my views

With South Africa under national lockdown Level 3 to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the beaches and many recreational activities like picnicking, braaing and swimming are off limits. And while a dip in the ocean may not be permitted, a walk alongside it, smelling the fresh sea breeze and feeling the cool ocean spray is a great consolation.  Hike the Hoek van Bobbejaan Trail We hiked the Hoek van Bobbejaan Trail in Cape Point, which is part of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve. It is a circular route with an estimated hiking time of 3 hours.  The trail starts with a sharp, stair-like descent to the beach. There were many people foraging in the low tide for crayfish. This is allowed, provided you have a permit. We also saw quite a few people angling (fishing). We were fortunate that there was a bit of mist when we started (just after 8am) so it was nice and cool.  A misty morning Can you spot the diver? He's searching for crayfish Stunning ocean views As our hike continued, the

It’s become something of a family tradition to venture to Klondyke Cherry Farm in Ceres towards the end of the year for a family day out. We’ve been doing the annual trip for the last five years, mostly because my mother is crazy about cherries. Usually there is a lot of moaning (from a certain brother) because it entails an early morning start, a two-hour plus drive and some prep needed beforehand. But it is an enjoyable outing with the drive down the N1, through the Huguenot Tunnel and then the most scenic views while you are dwarfed by the majestic mountain ranges.  The road meanders next to the Breede River, which was quite dry this time of year. Because I have a huge family, we met at the Engen One Stop on the N1 so we could drive in convoy to the farm. Am I in cherry heaven? The view from the orchard How much does it cost? Klondyke offers a R10 discount per person if you arrive before 10am. Thereafter, the entry fee is R30 per person, R15 per child under 10 and

Most people who know or follow me on Insta , are aware that most of my Sundays (sometimes Saturdays) are spent in Silvermine Nature Reserve , which is part of the Sanparks Table Mountain National Park. Where is Silvermine Nature Reserve? If you are travelling on the M3 towards Muizenberg, you turn right at the end of the road to take Ou Kaapse Weg on the way to Noordhoek. As you ascend the incline, the road will take a sharp right and Silvermine Nature Reserve Gate 1 is on the right hand side. If you are somewhat puzzled by my directions, just Google Maps it! How much does it cost? There is an entrance fee of R35 per adult and R15 per child. If you have a four-legged, furry friend, they charge R70 for the dog and an accompanying adult. Waleed and I used to pay these fees weekly, until we got a couples' Wildcard (which provides unlimited entries into any of the parks or reserves) and a My Activity Permit for Kygo (this allows him into certain parks, reserves and beaches). Fo

If you are anything like me, you love a good deal and it’s even better when you get something for free. I also love the allure of the mountain, as you can probably tell from my Gram posts, and during my recent staycation there was a combination of all of these things.  For this trip we substituted our hiking boots for cable car tickets and what made it even sweeter was that my niece and nephew received a free ride.  It’s Kidz Season at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway but hurry because the promotion ends on 24 September 2018 . With one adult return ticket purchased for R250, two kids travel free. They even get vouchers to collect free candy from the shop when you get to the top.  You can check their rates and whether they are open on their website . On the ride up we could see so many Proteas on the face of the mountain.  The mountain is never the same every day, because of the weather, but the 7th wonder of nature is still worth experiencing. The kids were real