Our son Chris lifted us to Constantia Nek, from where we began our hike at 5pm, taking the trail straight up to the first switchback of the bridle path, and continuing on the steep trail until we joined the concrete road for the last haul up to De Villiers reservoir and Overseers cottage.
Liparia splendens next to the path.
By the time we reached the Alexandra and Victoria dams, the sun was beginning to get low and the road was in shadow. We reached the MCSA hut just after sunset.
There were five other people already at the hut, so after introductions and chat we sorted out our living spaces, and then got busy preparing our supper of pasta and tuna with tomato pesto, olives and sliced cucumber.
Next morning it was clearly going to be a warm day but we were not in a hurry. What a pleasure to stand on the terrace and let the frog sounds, bird sounds, insect sounds take over your senses.
After last cup of tea and packing away, we set off with a day pack along the Apostle's path to do a first time visit to Tranquility Cracks. We took the trail past Kasteel's Poort and Woody Ravine and negotiated the scrambling pitch after Slangolie and looked out for a small path to the right after reaching the top of the ridge. Found it without a problem and took the small but clear trail through the fynbos and birdsong for a few minutes and found an entrance to Tranquility Cracks.
I have not yet worked out how to control the amount of flash that the camera emits so most of these pictures are far too exposed - it was actually much darker in there! And many different labyrinths and paths to explore.
Out on the other side!
A lovely spot to have tea!
Back through the cracks!
We got back onto the Apostles' Path and headed back to the MCSA hut. Very hot now!
Once back at the hut it was kettle time and tea brewing. Bridget took the chance to get a clearer picture of the white/yellow pom pom flowers that we had seen near Alexandra and Victoria reservoirs the previous day, and which were prolific in front of the hut.
We later identified them as Bulbinella nutans.
The route back was past the Overseers house, across and below Hely-Hutchinson dam wall, through Lister's nursery and down the Nursery Ravine. Once we had reached shade a little way down Nursery, we made a stop and then continued on tiring legs the rest of the trail through the zig-zags, the forest and Kirstenbosch to the Rycroft gate.
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