Hi Everyone,
Today we walked part of the land originally granted to Johann Andriesz who was commonly known as Jan de Jonker, hence the Jonkers part of the name Jonkershoek (Jonker's corner). When he died in 1688, his property passed on to a free black slave and neighbour, Jan of Ceylon. He owned it until 1701 and it was granted to Anna Hoeks (where I presume the the second part of the name Jonkershoek originates from. Anna, at a stage, owned all but one of the concessions in Jonkershoek. Let it not be said that Stellenbosch has always been male chauvinist.
The reason for the brief history reference is that Jonkershoek is THE favourite mountain biking destination in Stellenbosch. It also hosts many other attractions, among them lovely self-catering cottages surrounded by meadows inhabited by horses, super wine estates, good walking paths and clear mountain streams. At the origin of one of these streams lies the Second Waterfall (for some reason its name has not progressed beyond the numerical!) Perhaps this is because the other waterfall along the same path is named the First Waterfall. These waterfalls are not anything like the Augrabies (see post: http://expectmeagain.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-place-of-great-noise.html) or those in Mpumalanga (see post: http://expectmeagain.blogspot.com/2014/03/mpumalanga-near-kruger-national-park.html), but they are within walking distance from our home, so they hold a special attraction for us.
My youngest son (that's him up there), insisted that we visit the second waterfall on 22/06/2014 (the "Today" referred to above). I've never seen him this enthusiastic about a nature walk and agreed, partly not to dampen his spirits. I found out later that his "enthusiasm" developed in part because he's been promising some friends that we'll visit the reserve a very long time ago and that peer pressure was the main instigator. That said, it was a balmy morning when we set out from home.
Our Belgian visitor's first concern was snakes and my son was quick to point out that the mountains around Stellenbosch have a fair supply of puff adders - not a comforting thought! I consoled myself with the presumed inactivity of snakes this time of the year.
At the gate to the reserve we each paid R40,00 and were on our way - if you have a Wild Card, you pay substantially less at all the participating nature reserves in the country! Makes a lot of sense for people who visit nature reserves often.
I was not really looking forward to struggling up the steep walk near the Second Waterfall as a result of my limited aerobic fitness. I have this theory that because I was a premature baby (7 months), my lungs never fully developed and although I tried to make up for this by training seriously for middle and long-distance running as a youth, I simply could not hack the big-time. Now in my middle age, my lower than normal aerobic fitness levels are back to haunt me. Truth be told however, I have not been assiduous about my aerobic training and rely on squash to keep my fitness levels going.
Anyway, we made our way up the single track path from where the marker indicated and the walk was immediately invigorating. The soothing gurgling sounds of a nearby stream accompanies the walker on the trail with every step and makes one realize the wonderful integration of nature and its calming effect on the human psyche.
Although we have just passed the winter solistice, the warm African sun tends to fool some flowers into premature budding. This means quite a bit of pollen in the air - in fact Stellenbosch outdoors is not recommended for the sufferers of hay fever, the pollen count being consistently among the highest in our beautiful country.
We walked up the trail, and for the first time among my many prior traverses, the path was filled with ankle deep water at some level junctures.
Once we got to higher ground, we could walk without worrying about puddles. The Jonkershoek Valley, that far up, displays fantastic colour variations between the enveloping hills. Unfortunately, we did not have the best cameras for the job and our pics look ordinary. Also, once we got to the drop zone of the waterfall, the water stream was bathed in sunlight while the surrounds were gloomy. My camera could simply not handle the contrast, resulting in overexposure of the lighted areas and a lack of detail, which is a shame.
We made it up the steepest part of the walk and I caught up with a resting gentleman of a similar age to mine. He stood there smiling while I resembled a steam train engine of yesteryear. In a little Eastern Cape town of Dordrecht there used to be quite a climb as the steam trains tried to haul cargo towards Sterkstroom. Many times the engines could not build up enough momentum to crest the little hill and they would wheeze, hoot, blow billows of steam. I felt like one of those steam engines when I reached my well-rested friend.
To get to the "drop zone" of the second waterfall one has to wade through the stream and over boulders and smaller loose rocks. It requires a bit of goat-like surefootedness and simian agility and, as a result, was pretty exciting. Partly, because one could end up in an icy stream of water boots and all and also because you are keeping an eye of others would could provide similar but more enjoyable entertainment. No-one was in a mood to supply free comedy to the others, so we all made it there pretty nicely. Our Belgian companion decided to put her feet in the puddle that formed at the "drop zone".
On previous occasions albeit during summer I've also been similarly overzealous, so I watched with interest as she stepped into the clear light-brown water. The young lady, although she originates from colder climes did not last long in the puddle - 30 seconds by my reckoning. After a record was taken of her Costa Rican-like bravery, she spend the rest of the time sitting on a log rubbing some heat into her feet. I must admit that I did not feel any empathy :-).
Let it also be known that no-one else was brave enough to follow her example.
Once we had "conquered" the Second Waterfall, the trek home began because we were all smelling the faraway lunch offered with love by the Good Wife, who stayed home on this occasion.
By common desire we missed out on a visit to the First Waterfall and head straight for the fleshpots of Klapperbos Close.
On the way back, we rested briefly at the foot of the steepest portion of the walk and just above us the light over the mountain crest formed a fantastic rainbow which none of our cameras were able to capture. This was one of the great visual highlights of our trip.
I left the reserve with some regret and we made it home without further incident.
The bonus for me was taking some fresh water from a stream high up and drinking the sweet natural nectar at home - really refreshing!
Keep travelling people and keep safe.
