STADSAAL ROCKS - CEDERBERG WILDERNESS
Stadsaal close to sunset - height of summer.
If only these rocks could talk, what a rich history they could unfold.
Showing posts with label Sanddrif. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sanddrif. Show all posts
A WALK UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THE MALTESE CROSS IS REWARDING
Even if the weather is threatening, you can expect a 4 - 5 hour turnaround on this hike, which rewards hikers with incredible views and the chance to have a snack on the leeward side of the most incredible weather-eroded rock formation: the Maltese Cross. This happens on the slopes of Sneeuberg, so expect the dramatic scenery.
Here, Adam Henman, conjures up a storm ... Gandalf-style.
Here, Adam Henman, conjures up a storm ... Gandalf-style.
Ons Huisie Sanddrif - a makeover of a house full of heritage
The Niewoudt family recently re-fitted Ons Huise, an early farmhouse on the farm Sanddrif, now a famous tourist resort and base for rock climbers.
Home to the Leipoldt family a long time ago, pre-dating the Nieuwoudt ownership of the farm, Ons Huisie now looks like this:
To the left is a comfortable braai area and recently a pergola was introduced and planted with a grapevine.
And here are our guests, the Griffiths family (no relative) from the States, former South Africans.
Home to the Leipoldt family a long time ago, pre-dating the Nieuwoudt ownership of the farm, Ons Huisie now looks like this:
To the left is a comfortable braai area and recently a pergola was introduced and planted with a grapevine.
And here are our guests, the Griffiths family (no relative) from the States, former South Africans.
Easter in the Cederberg - always a very popular time
So, first begging the followers' forgiveness for not having posted in such a long time.But I thought to share with you an absolutely exclusive annual happening in the heartland of the Cederberg, South Africa. Repeated annually. The Easter period is a very devout and beloved period for all South Africans, but a very important thing takes place in the centre of all the universe, the Dwarsrivier Farm and Cederberg Private Cellar.
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Now that I've got your attention, let me tell you about the Easter phenomenon.
The Cederberg experiences cold weather much earlier than other places in the Cape, so always come prepared for chilly nights.
But it is the Saturday gathering at the Cederberg Cellar Tasting Room that gets top prize. Tens of wine 'tasters' crammed into the new cellar tasting room (as in built in the past four years) to enjoy David Nieuwoudt's great hospitality towards visitors.
Cederberg - centre of the universe - metaphorical and real.
If you LIKE this post - please SHARE IT!
Now that I've got your attention, let me tell you about the Easter phenomenon.
The Cederberg experiences cold weather much earlier than other places in the Cape, so always come prepared for chilly nights.
But it is the Saturday gathering at the Cederberg Cellar Tasting Room that gets top prize. Tens of wine 'tasters' crammed into the new cellar tasting room (as in built in the past four years) to enjoy David Nieuwoudt's great hospitality towards visitors.
Unknown guest with tok-tokkie dung beetle t-shirt scollying a free glass of vino. David in the background.
So the rest of these pics share the story further.
Alessandro (Alex) Nel, ace white wine maker and assistant wine maker at Cederberg.
Now the 'GLUP' that Alex is sharing is made in Chile, just south of Santiago. David and his fellow Cederberg winemakers are consultants to and winemakers for Longavi Wines, Maule Valley. Chile. The Longavi is a tributary of the Maule River. Surprise, surprise! It is the Longavi GLUP Chenin Blanc that Alex is sharing with us, made in a style to interest and attract the younger wine drinkers.
The absolute top, top, top Shiraz 2016 winner of lots of glitz.
I just expressed an opinion in the photo above, but each wine lover will have their own opinion. My opinion is that David's shiraz is rivalled only by some of those cultivar shirazes that come from the Elim/Agulhas region. Cool climates, all, but without the drop in alcohol content seen in some other cooler countries.
Here I am with the winemaker, David Nieuwoudt, someone I am proud to have known since before he studied his profession.
