little yellow birds. There was a pond with ibis in the trees around too and various wildflowers which our guides identified. I am just enjoying them as my knowledge is not at a level to identify them or even recognise their significance. My response is to note ones that would make a good painting or an embroidery design.   This was an unscheduled stop as someone had readjusted the microphone meaning our guides ' information was amplified with special effects!

We passed by farmland with Canola, which is like rape, cattle, onions planted for diversity,  against a backdrop of the Cape Mountains. All livestock here are free range. The verges were scattered with wildflowers turning their heads into the sun. Andreas told us that the Rinoveld was the most endangered environment with only 1% left. There is also serious drought with the possibility of water restrictions which has caused fires and sffected the flora. We saw reservoirs used for agriculture all at very low levels.

We stopped at a delightfully quirky farm shop called Desert Rose.  It had very pretty gardens, lots of locally made things for sale and great coffee. The loos were definitely worth a visit, with an array of hats on the wall, funny sayings and an old suitcase housing the towels. From here we were invited to visit a local farm to see the wild flowers in their fields on the slopes. It looked like drifts of snow.

We arrived at the resort at around 1pm, and despite the cancellation of the  Clanwilliam Flower show having been notified some weeks ago, the hotel seemed to have been caught by surprise, so we waited a long time for lunch with a tight deadline. Let's hope things  improve. After lunch we visited Ramskopf Wildflower garden, which was set in amazing landscape and contained an array of interesting flowers. 

 

Although as ever, there were no seats in places where there was something interesting to paint!   We stopped on the way back to explore the verges, and amongst burnt stumps and a lot of rubbish found orchids amongst other things.

We collected our keys and I found I have a cabin that is probably bigger than my house at home. It sleeps 6! But have settled in , enjoyed a pleasant buffet meal with colleagues and now a good night's sleep.

The following day was grey and later wet, but we visited Clanwilliam again and tried to visit the church which was locked so clearly a visit is not going to happen to even see the venue of the flower show, however Nancy's tea room called and offered a quaint interior and another rooibos cappuccino!  

A visit to the to this factory, comprised a film and shopping not a factory visit, but I came away with an authentic packet of tea bags and some honeybush tea. I also learned that it can be I used as a liquid alternative  to any dish and left brewing or even drunk cold with fruit juice, so more things to try on my return.
We made the most of a damp afternoon with a talk and photos and I escaped for a relaxing massage!
The hotel is beautifully situated with views of the mountains and a very friendly staff. We have been offered buffet meals in abundance although more meat is on offer than vegetables! So lunch is usually a salad!

Exploring the Cape of Good Hope

Map of Cape

Today we explored the Cape in very windy but beautiful sunny weather. There had been roaring winds in the night, and it is known as the Cape Doctor as it clears the germs and can blow at considerable force for days on end.  When we got out to photograph Haut Bay we could barely stand and it has been interesting trying to take photos ! In fact we did not stop at one beach as it looked like a sandstorm and would clearly have been very uncomfortable.

Today was a mixture of plants, animals and geological formations.  The rocks here are really ancient and those from the Malmesbury group are said to have inspired some of Darwin's theories of deep time. All make for beautiful rugged coast lines, white sandy beaches and varying environments. Part of our journey was along Chapman's Peak Drive,  where we had close up views of the rocks, a pass which suffers frequently from rock falls.

I just found many tranquil moments to commune with nature, listening to the sea and birds, feeling the sun on my skin and sensing peace and quiet.

 

As we approached the Cape we explored the flora and saw more interesting plants, mostly low growing and some  with ways to protect flowers to enable bees to fertiliser in warmth. It was towards the Cape that we saw Elan, Bontybok and some had unpleasant experiences with baboons.


We left the Cape to travel towards Simonstown where we had a super seafood lunch at the Black Merlin, before continuing on to the Penguin Reserve, where we saw the efforts to protect the Jackass penguins. The whole journey offered spectacular coastal views and endless ocean.