Chairman’s Chat
In this issue you will see the results of our recent Members Survey. The results confirm what is happening and what we already know about our activities. However the most prominent matter was the request for more day hikes on Sundays. We will most certainly be looking into increasing these day hikes. With this in mind, would those who offered their services at the Social, please contact the Committee so that we can plan the way forward.
Regarding the Annual Christmas Party, we have heeded your requests and have dropped the dance format in favour of a Bring & Braai at the Buff’s Club. Salads and rolls will be provided by the BOAA and there will be a cash bar at Buff’s. There will be no cost for our members and visitors will be welcome. All we need is for you to put your name down at C U M so that we know how many to cater for or e-mail Amanda. The date is awaiting confirmation from Buff’s.
Also, looking at what members have requested, our next Social will be in the form of a Brunch Bring & Braai at the Nahoon River. The wood, champagne & orange juice will be provided by the Club. A short walk to the Estuary will take place beforehand. The initial date is set for Sunday 3rd September but if the weather is bad we will postpone for two weeks. Check below for the final dates and venue. It is important to put down your name at C U M for catering purposes or e-mail Amanda.
The Festivals also appear to be popular and if I get enough takers I will do the Hogsback Arts / Spring Festival ( This is an alternative to Hermanus due to conflicting dates), The Hermanus Whale Festival, and The Bedford Garden Festival. Accommodation is always in short supply at these events so the earlier you book at Cape Union Mart the better.
Soon I will be off to do a trip of a completely different nature - The Camino de Santiago which I will give a report on when I get back.
Regards,
Mervyn.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
| Description |
Date |
Leader/Organiser |
- Informal get-together at Buff’s: 18h00
|
16 August |
Amanda Benn |
|
|
26-28 August |
Greg Zeelie |
- Spring Champagne Bring and Braai Brunch
|
3 September |
Amanda Benn |
|
|
9 - 11 September |
Amanda Benn |
- Hermanus Whale Festival or Hogsback Spring/Arts Festival
|
29 Sep – 3 Oct |
Mervyn Gatcke |
- Informal get-together at Buff’s: 18h00
|
13 September |
Amanda Benn |
- Mountain View hiking trail
|
30 September - 3 October |
Barry Burmeister |
|
|
29-30 October |
Mervyn Gatcke |
| Advanced Notice: |
|
|
|
|
TBA |
TBA |
|
|
TBA |
TBA |
- Christmas Party Bring & Braai
|
November |
TBA |
DETAILS OF EVENTS:
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Friday 26 August to Sunday 28 August 2011
|
Double Mouth Weekender
|
12
|
Greg Zeelie
|
0731333963
|
Pp R110
Transport: +/- TBA
|
Tues 23 August 18h00 @ Buffs
|
|
Spend the weekend in lovely Double Mouth nature reserve, staying in the hikers hut.
Enjoy short walks to the Morgan Bay cliffs and Haga Haga
No facilities, so take everything except for the mattress and sink.
Camping can be done – contact the leader for costs.
|
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Saturday 3 September 2011 at 8h00
|
Spring Champagne ‘Bring and Braai’ Brunch
|
N/A
|
Amanda Benn
|
083 449 2995
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Come and celebrate spring. Enjoy a short walk to the Nahoon Estuary or just relax alongside the river.
Bring your own breakfast and camp chairs.
Fires or skottel to be provide (alternate date 17 September 2011 if weather doesn’t permit on 3 September)
Champagne and orange juice will be provided.
|
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Friday 9 Sep to Sunday 11 Sep 2011
|
Bosbokstrand Weekend
|
12 plus 2Xchalets
|
Amanda Benn
|
083 449 2995
|
R 215pp
Transport: +/- TBA
|
Tues 6 Sep
18h00 @ Buffs
|
|
Travel from East London towards Haga Haga, on approximately 20km gravel rd.
We will be staying in fully equipped chalets close to the beach.
Camping can be done @ R110-00 for weekend
Enjoy two days of beach walks towards Haga Haga and Cefani
|
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Thur 29 Sep to Mon 3 October 2011
|
Hermanus
Whale
Festival
|
-
|
Mervyn Gatcke
|
043 722 9388
|
+/-R 1 800
|
TBA
|
|
(Hogsback Spring/Arts Festival could be done as an alternative to this fixture. Please contact leader for more information)
This is a very interesting event with plenty to see and do.
Apart from whale watching there is a variety of Festival events.
Also, there are some very scenic day walks.
In view of the long travelling distance which is a 2000 km return trip I suggest that we depart on Thursday morning 29th September and return on Monday 3rd October. This will give us three full days at the Festival and make the long road trip more worthwhile.
