River Romp

Day 3 in beautifull knysna dawned and once again we were treated by the most beautifull birdsong. After Breakfast we prepared for the day's hike. :)

We dicided to do the river walk recommended by our very kind hosts here at Teniqua.

The hike is only about 4km long. The route is clearly marked and very easy.

The hike starts with a steap downhill towards the river. The ground under feet was soft with recent rain and I was quite happy to make use of the guide-rope on some of the steeper sections along the way.

We once again saw lots of mushrooms. I tried not to photograph them all. :)

All the way we heard birds chirping, flapping and calling. We looked up... We looked forward and back...  We looker right and left... BUT we could see not a single one!!
F R U S T R A T I O N ! !

We reached the river and took a moment to take in the view. After a brief rest we started looking for a good place to cross. 

Let me just say that I have never been any good at crossing rivers. My legs are to short, my feet to small and many, many falls have lead to my confidence being non-existant.  This particular river was no exception. I landed bum first in the water! Then my bum was lower than my feet so getting up from my watery thrown turned out to be quite a struggle! Eventually I crawled from the ancle deep water drenched to the waist!

S, bless his saul took all of this in with a very straight face!

Lucky for me the sun was out and my lightweight pants (exprerience has taught me a lot) took no time at all in drying out.

Circles in the Forest part 3

Dalene Matthee says in her books that this forest is a living entity. It can be a cruel and unforgiving place but it can also be loving, caring and kind.

As you moove deaper and deaper into the shadowy depths you get the distinct feeling that you are being watched, followed even. The forest surrounding you exponentially expands. It feels like you are shrinking with every passing step. Eventually you feel like you have reached Tom Thumb like proportions.

We was many great things. Trees as old as time. We also saw many small things. Fragile and delicate.

The route is clearly marked from start to finish. The new markers say Circles in the Forest, the old ones proclaim Woodcutters Trail.

The trail lead us all the wat to the river. We crossed the cristal clear water and explored a large pool up stream. Unfortunatelly we did not bring stuff to swim in but next time we will most definatelly take a dip in the surely ice cold stream.

All to soon the path started turning and merged once more with the access road. :(

Circles in the Forest Part2

The Outeniqua forest is a special place. The cool forest floor begged me to kick off my shoes.

Every tree is an ecosystem! So many organisms living together, helping one another with one common goal. This tree grew around and over the ant hill. Or was the tree there first? Impossible to tell its a chicken or egg kind of a situation I suppose! :)

The path is very well maintained, with slippery when wet warnings and small bridges to help you cross difficult terrain.

The water here is cool, fresh and o so sweet.

The giant mountain ferns cover the ground like a green carpet. Somewhere in this forest wild elephants are eating the tops of these ferns. (one of their favourite kinds of food.) In the deep-green depths of the Knysna forest lives the last, tiny remnant of the once great herds of Cape bush elephant. Of the original group just one female remains, though three elephants where recently brought in from the Kruger National park.

These big grey ghosts are seldom seen. We did see relatively fresh elephant dung. It was kind of scary to think that we might round the next corner and find a HUGE African elephant blocking our way.

 In 1876 it was estimated that between 400 and 500 giants roamed the forests of Knysna. The numbers declined partly due to poaching and ivory smuggling. In 1908 when the elephants were declared royal game only 20 were counted.

There are many ancient trees in this forest! Fathers, Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers. The bark of the Podocarpus Africana is rugged and home to many creatures. :)

You can only guess at their age and at what they have 'seen' in their lifetime.

After a quick foto session with another giant we continued the hike.

Circles in the Forest

Circles in the forest is the official name for this hike. It is named after a novel about the Knysna forest written by Dalene Matthee. (one of the true great Afrikaans novels.) It is also called the old woodcutters trail.

Distance:  9km
Duration:  3hours
Difficulty:  Easy
Permits:  A permit can be obtained at the boom when you enter the forest. The cost is R17 for an adult. If the boom is unmanned a self issue permit applies.

The hike starts at the grave of Dalene Matthee.

'...between man and the forest lies but a thin veil. Like a cobweb. Like an invisible mist through which you can see if you can open your eyes wide enough..."

Over the gravestone a huge Kalander casts its shadow. Its branches protecting thes guardian of the forest. (Kalander a.k.a Outeniqua Yellowood/ Podokarpus Africana.)

"...like a mighty king it stood towering above the white alder and mountain saffron, stinkwood, assegaai and hard pear. As if God had planted it long before the others. Its giant root anchored it to the ground like giant arms..."

I almost cannot believe that this tree has stood in this exact spot for 880 years!!! Here I can touch history, who else over they years has sat it its shade, how many people have gazed up at the sky through its leafy branches?

Before we started on our hike we made a quick visit to the facilities. :)

After that it was time to start the hike...

You almost feel like you have to enter this forest on tip-toe. As a child I have read all Dalene's stories about this place and its people. Now that I am here as a adult I feel almost part of it in some special way.

Soon after we went through the gates we turned off the access road and entered the forest.

The branches closed in on us and the shadowy coldness of the forest canopy embraced us. The soil underneath our feet felt soft and fertile. The air smelled brand new, not like our city air. Not used and discarded. Not contaminated and abused by human carelessness. This air was fresh straight from the photosynthesis factory surrounding us.

There were so many things to look at! I am sure we did not even see a third of what was there.