Showing posts with label outdoors. Show all posts
Pottering towards Peers Cave
Over the last few weekends we've managed to squeeze in a couple of family outings in spite of the *crazy* season we are in (trips to Zimbabwe, boys back to back birthdays, planning Cape Explorers, moving into a new season without a maid, trips to the UK - whew!).
One of my upcoming cape Explorer outings is to a cave we have often walked to, but not recently enough for me to be sure my littlest Explorers would cope. So off we set to explore Peers Cave on Skildergat Ridge.
It is a lovely flat sandy path...
with stunning flowers showing us the way...
Aragorn thought this rock looked like a rhino....
...fun for the little ones to examine the creepy crawlies (and be awed by the color of their blood after accidentally squashing them - eugh!)
We made it to the cave we always get to...
but then it dawned on me that I had seen descriptions of other caves along this very ridge. So this time, we explored further and deeper and found Tunnel Cave. I was thrilled! I often see this cave as I drive in the valley and was overjoyed to have made it!
After returning home to write the Living Letter for CE, it struck me that I still hadn't yet reached the right cave. The descriptions I had read did not match the caves we had been in. So two weekends later, off we set again, this time from the Fishoek Valley side. Park behind the sports facilities at the Silvergaldes Sports Fields (our car felt even more exposed and vulnerable here on the Sunday afternoon we went than on busy Ou Kaapse Weg).
Now, this walk is much prettier than the other way, and we were amazed by how stunning it was...however, it is MUCH more taxing. My kids are seasoned explorers, and they struggled up the steep hillside, as did Braveheart and myself who clearly are not as fit as we were at the beginning of winter!
The dunes were our children's highlight, and we spend a good chunk of time playing on them after our descent. I think we'll be spending more time there this summer...
And finally we found the cave I'd read about...
Peers Cave
Are you wondering what on earth King Arthur is doing?
Ha and his brother got completely drenched trying to catch run-off drops from the roof of the cave into their mouths!
I don't recommend the other route with young children (under 7's).
Enjoy exploring!
Snow!!!!
Saturday morning dawned like any other morning in this household. I casually checked my computer, peeking into Facebook and noting the snow updates from Matroosberg Nature Reserve in Ceres -I'd become "friends" with them earlier in the week. I mentioned it in passing to Braveheart, who knows that each year since we've been here I've wanted to go and find the snow. Well this year, before we were even all dressed, he made the decision to take us away to see the snow - what a blessing!
I scrambled to find us some overnight accommodation, and at the last minute, was pleased to find us a self catering chalet at the Pine Forest Resort in Ceres. It reminds me a lot of the National Parks places at home, and I was impressed with the cleanliness of the chalet we were in - basic, but everything one needed. The kids were so taken with it that we could have spent the whole weekend playing just there and they would have been happy! They had a wonderful playground as well, which our kids loved - not sure this would be my cup of tea in high season, but it was perfect for this weekend!
As we arrived after lunch, the snow seemed to have melted/reduced dramatically, so we decided to take a drive up some nearby mountain passes, and had a picnic and one of the look out spots....
Should I mention at this point how very cold it was....does this give you a clue?
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| See the rainbow? |
Sunday sunrise on the mountains, and up early, we made our way to Matroosberg Nature reserve... our little Toyota Verso somewhat outnumbered by the sheer numbers of 4x4 - I've never really wanted to own one until this weekend! I was amazed by the queue out of the reception at 9 in the morning - clearly many people had had the same idea as us...but not so many were paying to hike - they were choosing to drive to the summit! Undeterred, we carried on, paid the fee to hike, and parked our car at the campsite car park, and walked the 2km to the start of the trail!
I was so impressed with my kids - their perseverance, determination and sheer grit to get to the snow. For little legs it was far...and yet they kept on. Once there, we had such fun....
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| building snowmen |
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| having snowball fights... |
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| Belle and I made this one... |
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| Can youo see us on the side of the mountain? |
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| Dad getting in on the fun! |
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| Love my boys! |
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| The mountain.....summit covered in cloud... |
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| King Arthur was overjoyed to spot this Cape Sugarbird... |
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| I need to work on my aim! |
We knew it was time to head down the mountain when Aragorn tried to fold himself in half to keep warm, poor fellow...so back to camp to have a warm bath, hot chocolate and some much needed food!
It was idyllic in every way - a gift that warmed our hearts and will stay with us forever.
Enjoying Elephant's Eye
This weekend led to an inspired hike...
and a gorgeous family day...
my heart always feels so full after moments like these.
I was so impressed with my children, as none of them take to walking far without complaining. But this day, we were all so enjoying each other the the moments, they did so well...Aragorn only started to cave in on the last stretch back to the car park!
got to love the scale of this shot - can you see us bottom left?
aren't grubby faces always a tell tale sign of happiness?
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| tadpoles in the last remaining pools |
Summer...
I paused as I wrote the title of this post ... I was hoping to call it "Sizzling Summer" but after the rain this week and the cold snap we've had, I'm not sure I can venture out to say that yet! I do so hope that today's wonderful weather truly does mean summer is here at last!
So far in our holidays we have....
I hope you're out there soaking up the sun too! Happy summer holidays!
So far in our holidays we have....
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| had a Christmas lunch with a student (now friend and part of the family!) |
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| spent time on Noordhoek Common soaking up blue skies, wide open spaces and acorns! |
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| started to spend many an hour soaking up the sea, sand and sun with SMILES! |
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| And nothing says summer more than watermelon! Great big pink slices with juice dribbling down our chins! |
And me? This photo commemorates a monumental walk I took on the beach one summer's eve. A walk to restre my innner world and seek Him. But whilst doing it, I managed, for the first time this year, to walk barefoot on the beach free of pain - my feet are finally healing! (Just one more year of orthotics!)
Sunday Stroll @ Alphen & Ferndale Nursery
Today, in spite of still fighting to overcome a bout of flu, I needed to be outdoors. A chilly wind could not deter me from the gorgeous sun, and so off we set, further afield than usual, to the Alphen trail in Constantia.
It has got to be one of my all time favorite places - space, green meadows, peace and quiet - even though there are an endless myriad of dogs all over the place!
And after this gorgeous time we pulled into Ferndale Nurseries, on Brommesvlei Road. This is one of my favourtire nurseries as it is so kid friendly!
Here's hoping your weekend was filled with color too!
It has got to be one of my all time favorite places - space, green meadows, peace and quiet - even though there are an endless myriad of dogs all over the place!
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| this is the delightful mud pool where Belle fell in just after taking this photo and I had no spare clothes with me, except for a jacket :( ! |
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| a wonderful wall to climb along |
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| miles of it! |
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| the view from our picnic spot |
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| Belle and Braveheart - this sight can stop my heart |
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| the boys captured this run away balloon... |
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| beautiful trees |
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| look at the height of these trees! You can see King Arthur walking with his head thrown back trying to see their tops! |
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| Belle trying too! |
A maze for dads to chase children in, or play hide and seek:
A playground full of a wonderful variety of things:
And endless rows of colorful seedlings!
Here's hoping your weekend was filled with color too!
