Umbogavango Nature Reserve

Walking update… 25 October 2009

PALMIET NATURE RESERVE…

Imagine if you will, 17 adults on the back of a flat bed truck careering around Westville.  Inside the truck another 2 people and an injured Duiker?...   Read on.

Our early morning walk started a few minutes late – as the guide did not arrive and we set off on our own - following the “blue route” towards the falls.  According to the trail marker it would be a 2.5 km walk.  Just before reaching the cascades we were met by the most plaintiff sound of an animal in distress.  A Duiker was trying to scramble away from the mass of people descending onto its territory.  Lydia managed to catch the stricken buck and carried it for the next kilometer.  Then it was transferred to Nico, who set off at a fast pace towards the cars.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way we managed to get onto the wrong trail and after 5.4 km finally arrived at a tarred road outside the Westville University Residence.  Now, back to the start of this letter!

We flagged down a very unwilling motorist and pleaded with him to give David a lift back to the cars.  This he did.  Dave brought his flat bed truck and loaded his “live stock” onto the back of it.  We had a cramped but very festive trip back to the cars.

Thanks to all for the help received.  Who would have thought that we could have had so much fun on a Sunday morning?

Sadly I have to end this happy tale by telling you that the buck was euthanised early this morning, as the Vet, after examining it, found that its back was broken.  At least it was shown a lot of love during its last day on earth.  Toti Ramblers donated R50 of the membership fees towards CROW Rehabilitation Centre whilst R100 was received from others on the walk.

Welcome to New Members – No new members on this walk

No Membership fees received:

Next walk…

UMBOGAVONGO NATURE RESERVE

Unfortunately I will be involved in the Amashovashova on the 18^th October when our next walk should be taking place.  So please note that the date has changed to the 25^TH October 2009.

We will be re-visiting the wonderful Umbogavongo Nature Reserve for our normal walk.  Hopefully Dick Dyson will be able to do his magic and take us around the new section once again.

After the walk I would love it if you all stayed for a happy get-together to celebrate my 60^th birthday with my friends and family.  I have the Umbogavongo Reserve until 16:00.  Please bring drinks and a picnic with you.

Farewell…

We will also be saying goodbye to Molly Smit at this walk.  Each year she and her husband spend the winter months in Amanzimtoti and then go home to the cooler Bloemfontein for the summer.   We wish her well on her next walk in Rwanda in June and look forward to her return next year when she can tell us all of her adventure.

Directions to Umbogavango Nature Reserve:

From the N3 Freeway take the Moss Kolnick turnoff. Continue to the exit after the new shopping centre, turn right into the Industrial Area.  Keep to your right.  Entrance to Umbogavongo after boom.

Palmiet Nature Reserve

Walking update… 4 October 2009

PARADISE VALLEY…

Twenty six people attended our Paradise Valley walk this Sunday.  The weather was perfect.  Green buds showed on many of the trees and the smell of fresh earth was rejuvenating after our first spring rain which had fallen earlier in the week.

We walked approximately 3.5 km in total and this took us along winding pathways through natural forest and bush.  The view from the look-out deck at the waterfall was breathtaking.  Apparently the water flowing in this river is checked every 2^nd week to ensure that it is free of impurities. Nico and his group spotted a Duiker in the forest while Elvira and Neil spotted a Dassie.  The back walkers on the Doormouse trail saw a mound of rocks and we decided that this must have been one of the many burial mounds that they mentioned in their write-up.  All in all a fantastic walk which I am sure we will do again.

Welcome to New Members

Lynne and Fred Bass, Paula Verster, Wendy and Vic Anderson, Nico and Sonia le Roux and Annetjie Viljoen – 75 people on the data base now! 

Apparently Nico is into bird identification – so from now on we will be able to identify the various birds that we see on our walks.

Membership fees received:

Dawn Muir, Katjie Botha, Paula Verster, Wendy Milne, Fred and Lynne Bass.  Thanks so much.

Next walk…

Palmiet Nature Reserve - Westville

On the first Sunday of the month there is a guided walk through the reserve which I suggest we do.  Unfortunately it leaves at 07:30 – which means that we will have to leave earlier from Lords and Legends than normal

There is no charge for this walk but Toti Ramblers will donate R50 from the annual subscription fee towards it.  Should anyone else wish to donate, please do so on the day.

