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 1st year anniversary. On the 15th 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.
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