Local secret spot

Today we were introduced to a very special place. I didn't even know it existed! Of course, now that I know it's there, we will DEFINITELY be visiting again. This is a site along the Liesbeeck River. To the left of where N is standing, the hill rises up with beautifully planted indigenous vegetation, with lovely paths scattered between. To the right, is the river itself, just down a little bank. 

It's all maintained by the local residents, in conjunction with Friends of the Liesbeeck (and a few other patrons, apparently). What a fabulous project! If only more residents would be as concerned about their local area and do something about it. While there are still plenty mature, alien trees around, there are plenty of indigenous ones that have been planted and are slowly growing to maturity. No doubt, once they've grown enough to maintain the shade cover, the aliens will be removed.

This is a great hideaway from the city, and a beautiful picnic spot. We caught frogs and tadpoles and a crab today. Definitely a spot to consider for future parties and gatherings! 

England in Cape Town

We went for a walk today in an area we never knew existed until today. My mom told us about it. In the Durbanville Hills there are a number of greenbelt areas. This one, near Welgedacht, is actually a series of mountain bike trails. It's one of the few areas where dogs are allowed.

As we were walking, we came up a steep hill to be greeted by this sight. It would seem that spring has come early to Cape Town!

The colour of the Oxalis was amazing - luminous yellow. Of course, in broad shots like this my phone doesn't pick up the hues.

But in close up you get the idea...

We were really surprised by how much it felt like we were walking in English countryside. Of course, we loved that, since we have such fond memories of walking in the English countryside - those were times that were like a breath of fresh air (literally and spiritually) after London.

My big girl - growing up so fast!

Walking along the Cable Car road

This morning we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went for a walk along the Cable Car road (I can't for the life of me remember its name at the moment.) This was the Mountain before the clouds rolled in - you can just see them coming in on the right.

Now you see it, now you don't - Lion's Head and Signal Hill disappear in the clouds.

I love this photo, although it doesn't look as amazing as it did in person (what I wouldn't give for a proper camera, but then, I probably wouldn't take it with me all the time...). What I particularly love is the way the sun is shining off the ocean, just beyond the harbour, through gaps in the clouds. It looks like a negative of a photo of whales under the water... or at least, it does to me.

What a great way to spend the morning! Nellie was in her element bossing us around (see the photo of her on her blog). The dogs were in their element getting to run around unhindered. I was in my element being able to walk without pain for the first time in MONTHS. Graeme was in his element having both Nellie and I in a good mood at the same time (poor chap!), and for all of us to be able to spend quality time together. Let's hope there are more days like this in the near future.

Fun at Kirstenbosch

We went to Kirstenbosch today, with the dual function of getting Nellie out into the open for a bit (and to try and get her to be a bit more active today) and also getting an Indigophora for Zoe's anniversary on Monday.

Graeme took such a cute video of Nellie and I rolling down the hill. I've posted it on Nellie's blog, so go and check it out. Right now I find I'm tired all the time, and I know it's just grief taking its toll. It was a relief to play and have fun, and not be constantly thinking about her. Plus it was such fun to just spend time as a family (away from the TV, Leo and Nellie's toys) and to actually be out in the sun.

National Braai Day

Unbelievable, but yes. We have a National Braai (BBQ) day.

We spent ours wandering around Tygerberg Nature Reserve. I have lived in Cape Town practically my entire life, and never knew this reserve even existed. The first I knew of it was when my mother moved house to about 1km from it (about 5 years ago), and mentioned it to me. Because of its position, it's not the kind of place you want to visit in bad weather - it's very exposed, so can get very windy and cold.

However, the weather was playing along today, for all the braaing that's taking place, no doubt. We decided to brave it and go have a wander. Needless to say, we are all thoroughly exhausted (up hill and down dale pushing pram and toddler = very sore back, arms and legs!). However, it was well worth it. The views were incredible - the wind had blown away the smog (I wish now I'd taken a photo of the view from the other side of the mountain, looking towards Cape Town) and so we could see all the way to the Franschoek mountains, Houwhoek on the far side of False Bay, down to Simonstown on the other side of False Bay, and across to Table Mountain. As I said - awesome views!

In addition to the stunning views, we were treated to our first exposure to ticks (welcome home to Africa!) since coming home, but more importantly, we saw buck! Up close and personal. At one stage, they took a real interest in the pram and followed us up the hill for quite a way. Finally I think they got a bit spooked by the sound of my phone taking photos and wandered off the road again into the bush. Incredible!

Here are a few photos (of the loads I took) to give you a flavour of the day. This is the back of the mountain - looking up towards the only eyesore: phone masts (which I've skillfully avoided including in the photo). The purple flowers look rather grey in the photo, but they were just gorgeous in real life. The yellow ones also look a bit dull. I think I will have to play around with my phone settings to get the right light.

This is looking out from the back of the reserve towards the Franschoek Mountains. From the top of the reserve you can see from there all the way round to Table Mountain.

This is the last of the buck disappearing back into the bush. They had followed us all the way from the large tree you can just see on the right, at the very bottom of the hill.

Here are the other buck - this is looking out towards Table Bay again. If you look closely you can see the baby buck with them. If I remember correctly, these are Bontebok, a type of antelope (we don't get deer in SA).

I love this country!