Vumbuka Nature Reserve

Walking update… 23 May 2010

KENNETH STAINBANK NATURE RESERVE…

Once again the weather played along and we had the most fantastic day for walking.  Happily most of the walk was under cover of trees and we were grateful for this.  Kenneth Stainbank is very nicely maintained and even the two river crossings, that had to be undertaken with care in the past, have been shored up with smaller boulders making it easier than before.  As far as I know, no Zebra were seen this time – but we were all amazed at the sighting of a few buck very close to the pathway on a few occasions. 

Most people are interested in how far the walk was – it ended up being just over 6km in distance.  We started at about 08:20 and were back at the car by 10:30.  The pace was faster than normal and the uphill at the end had me, once again, slowing down to let the faster, fitter walkers pass me and give me encouragement!!!  There were 18 people on the walk. 

I have just contacted the TC Robertson Nature Reserve regarding their “Bat Evening” that they told us about.  Unfortunately they have not been able to set this in place during May and it will now either be held in June or July.

Welcome to visitors and new members

There were no new members but Laura Konig brought her daughter Berry and her niece, Heather, while Amy Thomas brought Jean Smith.  It was wonderful having new faces around and well done to you all who managed the walk without any trouble.  We hope that you will join the club soon. 

Membership fees received:

No Membership fees were received. 

NEXT WALK – 23 MAY 2010

Vumbuka Nature Reserve…

I noticed in the Upper South Coast Fever Newspaper last week that Umgobavano Nature Reserve has been increased in size and the new section is going to be known as Vumbuka Nature Reserve.  On the strength of this I thought it would be great to do this walk on the 23^rd.  As most of you know, this is one of the richest areas for bird life in Natal, so do bring your bird books along with you! 

Directions: 
Turn off the freeway at the Moss Kolnick intersection as though going to the Gallaria Centre.  Go straight through the set of robots.  At the first right turn you will enter South Gate Industrial Park.  Keep along this road until you come to a boom.  One has to have a permit to enter this facility – but if you tell them that you are all part of the Toti Ramblers they will permit you entrance.  After going through the boom please wait there for further directions on how to get to Vumbuka.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:15 and 07:30 for those who do not have transport and require a lift.

Kindly pass this information on to those who do not have e mail facility.

Kenneth Stainbank

Walking update… 26 April 2010

T.C. ROBERTSON NATURE RESERVE…

There were only 7 people at Lords and Legends on Sunday morning and my heart sank.  The weather was perfect and we decided that the long week end must have put paid to the normal turn out.  On arriving at T.C. Robertson we discovered that another 8 people were ready and waiting – this made it a lovely group of 15 and off we went.  No bees attacked us and the walk was very pleasant.  We did just over 6 km’s by doing the walk twice.

WESSA are doing a very good job at maintaining the park.  They have recovered a huge section, from alien vegetation, along the banks of the river and have planted over 200 indigenous trees as well as a number of grass varieties to keep future alien plants away.   I had forgotten to mention that there was a R15 per car entrance fee – so for the 7 cars Toti Ramblers have paid R105 out of the Membership fees received.

Keep your eyes open for an invitation in the South Coast Sun and Upper Fever from the TC Robertson Nature Reserve.  They are going to have an evening where a talk will be given on “Bats”.  The cost will be R15 per vehicle once again.  Apparently they plan to put nets in place to catch bats on the day in question.  This should be very interesting and I will be going.  Let me know if any of you are interested as well?

Welcome to visitors and new members

There were no new members but  I think it appropriate to mention that Marion Clerk, who was a member from early on, has left South Africa and has gone back to live in England.  She asked that I said good bye to all her walking buddies. 

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Elize Wheelright, Nigel & Maria Rees, Denise Bailey, June Gray, Beryl Scott and Fay Gregory.  Thanks to you all.

NEXT WALK – 9 MAY 2010

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve…

Toti Ramblers have done this walk twice before but after our walk on Sunday it was suggested that it would be nice to revisit it again.

The Stainbank family settled in Yellow-wood park in 1857 and they donated the 253 hectares of land to the public.  It consists of Coastal forest which descends to the Umhlatuzana River as well as grassland and bush-clump which surrounds a small dam.  Zebra are also found whilst out walking. 

Directions: The reserve is situated in Coedmore Road in Yellowwood Park.

There is an entrance fee of R15 per person, so please bring this money with you. 

