Already three weeks into the new year it was definitely time to start walking off any remaining excesses of the festive season. A gentle start to what is hoped to be a varied and interesting hiking season for the club. Romy, Mike, Cheryl and Greg duly met up with Gary and Sandy at the parking lot at Morris Point, a little way off from the little fishing harbour.
L to R: Sandy and Gary Cundill, Greg & Cheryl Devine, Romy and Mike von der Heyde
Under overcast skies and a welcome light breeze we walked along the shores of Skulpiesbaai, admiring the work ethic of past generations of Strandlopers who had constructed the extensive network of fish traps. Looking up at the ‘kapstyl’ houses of the Bosbokduin development, we passed the site of one of the earliest oil drilling attempts (unsuccessful).
Quite a few fishermen were hard ‘at work’ in the spring low tide conditions, but morning tea was calling, so we kept going past an old fishing hut, along a sanded beach and then headed up a track to the beach shack for a stop. This was the high point (60 m above M.S.L.) of the walk (enjoying his freshly baked scone one of the party was of the view that it was the high point in another sense too…).
After that it was back onto a rocky section of beach, past the dassies that guard the cabins at Jongensgat, and on to Leven Point for a swim.
The houses of Groot Jongensfontein were now in sight, and a bit of a trudge along a seaside dirt road brought the party to the edge of the settlement. A few minutes later the swimming beach was reached and, since the weather had turned gorgeously sunny, it was time for a cold and refreshing soft serve.
Thanks, all, for joining us for a very pleasant excursion.
Meet Leaders ~ Gary & Sandy Cundill