• Scenery: spectacular cliffs, river, forest and grassland
• Trails: 15 km of guided and self guided trails: sunset and night trails
• Environmental education: ecology, iron and stone age cultures
• Recreational: braai and picnic sites, disabled trail
• Solitude experiences

Directions:

From the N3 Freeway take the Pavilion/Westville off ramp into Westville. Drive straight up Attercliffe road then right at the T junction into Jan Hofmeyr. Left into Old New Germany Road at the Village Market Centre. Right into Edgecliffe Road.

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

Please note:

EARLY STARTING TIME:

We will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 06:20 to 06:45 to enable us to get to the walk in Westville by 07:30.

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

Paradise Valley Nature Reserve

Walking update… 20 September 2009

TREASURE BEACH…

Treasure Beach was hard work!  The steps leading down to the beach from the car park were gentle and inviting – the sand was lovely and hard to walk on and the wind was non existent.  The extreme low tide was welcome as it exposed a variety of rock and rock shelves not normally visible. 

After walking for approximately 2 hours we came across the stair case that I so vividly remembered from my last ramble there.  On counting, there are actually 389 steps in total and I am really impressed that all the “Old Ramblers” made it to the top.  Kudus to the two new members who sensibly waited at the bottom and spotted a whale which none of us saw from above!    

The party split at this point with a number returning to the car while the die-hards continued.  On turning round we were walking into a wind and the tide was a little higher making the going slower and harder.  I was one really happy lady to eventually settle down to my coffee and sandwich in the car park at the end.  The distance covered was 9 km (which included the staircase climbing).

Welcome to New Members

Joan Harris, David and Janine Spiller.  May you have happy times rambling with our club.

Membership fees received:

Claire Hannington.  Thanks.

NEXT OUTING ON THE 20 SEPTEMBER 2009

PARADISE VALLEY

Paradise Valley Nature Reserve is surely one of the most visited in the world, with tens of thousands of people passing through it each day. The problem is that most of them whoosh by on the Paradise Valley Viaduct at an altitude of 50 metres without having the faintest idea that far below them lies a tranquil reserve. There's a waterfall, lots of flora and fauna to ooh and ah over, as well as a fair chunk of local history, with about 80 mysterious burial mounds, and the ruins of Durban's first waterworks, dating to July 1887.

Situated along the Umbilo River, the 100ha reserve has several graded trails and picnic and braai sites on the banks of the river.

Visitors might see mongoose, bushbuck, duiker and otter.

Cost:  R8.00 Adults, R4.00 Pensioners and R3.00 children

Directions:

Eden Road, off Stapleton Road, R103 just before Pinetown. 

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

Please note: With the hotter weather approaching we have decided to start our walk half an hour earlier.  So we will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:30 and 08:00 to organize the lift club – or meet at Paradise Valley at 08:30.

Treasure Beach Walk

6 September 2009

Walking update…

EMPISINI NATURE RESERVE…

Empisini was a lot drier than the last time the Toti Ramblers walked through it.  Whether this had anything to do with the lack of spiders and crabs I am not sure – but it was nice not having to avoid the webs through  the bush and crabs under foot.

Our 6 km walk took us along gentle slopes for most of the way but at one stage we ended up at a cross road.  We took the right hand fork which climbed a rather steep long hill.  The effort was not rewarded by a wonderful sight.  It ended at a rubbish dump on the side of the tar road!

My favourite memory of this walk will be coming across a bushy area and finding a treasure of feathers.  They were obviously from a kill of some sort and I imagine that they were all that remained of a Purple Crested Lourie.  The colours are magnificent.  Being an owner of a little Green Cheeked Conure I am amazed at the size of the feathers.  The Lourie must be a large bird.

A donation of R50 has been paid over to Empisini Nature Reserve this morning via electronic transfer as a donation from Toti Ramblers towards WESA who look after the reserve.

Welcome to New Members

Amy Thomas and her daughter Laura Konig, Tracey and Mike Hacking and Dawn Muir. 

We welcome you to the club and hope that you all enjoy your hiking.

Membership fees received:

Molly Smit, Elvira and Neil Harris.

NEXT OUTING ON THE 6^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

TREASURE BEACH WALK

The only walk that I did with Durban Ramblers was to Treasure Beach a few years ago and I thought it would be fun to do this as our next Ramble.  The walk is not that long – but there are something like 240 steps going down onto the beach and a like number at the half way mark if you are wanting a really interesting view of the area around you.  (Not compulsory).   But remember that there is only one way back to the parking area up the first lot of steps which have to be tackled at the end of the walk…

I think that it would be a good idea to take a costume and towel and sandals with you as there are a number of nice rock pools on the way.  If the weather permits a swim, that would be fun. 