Today we walked part of the land originally granted to Johann Andriesz who was commonly known as Jan de Jonker, hence the Jonkers part of the name Jonkershoek (Jonker's corner). When he died in 1688, his property passed on to a free black slave and neighbour, Jan of Ceylon. He owned it until 1701 and it was granted to Anna Hoeks (where I presume the the second part of the name Jonkershoek originates from. Anna, at a stage, owned all but one of the concessions in Jonkershoek. Let it not be said that Stellenbosch has always been male chauvinist.
The reason for the brief history reference is that Jonkershoek is THE favourite mountain biking destination in Stellenbosch. It also hosts many other attractions, among them lovely self-catering cottages surrounded by meadows inhabited by horses, super wine estates, good walking paths and clear mountain streams. At the origin of one of these streams lies the Second Waterfall (for some reason its name has not progressed beyond the numerical!) Perhaps this is because the other waterfall along the same path is named the First Waterfall. These waterfalls are not anything like the Augrabies (see post: http://expectmeagain.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-place-of-great-noise.html) or those in Mpumalanga (see post: http://expectmeagain.blogspot.com/2014/03/mpumalanga-near-kruger-national-park.html), but they are within walking distance from our home, so they hold a special attraction for us.
My youngest son (that's him up there), insisted that we visit the second waterfall on 22/06/2014 (the "Today" referred to above). I've never seen him this enthusiastic about a nature walk and agreed, partly not to dampen his spirits. I found out later that his "enthusiasm" developed in part because he's been promising some friends that we'll visit the reserve a very long time ago and that peer pressure was the main instigator. That said, it was a balmy morning when we set out from home.
 |
| Welcome to my world! |
Our Belgian visitor's first concern was snakes and my son was quick to point out that the mountains around Stellenbosch have a fair supply of puff adders - not a comforting thought! I consoled myself with the presumed inactivity of snakes this time of the year.
At the gate to the reserve we each paid R40,00 and were on our way - if you have a Wild Card, you pay substantially less at all the participating nature reserves in the country! Makes a lot of sense for people who visit nature reserves often.
I was not really looking forward to struggling up the steep walk near the Second Waterfall as a result of my limited aerobic fitness. I have this theory that because I was a premature baby (7 months), my lungs never fully developed and although I tried to make up for this by training seriously for middle and long-distance running as a youth, I simply could not hack the big-time. Now in my middle age, my lower than normal aerobic fitness levels are back to haunt me. Truth be told however, I have not been assiduous about my aerobic training and rely on squash to keep my fitness levels going.
 |
| Aerobic fitness xa! |
Anyway, we made our way up the single track path from where the marker indicated and the walk was immediately invigorating. The soothing gurgling sounds of a nearby stream accompanies the walker on the trail with every step and makes one realize the wonderful integration of nature and its calming effect on the human psyche.
Although we have just passed the winter solistice, the warm African sun tends to fool some flowers into premature budding. This means quite a bit of pollen in the air - in fact Stellenbosch outdoors is not recommended for the sufferers of hay fever, the pollen count being consistently among the highest in our beautiful country.
We walked up the trail, and for the first time among my many prior traverses, the path was filled with ankle deep water at some level junctures.
Once we got to higher ground, we could walk without worrying about puddles. The Jonkershoek Valley, that far up, displays fantastic colour variations between the enveloping hills. Unfortunately, we did not have the best cameras for the job and our pics look ordinary. Also, once we got to the drop zone of the waterfall, the water stream was bathed in sunlight while the surrounds were gloomy. My camera could simply not handle the contrast, resulting in overexposure of the lighted areas and a lack of detail, which is a shame.
 |
| Road long, spirits high! |
We made it up the steepest part of the walk and I caught up with a resting gentleman of a similar age to mine. He stood there smiling while I resembled a steam train engine of yesteryear. In a little Eastern Cape town of Dordrecht there used to be quite a climb as the steam trains tried to haul cargo towards Sterkstroom. Many times the engines could not build up enough momentum to crest the little hill and they would wheeze, hoot, blow billows of steam. I felt like one of those steam engines when I reached my well-rested friend.
To get to the "drop zone" of the second waterfall one has to wade through the stream and over boulders and smaller loose rocks. It requires a bit of goat-like surefootedness and simian agility and, as a result, was pretty exciting. Partly, because one could end up in an icy stream of water boots and all and also because you are keeping an eye of others would could provide similar but more enjoyable entertainment. No-one was in a mood to supply free comedy to the others, so we all made it there pretty nicely. Our Belgian companion decided to put her feet in the puddle that formed at the "drop zone".
 |
| Magical place for all |
On previous occasions albeit during summer I've also been similarly overzealous, so I watched with interest as she stepped into the clear light-brown water. The young lady, although she originates from colder climes did not last long in the puddle - 30 seconds by my reckoning. After a record was taken of her Costa Rican-like bravery, she spend the rest of the time sitting on a log rubbing some heat into her feet. I must admit that I did not feel any empathy :-).
 |
| Cold feet, brave girl |
Let it also be known that no-one else was brave enough to follow her example.
Once we had "conquered" the Second Waterfall, the trek home began because we were all smelling the faraway lunch offered with love by the Good Wife, who stayed home on this occasion.
By common desire we missed out on a visit to the First Waterfall and head straight for the fleshpots of Klapperbos Close.
On the way back, we rested briefly at the foot of the steepest portion of the walk and just above us the light over the mountain crest formed a fantastic rainbow which none of our cameras were able to capture. This was one of the great visual highlights of our trip.
 |
| With the naked eye, the rainbow was there. Still a stunning pic though! |
I left the reserve with some regret and we made it home without further incident.
The bonus for me was taking some fresh water from a stream high up and drinking the sweet natural nectar at home - really refreshing!
Keep travelling people and keep safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment