Considering the average age of Mountain Club members, it is not a big deal when someone turns 70. Many will say: “been there, still going strong”. But 70 is sort of a dividing line between middle age and old age, with physical capabilities becoming somewhat “unbalanced” at times. Crossing this line can be uncertain, worrying, [...]
I have never read The Chronicles of Narnia by Roald Dahl, mainly because by the time he published it, I was way past fairy stories. Our kids were able to read it for themselves, so I missed out there too. As far as I can gather, Narnia is accessed through a wardrobe and features a [...]
From my chair: 35° 10’ N, 136° 52’ E Dear all Not one of my peaks, sadly, but not a bad view on the walk from the underground to the school where Daughter#1 teaches. Definitely some more exploring is called for on this island. Luke Clark of the Cape Town Section is this year’s recipient [...]
From my chair: Dear all The only peaks visible today from my perch in Singapore are skyscrapers, which aren’t of much interest to me but may be attractive to Alex Honnold (if you haven’t watched it already, you may wish to take a gander at his latest exploit in Taipei: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXiEp_GGSpg). Time’s running out [...]
From my chair: Dear all 2025 is officially over, and I do hope that you’re developing plans for a plethora of enjoyable excursions in the hills this year. And if you are, that you’ll offer some of these as meets to your fellow club-members! ‘Let a hundred flowers bloom’, as a well-known and now deceased [...]
A (Mad?) Hatters last minute summer hiking party to the Groot-Winterhoek Nature Reserve Disclaimer: the story recorded hereunder could be loosely based on real events but could also be fictional. Any resemblance to persons or events could be entirely coincidental and the author cannot be held responsible for the reader’s presumptions. It’s oft been said [...]
From my chair: 34° 00’ 53” S 22° 47’ 10”E (elevation 41m) Dear all It was great to see such a good turnout for the Section’s Christmas Party this week. Lots of good food enjoyed with entertaining conversation on a spectacularly beautiful evening at the Bowling Club. Some pictures of the festivities follow this page. [...]
Boosmansbos wilderness area is well known for its flora and hiking and is only 3 hours from Sedgefield. I did this trail a few months earlier this year in the rain and decided at short notice to put it on for another go. We filled the 11 spots quickly. Ed and Mimi Shuttleworth, Lauren [...]
From my chair: 58’ 31.17”S 22° 35’ 44.89”E (elevation 151m) Dear all You’ll know by now the good news that, as a consequence of the Section’s finances being in rude health, there’ll be no increase in subscription fees for 2026. The meet reports for the recent multiday hikes that have come in show that much [...]
From my chair: 33° 58’ 31.17”S 22° 35’ 44.89”E (elevation 151m) Dear all A great turnout at Thursday’s social, when we were regaled by Clive with images and tales of derring-do in the Andes (and why pasta isn’t useful at high altitudes), before enjoying a range of soups and accompaniments from the Ladybergers. October, as [...]