Cost:  No cost other than money towards petrol should you accept a lift.

Directions:

Go towards the Bluff.  On Tara Road, turn Right into Highbury Road then right again into Nerissa Road.  This ends at a T junction in Marine Drive.  Turn left into Marine Drive and then right into Ipanema Avenue this becomes Treasure Beach Road.  Take Left fork into St Geran and continue to the parking area which has boom control at the end of the road.

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

Please note: With the hotter weather approaching we have decided to start our walk half an hour earlier.  So we will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:30 and 08:00 to organize the lift club – or meet inside the parking area at Treasure Beach at 08:30.

Empisine Nature Reserve

Toti Ramblers Nola Muller Toti Ramblers 401 Gordon House Gordon Road Amanzimtoti 4126 Fax:      086 656 2504 E mail: myhaven@skytec.co.za Cell: 084 415 8123 11 August 2009

Walking update…

UMDONI PARK…

13 People turned out for the Umdoni Park Ramble which took place in absolutely perfect weather.  The new section of the trail which we walked took us along the pipeline towards the sea and was interesting as it ran beside the river bed which was picturesque and fairly dry but I imagine could be spectacular in the rainy season.  We also passed a dam with a very substantial wall holding back the water, which we did not see on our previous excursion. 

We ended up doing about 6km but unfortunately my pedometer ceased to work close to the end – so there is no accurate distance to record.

After sitting in the shade of the trees, outside the Environmental centre, having our coffee and sandwiches a number of us continued on to the TC Robertson Nature Reserve to see the Arts display which was on show.  It was a nice ending to a perfect walk.

Welcome to the following new members:

Katjie Botha, Claire Hannington, Elvira and Neil Harris who joined us on the day.  We look forward to many happy hours rambling together.

NEXT OUTING ON THE 23rd AUGUST 2009 – EMPISINI NATURE RESERVE

One of our first walks was to the Empisini Nature Reserve where we had a lovely walk whilst encountering crab along the pathway leading into the reserve and plenty of spider webs while walking through the forest.  We have decided that a return to this spot is needed. 

For those who do not know anything about Empisini, it is situated on the South Coast 50 km south of Durban and 5 minutes from Umkomaas.  Looping through the coastal forest are several gentle hiking trails, demarcated picnic sites and overnight cabins.  Bird life is prolific.

Cost:

WESSA run this reserve and whilst there is no entrance fee at the gate, there is an honesty box on the site where a donation can be left.  I however have their banking details and will deposit R50 from our funds into their account for the day, as I did after our last outing there.

Directions:

Turn left towards Umkomaas and then left again towards Saiccor.  One Km further on turn left into Empisini.

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

Please note: With the hotter weather approaching we have decided to start our walk half an hour earlier.  So we will be meeting at Lords and Legends between 07:30 and 08:00 to organize the lift club – or meet inside the gates at Empisini at 08:30.

Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve

13 July 2009

Nola Muller

Toti Ramblers

401 Gordon House

Gordon Road

Amanzimtoti

4126

Walking update…

GIBA GORGE…

will be memorable for a number of reasons.  Firstly, I managed to get lost on the way to the Gorge which in turn made everyone set off later than anticipated.  I apologize.

Secondly, we experienced our first casualty – with Moira taking a tumble on one of the steep, slippery gravel paths (of which there were many).  Thanks to Stan who patched her up and got her back on her feet.  Miraculously we were close to the road and were able to organize a lift for her back to the paramedics at the Club House.  From there she was given a lift to Kingsway Hospital where 7 or 8 stitches were placed in the cut on the side of her face.  I have been in touch with her and she assures me that she has not been put off Rambling and will be back with the pack on the 26^th.  After this mishap I remember hearing one of the Ramblers saying, “Rambling is not for sissies” and I guess he was right! 

There were no new members to welcome and no Membership fees were taken.

NEXT OUTING ON THE 26th JULY 2009 – VERNON CROOKES NATURE RESERVE

The Vernon Crookes is a delightful and convenient reserve for travelers holidaying on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve lies just half an hour beyond Umzinto. The 2,189 hectare Reserve is a combination of open grassland and coastal forest, home to a range of wild animals plus more than 300 confirmed bird species.