Directions: 
Turn off the freeway at the Edwin Swales Drive/Queensburgh off-ramp, and turn left. After one kilometre, turn right at the Bellair Road intersection, and left along Cliffview Road. Turn left into Sarnia Road and then further along turn right into Coedmore Road at the second set of traffic lights. Continue along this road past the quarries, over the narrow bridge over the Umhlatuzana River , and up the hill until the gates to the reserve are seen on the right.

For those with GPS facilities the co-ordinates are: GPS coordinates: 29 deg 54.79' S, 30 deg 56.51' E

Physical address: 90 Coedmore Avenue, Yellow-wood Park

Empisine Nature Reserve

Walking update… 23 March 2010

SILVERGLEN NATURE RESERVE…

28 Walkers arrived for the walk and it was with despair that I found out that Blessing, the Ranger, had not been told that we would be walking and was not there!  Fortunately he had given me his cell phone number the week before and after a very brief talk he agreed to come and do the walk with us.  It took him three quarters of an hour to arrive – but what a wonderful walk it turned out to be.

The trails throughout the reserve had been allowed to become overgrown – but they had done a marvelous job in cleaning out a trail for Toti Ramblers.  Blessing led us through forest, grass land and home via a long, long tarred road which seemed to go up and up forever.  Although we were instructed to leave all valuables in the cars before the walk, I never felt insecure whilst in the group and hope that they are able to open more and more of the trails in future.  The walk was approximately 6 km long.

A donation of R100 was given to Blessing to hand to Ross Crouch from the Toti Ramblers in appreciation of their effort.  Thanks to all members who so generously dug into their own pockets to give Blessing something as well.  He certainly went beyond the call of duty and it was much appreciated.

Welcome to visitors and new members

Welcome to a number of Bot Soc members who joined us on this walk.  We hope that you enjoyed it.

Janice and Trevor Torr and Hanneley Jacobs were also first time walkers.  Welcome.

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Amy Thomas, Laura Konig, Shirley Coulter and Wendy Allen.  Thank you all

NEXT WALK – 11 APRIL 2010

Empisini Nature Reserve…

For new members who have not had the opportunity to walk in the Empisini Nature Reserve – a little bit about it.

It is situated on the South Coast approximately 50 km south of Durban and 5 minutes from the Umkomaas..  It is 60 hectare in size.  Empisini meaning “The place of the Hyena” is the name of the perennial stream which flows through the valley which consists of dense reeds, wetlands, grassy slopes and 20 hectare of pristine coastal forest.

Looping through the forest are several gentle hiking trails, demarcated picnic sites, overnight cabins and a tree house from which abundant bird life can be admired.

Directions:

Turn left towards Umkomaas and then left again towards Saiccor.  One Km further on, the left hand side, just before a bend in the road, is the entrance to Empisini.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Silverglen Nature Reserve

Walking update… 15 March 2010

SILVERGLEN NATURE RESERVE…

Apologies to all who were inconvenienced yesterday by my call to cancel the ramble at Silverglen Nature Reserve. I made the wrong call.

 I received a few phone calls before sending off my SMS from regular walkers who were not going to be available – and at that time the heavens opened and it appeared as though we were in for really rainy weather.  Coupled to this, and more importantly – I was concerned that there would not be enough people to make up the party that they required for a group to safely go through the reserve under the protection of the two rangers. 

To Beryl, Lydia, Laura, Amy, (Lords & Legends) Brian and Lyn (Silverglen) who arrived for the walk.  I am so sorry.  I drove out to the Reserve to ensure that no one was left waiting there and met with Isaack and Blessing the two rangers.  They are happy to escort us this coming week.  The directions which I gave you were accurate.  Please disregard the sign at the gate telling you to retrace your steps to a new entrance.

 I would like to suggest that we re-schedule it for this coming Sunday – the 21^st March.  A notification will be placed into the South Coast Sun and the Fever notifying everyone of this event.  I hope that we will have a good turnout.

The month of April

My son and family will be visiting me from the UK during the month of April.  This means that I am not going to be available to walk with you on the 4^th as we will be away.  The next rambles after that will be held on the 11^th and the 25^th April.  I might not be able to be with you on the 11^th – but will organize it all and let you have the information as usual.  If anyone would like to organize a walk on the 4^th, please let me know and I will forward this information on to everyone on the data base.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:15 and 07:30 for those who do not have transport and require a lift.

Kindly pass this information on to those who do not have e mail facility.