Estimated costs per person are: 4 nights self catering accommodation @ R 250 = R 1000 plus estimated transport costs 2000 km @ 40cents = R 800. Giving a total of R 1 800. These costs could be reduced depending on what type of accommodation and vehicles will be finalised for the trip.
As it will be high season in Hermanus it can be expected that the accommodation will have to be paid upon reservation. Therefore those that are interested should pay an initial amount of
R 1000 before I can go ahead with reservations.
A booking sheet will be placed at CUM Vincent Park for this purpose.
Naturally the earlier we book the better it will be.
For more details contact me: Mervyn 043 722 9388
|
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Fri 30 Sep – Monday 3
October
2011
|
Mountain View Hiking Trail
|
6
|
Barry
Burmeister
|
083 561 0335
|
Trail: R270pp
Trans:
+/- R300
|
27 September Buffs Club 18h00
|
|
Leave on Friday 30 September, walk on the 1st 2nd and 3rd October. We will stay in the Yellow Wood Tree Camp and do three day walks, so only day packs are required.
- The Bushbuck Trail – 6 km Saturday
- The Leopards Loop – 12 km Sunday
- The Copper Mine 12km Monday
Mountain View is +- 20 kms from Rocklands (which is just outside PE). Mountain View borders the Groendal Wilderness area. I have never been to Mountain View previously but have spent a few days in the Groendal Wilderness area – it is spectacular, more forested than anything that I have seen along the Amatola Trail or even Hogsback. This hike is new to the club, so please join us. I have booked for 6 people but can take up to 12 people.
|
|
Date
|
Description
|
Places
|
Leader
|
Phone
|
Cost
|
Pre-Trail
|
|
Sat 29 Oct to Sun 30 October 2011
|
Bedford Garden Festival
|
-
|
Mervyn Gatcke
|
043 722 9388
|
+/-R160
|
-
|
|
This is a very popular annual show with a wonderful display of the gardens in the area. There are also some interesting short day walks.
I propose leaving early on Saturday morning 29th and returning on Sunday 30th October which should give us ample time in Bedford
The estimated costs per person are: one night self catering accommodation
R250 plus transport of R 160. A total of R 410.
The accommodation cost of R 250 will need to be paid upon booking and therefore a booking sheet will be placed at CUM Vincent Park for those who are interested.
Contact me for more details: Mervyn 043 722 9388
|
BOOKING OF HIKES, TRAILS AND EVENTS:
- All Bookings to be made now at Cape Union Mart, VINCENT PARK, unless otherwise stated. These are done, very obligingly, at no cost to the Club.
- Members take preference over visitors. Please do not put your name down on the list unless you have paid. No post-dated cheques please.
- Should you want to join any of the events that are listed below and they are full, then please place your name on the waiting list and/or discuss with the Leader.
- Please do not request refunds from Cape Union Mart, or make enquiries and bookings over the telephone.
- All enquiries must be made with the leaders of the trails.
- Members wanting to find a replacement for themselves, must offer their place to the first person on the waiting list.
- Members take preference over visitors. Payment for this is between the member and whoever the replacement is. Replacements must communicate solely with the person they are replacing to prevent any miscommunication. Sometimes there is the opportunity for you to set up a second group - please discuss with Leader
DIRECT BANK PAYMENTS
When making a direct bank payment (electronically or by deposit slip) please give your full name as the reference. This is of paramount importance in identifying the member when the bank statement is received. Banking details: Absa Bank, Branch: Frere Square, Vincent, Code: 630121
Acc No: 071 236 6893.
Transport Fees:
The recommended fee is 40 cents per kilometer per passenger. This is only a guideline and it is up to you to decide whether to charge more or less. The type of vehicle and the terrain will have a bearing on the actual amount charged. To avoid confusion please set the transport fee prior to the trip and pay the driver in advance.
CLUB SOCIALS
The Club generally has an informal social on the second Tuesday of every month at 18:00 at the Buff Club. This is the ideal opportunity to meet fellow hikers. The next meeting dates are: 16 August and 13 September. Hope to see you there.
MEMBERSHIP FEES:
Single: |
R 100
|
|
Family:
|
R 100
|
|
Scholars:
|
R 50
|
|
Affiliates:
|
R 100
|
|
Associates:
|
R 200
|
Fees are calculated per quarter for new members who join during the year.
TRAIL REPORTS:
Grahamstown – National Arts Festival – 30 June to 3 July 2011
Leader: Mervyn Gatcke
Festinos: Amanda Benn, Anne Baker, Chris Cruywagen, Barry Gibb, Brian Philip,
Jenni Posthumus, Linda Smith, Vincent & Audrey Voltz.