Eland, zebra, blue wildebeest and bushbuck have been introduced into the reserve and roam freely.     There are two dams which attract a great variety of birdlife. The Vernon Crookes reserve is mainly open grassland of rolling hills with some wooded valleys. The wild flowers are a delight in the spring. 

Directions:

The turnoff to Vernon Crookes is well signposted from the N2 Highflats/Ixopo at the Park Rynie/Umzinto flyover. Follow the R612 inland, bypassing Umzinto, for about 12,5km. The turnoff to the reserve is on the right of the road and it is adequately signposted. Follow the gravel road, taking note of the signboards along this route, the main entrance is about 6km off the tar road.

There is an entrance fee at the gate – but at this stage am not sure of the amount. (R10 or R15)

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

As usual we will be meeting at Lords and Legends to organize the lift club between 08:00 and 08:30 – or will meet you at Vernon Crookes Gate at 09:00

Giba Gorge

30 June 2009

Nola Muller

Toti Ramblers

401 Gordon House

Gordon Road

Amanzimtoti

4126

Walking update…

KRANTZKLOOF NATURE RESERVE…

A remarkable turnout once again.  21 Ramblers arrived at Lords and Legends and made their way to Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.  The weather held for the entire walk, but on our return to the cars we were surprised by the cold wind that made us dive for jerseys and coats.  By the time we left it had turned into a howling gale and I, for one, was happy to be going home!

We did the Blue Route – a very comfortable 2.5 hour walk of nearly 4 kilometers, which was wonderful.  Most of it was alongside the river and the walk was one of the most picturesque that we have had so far.  On the return we opted to go straight back to the picnic area instead of continuing onto the Black Route; this we will do on another outing.

Welcome to Molly Smit, Opal Lawson, Pam Coleman and Helen Meredith.  We are delighted that you have decided to join the club and wish you many happy hours walking with us.

Membership fees were received from Hettie Oelofse, Marion Clerk and Meredith Helen.  Thanks.

NEXT OUTING ON THE 12 JULY 2009 - GIBA GORGE

Giba gorge is home to various habitats some of which have been recognised (at a national level) as significant for conservation purposes; these habitats are home to a large number of rare and endemic plant and animal species.

1.     Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi) – found near unpolluted forested streams.

2.      Spotted Shovel-nosed Frog (Hemisus guttatus) – found in grasslands.

3.     Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – breeds in gorge forest.

4.     Ruby-legged black millipede (Doratogonus rubipodus) – only ever recorded from Krantzkloof an

d Giba Gorge

 Giba Gorge comprises a significant portion of the upper reaches of the Umhlatuzana catchment – a system that originates near Giba and terminates near Durban Bay.

There are two vegetation types in Giba Gorge that are significant both locally and nationally:

a.) Scarp Forest – Giba Gorge is 1 of only 4 sites that contain significant portions of this forest type in the greater Durban area – the others are at Nanda Mountain in the north, Nungwane Falls in the south and Krantzkloof NR (the only site with formal protective status) in the outer west.

b.) KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld – this vegetation type comprises the upper slop

es of the grassland areas in the Giba Gorge. It is classified as an 'endangered' habitat in South Africa (SANBI) with over 70% of it having been transformed by other land uses in South Africa. This habitat is extremely rich in plant species – especially apparent after burns in spring.

Giba Gorge is home to the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter National Monument – preserving evidence of 100 000 years of human occupation (Gavin Whitelaw, Archeologist, Natal Museum). This site has enormous potential for education and tourism opportunities but in order for this to be achieved, the site will need strong conservation management.

I have spoken to the guide at Giba Gorge and he has given us two alternative walks which are recommended as being safe from Mountain Bike fanatics.   They are “Heartbreak Hill” and “The Old Waterfall Trail”.  We will decide which one to do on the day.

As usual we will be meeting at Lords and Legends to organize the lift club between 08:15 and 08:30 – or meet at the gates at Bluff Nature Reserve at 09:00.

Directions:

Approaching from the Durban area:

Travelling on the N3 north towards Pietermaritzburg

·         Take the Stockville Rd offramp (before the Mariannhill Toll Plaza)

·         Keep making a right turn till you double-back under the freeway.

·         Take the next right towards Stockville Quarry (dirt road).

·         Follow the dirt road for approx 3 kms

·         Just before the quarry (weighbridge office), make a short left turn.

·         Turn right towards the big thatched building — that’s where we will meet at 09:00.

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