Silverglen Nature Reserve

Walking update… 2 March 2010

NEW GERMANY NATURE RESERVE…

I am glad that we decided to re-visit the New Germany Nature Reserve as although the section which we originally did was very easy to do – the Ngqobeni Block was not.  Our leader led us up a slight incline and then for the next 15/ 20 minutes we made a very rapid decline along the perimeter fence with barking dogs and houses (with empty swimming pools) on the left.  Eventually the path flattened out for a while and we turned right - towards the reserve again.  The path was mostly under trees at this stage and cool to walk along but the bush surrounds were very thick and this stopped one from seeing any vista. 

As the old saying goes, “When there is a down-hill – there must be an uphill coming” and that was the case.  The walk back to the top of the Block was a steady uphill – with a few zig zag’s to make it bearable.  As someone who “hates uphills” – this will certainly not be one of my favorite walks!  I think that others also found it challenging as people agreed that on a scale of 1 – 10 it came in at an 8.5.

A donation of R50 was placed in the donation box in the Information Centre at the Reserve.

Welcome to visitors and new members

Muhammed and Elna joined the group and managed extremely well for their first walk. 

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Rosemary Hutchinson, Fathima Saker and her son Muhammed, Dave Dobbin, Christine Jankowitz and Jenny Stone.  Thank you all

NEXT WALK – 14 MARCH 2010

Silverglen Nature Reserve…

The first nursery of medicinal plants in Africa is incorporated in this reserve which also boasts about 150 bird and some 120 tree species.  A remnant patch of bush between two rapidly developing urban communities combines grassland, forest and riverine habitats and provides a refuge for all that remains of a once-prolific wildlife population. 

Due to current circumstances the Reserve no longer maintain their paths as they had done in the past, however I have spoken to Ross Crouch, the man in charge, and he is happy to supply two of his field rangers to accompany the Toti Ramblers whilst taking us on a guided tour of the area.

While the original picnic area is no longer available – there will be a spot for us to have our normal tea and sandwiches after the walk as well as a nursery to encourage you to buy indigenous plants.

Directions:

From the N2 take the Higginson Highway off ramp – continue approximately 2 km then turn Left into Havenside Drive.   After 500 m turn left again into Silverglen Drive and after 3,7 km (just after the Caltex service station) left once more into Lakeview Road.  Follow this narrow road for about 600 m to the reserve gates and then continue another 2 km to the nursery and visitor centre.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:15 and 07:30 for those who do not have transport and require a lift.

New Germany Nature Reserve

Walking update… 23 February 2010

MARIAN HILL MONASTERY…

Sunday was wonderful.  The weather was just that little cooler than we had been experiencing during the two weeks leading up to this walk and to make things really exciting we had a bumper turn-out on the day.  29 Walkers arrived and this included 10 new members!  How our club is growing.  Today is Toti Ramblers 1^st year anniversary.  On the 15^th of February last year our first walk was held at the Umkomaas Golf Club where 14 of us walked around the perimeter.  Today we have over 80 people on the data base. Thanks to all of you for making it such a success.

Marian Hill Monastery is steeped in history.  We started our walk off with a slow ramble between the buildings and then around the old age home.  We were fortunate to meet one of the old Brothers who gave us some information about this building.  Each brick had been hand made on site – this giving the outside of the building a rather unique look.  Apparently they presently have 9 occupants in the old age home – 3 of which are retired Bishops.  He was also very proud of the magnificent selection of cycads and tree ferns which grow adjacent to this building.

From there we made our way towards the old farm.  This lush and fertile section of land was approached via a dirt road.  At the top of the hill we came across a number of farm buildings, a friendly guard dog and a helpful security man.  We continued across to the left and down another dirt road until it started going in the wrong direction….  We made our way through the long grass and back towards the buildings.  It was an invigorating walk. 

Afterwards we ended up at the lovely tea garden where we all had something from their tempting menu.  Marian Hill Monastery has organized tours – so if any of you might like to take part in one of these, please contact me.  I would love to get a group together to do this.

Welcome to visitors and new members

Jenny de Swardt, Desiree Potgieter, Fathima Saker, Wendy, Heather Byrnes, Brian & Lyn Martins, Klara Fouche, Dot and Barry Penny – all welcome to your first experience with Toti Ramblers.  I do hope that we have inspired you and that you become regular walkers!

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Paula Verster, Maureen & Graham Dixon, Jenny de Swardt, Heather Byrnes, Dot and Barry Penny, Fred and Lynne Bass, Elvira and Neil Harris, Claire Hannington, Mike and Tracey Hacking, (If I have left anyone off, please let me know!)