David believes it all starts in the vineyards, and having toured around there, I agree!
The Nieuwoudts practice sustainable framing practices and one only has to experience the rugged remoteness of this area of the Cape to understand the how and the why.
But most of all the family remain friendly approachable, including the large extended family.
In this photo, General Napoleon, referred to as Nappies, another Cederberg legend, poses with Hanri Brits, the wife of David's nephew, Pieter. It is usual to bump into various family members at the legendary Easter Saturday wine tastings. Nappies is a serious guard dog and scarer away of baboons. 😉
So another famous Easter happened again this year. More news shortly (I promise!).
CHEERS!
CULTURAL HERITAGE PHOTOS - SANDDRIF
A long time ago, Brian Walsh was the district forest officer for the Cederberg Region during the days when National Department Bosbou owned and controlled the forestry in Algeria, the mountain routes and campsites, prior to the takeover by Cape Nature.
Brian was an avid promoter of tourism and helped set up a number of forest campsites, including Algeria. His son Neville, a close friend of mine, introduced me to the Cederberg in 1982 when I first visited Dwarsrivier/Sanddrif on a trip he organised. Brian also set up Tokai Forest picnic area and well known Tweede Tol campsite above Wellington/Bains' Kloof.
He recently shared a few of Brian's photos with me, which included the following two historical images from the 1960s.
I believe they show the Kleinhuis (On Huisie today) and Groothuis on Sanddrif.
Here are the scan's of Brian Walsh's original black and white photos:
They are amazing records of the cultural history and architecture of the area.
Photos are copyright the Heirs late Brian Walsh - curated by Gareth Griffiths.
Brian was an avid promoter of tourism and helped set up a number of forest campsites, including Algeria. His son Neville, a close friend of mine, introduced me to the Cederberg in 1982 when I first visited Dwarsrivier/Sanddrif on a trip he organised. Brian also set up Tokai Forest picnic area and well known Tweede Tol campsite above Wellington/Bains' Kloof.
He recently shared a few of Brian's photos with me, which included the following two historical images from the 1960s.
I believe they show the Kleinhuis (On Huisie today) and Groothuis on Sanddrif.
Here are the scan's of Brian Walsh's original black and white photos:
They are amazing records of the cultural history and architecture of the area.
I believe this may be the 'Klein Huis' farm Sanddrif. (Today's One Huisie)
Possibly the back of the 'Groothuis' farm Sanddrif.
Photos are copyright the Heirs late Brian Walsh - curated by Gareth Griffiths.
The Night of a Hundred Million Stars
Who needs Hollywood? In the Cederberg you can view far more stars and on a dark night they twinkle across the ages at the viewer.
This photo taken at the legendary Sanddrif December 2016.
Can't wait for my next visit.
This photo taken at the legendary Sanddrif December 2016.
Can't wait for my next visit.
Playing the Moon Toon
The Cederberg is one of the best places to play and photograph at Full Moon. Here, check it out ... The soft orb that is the moon gently rises over a windswept mountain landscape
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Cederberg Private Cellar - News on the famous wines
Always something new at Cederberg Wines.
During my recent trip I had the privilege of tasting some of David Nieuwoudt's latest vintages, ably assisted by Alex and Tammy Nel. What a blast.
Here are my great friends, Julian and Simone Ardagh, enjoying a late afternoon tasting with Alex. Alex is responsible for the white wines from Cederberg, Ghost Corner in Elim and also assists with Longavi Wines, which come from vineyards near Santiago in Chili.
Lappies (below) is Cisca Nieuwoudt's (really) big farm dog, known for his keen nose in selecting which Cabernet Sauvignon should go into the famous Five Generations Cabernet. Here he looks keenly in the direction of the vineyard, from where opportunity calls.
Here's a review of my current favourite: Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2015. (click on name).
I'll cover the latest developments at the winery and also the brewery in the next post.