To put it mildly this was one of the coldest Festivals ever but at least the big rains only got going after we had left for home. Still, the weather did not dampen our enjoyment.
So what is the attraction of the Festival that gets us going back year after year?
Well a lot of people think that it is one big “flea market” and of course there is a lot of stuff for sale if that is what you want. But the other side of the coin is that this year there were over 600 productions with over 2000 shows which make it the third largest festival of its type in the world. There are local and international artists from the very greenest of amateurs to the best professionals in the business, with shows from the lowbrow to the highbrow. Another advantage is that the ticket prices are very reasonable – you can see a top class ballet for only R 75! Add into the mix the art galleries, buskers and restaurants and it is one very entertaining experience.
Make a note for next year – you will not be disappointed!
Mervyn.
Trail Report – Hogsback “Christmas In July “22 to 23 July, 2011
Father Christmas:
Mervyn Gatcke
Elves:
Roy & Eireen Langford, Marion Bowden, Anne Baker, Vivian Staffen, Jenni Posthumus, Brian Philip, Dave & Barbara Homann, Barry Gibb, Barry Burmeister,
Most of us were hoping for snow to really set the scene but it only arrived on the Sunday night. So we had wonderful weather on the Saturday & Sunday. This gave us the opportunity to walk to the Kettlespout and Swallowtail Falls. Even though the boardwalks are in a very poor state the many forest trails are in a fair walking condition. Due to the recent heavy rains the streams were full with water and the waterfalls were in full swing.
On Friday night we were entertained by a choir from Stutterheim and the Hai Man a one band with a cello. Later on it was supper at the King’s Lodge with jokes, gluhwein, jokes, OB sherry and a warm fire. On the Saturday we browsed the stalls at the village green and bought some good bargains. Dave & Linda Marais were at their stall selling jewellery and promoting hiking which included our Club’s activities. The rugby fans found a pub with a big screen for the big match, whilst the others visited the Candle Factory and St. Patrick’s Chapel On- The-Hill which had been fully restored after the fire. That night is was time for our traditional Christmas Dinner at the Hogsback Inn and what a wonderful meal. It was enhanced by the “Golden Oldies” played by Jill Stewart of radio fame. Our dance troupe, not content with their dancing at the Inn, then went on for some more dancing at the Lodge! And they were the ones that had been complaining about their knees during the days hiking! On Sunday, after the morning hike, we invaded the Inn once again for the Viennese Cake & Coffee and just to top it up we stayed for lunch!
Needless to say, this is a wonderful festival right in our back yard, and I for one, will be back next year. Mervyn.
Trail Report: The Berg 2011
2 Lanarth Ave
Bonza Bay
East London
BOAA
East London
11 – 06 – 2011
Dear Members
I have been a member or a number of years now and haven’t contributed much to date.
Some friends organize an annual hike in the Drakensberg each year during the month of May when it’s cooler and drier. They’ve been doing this for about 8 years now.
May 2010 I was invited to join this group and this was to be my first hike in the Berg at the tender age of 49. We hiked in the Injasuthi area. We started in the camp site and hiked to the top of Leslies pass on the first day. Very tough! One of the hikers, Dave seized up about 300m from the top. Malcolm, a GP , stayed with him while the rest of us made our way to the top. Three of us set up camp, got food going while three went back down. There they shared out Daves pack, gave him a hot drink and then made their way to the top.
As a virgin “Bergie “ I was quite surprised to find how tough it was and how I suffered with the high altitude.
After a good nights sleep (thank God for sleeping tabs) , all awoke ready for the next day. I was amazed to find how we had all recovered and felt surprisingly strong. We hiked along the watershed to Corner Pass. Time and again I was struck by the beauty of the Berg. We even met some Basotho herdsmen with who we shared our lunch. These friendly, tough men and their dogs amazed me. There we were, kitted out in our latest hi tech gear and these men in their gumboots and blankets walking with us chatting away while I breathlessly attempted to keep up. We even met some Basotho “businessmen “ with their wares on their way to South Africa to trade!
Going down Corner Pass was more scary than going up Leslies! Wet and icy conditions made for some very careful climbing. We camped the night at the base of Corner Pass.
Again, beautiful scenery, Eland, Rhebuck and Baboon keeping us company.
The next day was back to the Injasuthi camp for a shower and lunch. A very special hike for my first time in the Berg. Traveling back in the bus, talk was already about Berg 2011 and to try something different.
Yours in Hiking Mike Smit