NEXT WALK – 28th FEBRUARY 2010

New Germany Nature Reserve – The Ngqobeni Block …

Thanks to Claire for the use of her book on “Day Walks, in and around Durban”.  Whilst going through it I noticed that we missed out on a section of the New Germany Nature Reserve and thought it would be a good idea to remedy this error. 

The Ngqobeni Block is accessed through the same entrance which we used last time – but a key has to be collected from the front gate to get through into this section.  A trail leads down the hill and through a stand of Protea   It continues into a section of coastal forest which harbours birds such as the yellowthroated long claw, black sunbird, gorgeous bush shrike, bully canary and streaky headed canary.  Passing the bush camp, it then descends to the Palmiet River which one follows for a distance  before looping back past a colony of common tree ferns.  There is a short uphill back to the entrance gate.

Remember that there is the aviary and picnic area to make use of at the end of the walk.  A R50 donation will once again be made to them from the Toti Ramblers for the upkeep of the Reserve.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Marion Hill Monastery

Walking update… 14 February 2010

NORTH PARK NATURE RESERVE…

How many times have I ridden past the sign on the M7 which reads, “North Park Nature Reserve” and never taken cognizance of it?  Many, many times!  On Sunday, after a bit of a detour we all arrived at the bottom of Anderson Road and parked our cars – then set off down a very wide path and over a rickety bridge where we were met by the Parks Board Chap who promptly told us that we were on the wrong pathway!  He directed us back to the start where he gladly took R15 from each adult and R5 per child and pointed us in the right direction.  The walk was wonderful.  A gentle walk led us through indigenous forest with plenty of shade.  Lichen grew in abundance and some good photo opportunities presented themselves along the pathway. 

The highlight of the walk was when we had to cross the free flowing Umhlatuzana river over a weir – where with shoes clutched in our hands, we gingerly forged ahead.  It was exciting and cooling and we were delighted to all get across safely. 

The North family gravesite was well tended and gave an interesting ending to a very pleasant 3 km walk.

Welcome to visitors

Brian Baxter and his two daughters attended their first walk and seemed to have had a good time.  Welcome to you all.

New Members

A big welcome to Alan Baxter senior, who has decided to join Toti Ramblers.  For ease of differentiating between the two Alan Baxter’s – I will be calling him “Pops” as suggested by Kayla, his grand daughter.

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Stan and Anna-Marie Mc Naught.  Thanks.  Rosemary, I forgot to collect yours.  Will do so on the next walk, sorry.

NEXT WALK – 14 FEBRUARY 2010

Marian Hill Monastery …

For something totally different, our next walk will be held at the Marian Hill Monastery.  There will be a R10.00 entrance fee which will go towards the up-keep of the monastery grounds. I believe that there is a 2 hour walk around the buildings, down to a river and along a number of houses on the property.  At the end of the walk we will either be able to stop off at the Monastery Tea Room – where you will be able to purchase a cup of tea plus a scone for R20 – or we can have our normal picnic under the trees somewhere on the property.

Directions
Travel on the Toll Road to exit no 23, Richmond Road.  Turn left away from the highway.  At the first set of robots turn right and continue on this road until you come to a fork in the road (or T junction).  Take the right road – this ends at the Monastery gates where we will all congregate.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

North Park Nature Reserve

Walking update… 18 January 2010

NEW GERMANY NATURE RESERVE…

A big thank you to Tracey Hacking for suggesting the New Germany Nature Reserve for our 5 km walk on Sunday.  I am sure that the 21 walkers who arrived thoroughly enjoyed the location and the scenic beauty of the place.  Who would have thought that such a wonderful nature reserve and walk-in-aviary could be found in the middle of New Germany?  Toti Ramblers donated R50 out of the membership fees towards the upkeep of this establishment.

Welcome to visitors

It was lovely to have Libby Deysel from Howick and Ann van Eyssen from Pietermaritzburg join our group for this walk.  We hope that we will see them often.

Membership fees received:

Membership fees were received from Opal Lawson. 

NEXT WALK – 31 JANUARY 2010

North Park Nature Reserve

Our next walk will be held on the 31^st January at the North Park Nature Reserve.

Apparently this 53 ha park is a popular place for bird watching and for picnics.  From the car park a couple of trails lead you through the forest and along the Umhlatuzana River. There are bushbuck, duiker, mongoose and waterbirds around the old settling ponds. There are also the graves of the North family who were the original owners.  I do not think that the trails will be very long – so we might need to do them twice!

Directions
Travel west for about 7 km on the M7 from the N2. Take the North Park exit and turn left onto the M5. Follow this road uphill until you reach the sign for the nature reserve where you turn right into Andersen Road. Follow this road to the entrance to the reserve at the bottom of the hill.

There is a small entrance fee mentioned on the Internet – so please take R20 with you, just in case.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:15 and 07:30 for those who do not have transport.

Kindly pass this information on to those who do not have e mail facility.

Till next time!

Mamba Valley

 

Walking update… 7 December 2009

KENNETH STAINBANK NATURE RESERVE…

It was with a heavy heart that I said goodbye to those who came to Lords and Legends before they set off to the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve.  Unfortunately my toe is taking a lot longer to heal than I thought it would and I am loathe to put any undue pressure on it until the swelling has gone down.

By all accounts, the walk was wonderful.  Janine kindly sent me pictures of the castle, a wonderful tree, a number of buck and a zebra.  Thanks so much for that.  Lynne and Fred, Maureen and Graeme, sorry that you did not manage to meet up with the main party – but glad that you did do a walk on your own and had fun.

Welcome to New Members

No new members to report.

Membership fees received:

No new membership fees were received.

Christmas get-together…  This will be the last walk for 2009!

13^th December 2009

WESSA and Toti Ramblers will be holding a joint walk as our last one for the year.  Dick Dyson has put forward the following suggestion and it will also be in the South Coast Sun on Thursday.

07:00    Meet at Umbogavango gate, then drive approximately 1 km to Heartlands North gate where we will leave the cars in a secure area.  From there we will walk to Mamba Valley gate off Dickens Road.       Walk through Mamba Valley accompanied by expert birders until approximately 09:30

09:30    Collect our cars from North Gate and return to Umbogavango where we can continue to walk or just set up for our picnic lunch, chill and enjoy!

I have suggested that each person bring a R25.00 wrapped gift with them, which will all be put into a bag and handed out by “Father Christmas”.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 06:30 -06:45 for those who do not have transport.

Please pass this information on to those who do not have e mail facility.

Till next time!

Springside Nature Reserve

Walking update… 8 November 2009

UMBOGAVANGO NATURE RESERVE…

This newsletter will have to start with a HUGE thank you to all the Toti Ramblers who arrived on Sunday to share my special day with me.  Thanks too, to all of you who so freely donated towards my beautiful Buren Swiss made wrist watch that I was able to choose from NWJ last weekend.  It may not be everyone’s cup of tea – with no numbers on the face – but to me it is PERFECT.  I will be able to remember you each time I look at it.

I guess that we will have to say that the day went off with a bang!  For those of you who were not at Umbogavngo on Sunday it will be have interest to know that one of the factories in the Industrial Park burnt to the ground.  We experience a hefty explosion and then a gigantic fire ball could be seen well above the trees that sheltered us at the Boma.  Fortunately the wind kept the smoke away from our party and it did not affect us at all. 

The walk was a strange one too, I tried to remember how to get to the new section of the park – but had to admit defeat and ended up doing a number of shorter walks on different path ways.  I was sorry that Dick Dyson was not able to be there to lead the way.

Welcome to New Members

Preston Will and Wendy Pretorius.  It was nice meeting you both and we hope that you have a long and happy association with Toti Ramblers.

Membership fees received:

Preston Will and Janine van Heerden – thank you

Next walk Sunday 8^th November 2009 @ 08:30…

SPRINGSIDE NATURE RESERVE

This 21 hectare nature reserve has not been well documented on the Internet – all that I can find is that it is an enjoyable walk through grassland, indigenous forest & pools.  Lydia has found out that the Botanical Society will be having a walk at the same time so we can choose which walk to do.  I believe that the birding is also great here.

Directions to Springside Nature Reserve:

·         Take the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg.

·         Take the M13 glide off to the left just after the Pavilion Shopping Centre. (Exit no.17)

·         Take the Hillcrest off ramp. ( Exit no.28)

·         Turn right at the traffic lights and proceed along Old Main Rd towards Hillcrest.

·         At the traffic lights with the Heritage Market on your left and Shell garage on your right, turn right into Stonewall Rd.

·         You will come to a T-junction, turn right into Springside Rd.

·         Proceed along Springside Rd until you reach the bottom of the hill where you will see Springside Nature Reserve entrance on your left.

We will be walking – rain or shine – so look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:30 -07:45 for those who do not have transport.

Please pass this information on to those who do not have e mail facility.