During my recent trip I had the privilege of tasting some of David Nieuwoudt's latest vintages, ably assisted by Alex and Tammy Nel. What a blast.
Here are my great friends, Julian and Simone Ardagh, enjoying a late afternoon tasting with Alex. Alex is responsible for the white wines from Cederberg, Ghost Corner in Elim and also assists with Longavi Wines, which come from vineyards near Santiago in Chili.
Lappies (below) is Cisca Nieuwoudt's (really) big farm dog, known for his keen nose in selecting which Cabernet Sauvignon should go into the famous Five Generations Cabernet. Here he looks keenly in the direction of the vineyard, from where opportunity calls.
Here's a review of my current favourite: Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2015. (click on name).
I'll cover the latest developments at the winery and also the brewery in the next post.
New Life in the Cederberg 2017
Thankfully, some areas are showing their colours - the photo below was taken under Uitrus cottage and shows the famous March Lily (Amaryllis belladonna) that appears after the fire. There were just 3 of these!
The Cederberg Visited - After the December 2016 Fire
The best way to follow up is to go there in person - I did exactly this during my annual Easter holiday visit.
All in all, the landscape remains dry, scorched and grey. Here and there, a sign of new life, for example at the top of the Driehoek River Valley, where the fire blazed down to from its origins higher up.
However, further East along the valley, the earth remains dry and grey.
At the Sanddrif campsite, the hardworking Nieuwoudt family have made the best of the situation by clearing all the burned vegetation along the river bank and creating a wonderful recreation area, which gives the resort a new feeling of openness.
However, walking in the direction of the Maalgat trail, the devastation of the fire is noticeable in the North-east, below the Valley of the Red Gods.
Green grass sprouts where the fire burned the hottest.
All in all, the landscape remains dry, scorched and grey. Here and there, a sign of new life, for example at the top of the Driehoek River Valley, where the fire blazed down to from its origins higher up.
At the Sanddrif campsite, the hardworking Nieuwoudt family have made the best of the situation by clearing all the burned vegetation along the river bank and creating a wonderful recreation area, which gives the resort a new feeling of openness.
Above and below: Thanks to some clever landscaping, the resort with its campsite is looking great.
However, walking in the direction of the Maalgat trail, the devastation of the fire is noticeable in the North-east, below the Valley of the Red Gods.
Above and below: These two young baboons did not make it to safety - consumed by the fire, it seems they died clutching each other. Blackened skeletons are all that remain.
Below: A memorial to someone's loved one, exposed by the fire when the bush burned around it.
However, the fire was selective.
Above and below: Thanks be - the famous One Huisie was spared, with its thatch roof, including most of the ancient Oak trees around it. One Huisie is the former farmhouse of the parents of C Louis Leipoldt in a bygone century.
Thankfully, the popular stone pine 'forest' at the Maalgat parking area survived (below).
Above is what the 'beach' looks like now, near the crossing.
The Story of the December 2016 Fire
It started with a puff of smoke - and some haziness in the North - that was to grow more intense each day. This was exacerbated by extreme heat and a fierce wind speed.
The puff of smoke was dismissed by some as a 'fire near Eselbank' (a small settlement over the top of the mountain). However two days on, the Wolfberg side of the mountain was closed to hikers and mountaineers as a precautionary measure.)
Fire arrives at Sanddrif
An unexpected change in the wind and the fire split into at least 3 different fronts.
At this stage, the Working on Fire team responded to the emergency call and dispatched two helicopters accompanied by the fixed wind spotter plane. Fantastic assistance also came from the neighbouring farms, notably Driehoek, all members of the Cederberg Conservancy. Cape Nature was also supporting the fire fighters.
One front continued to burn up the Wolfberg and engulfed the world famous Wolfberg Cracks at lighting pace.
Another front burned along the Jeep Track, passing the Shale Band and converging with the third front near the Valley of the Red Gods.
The third front burned along the Driehoek River, crossing the river with impunity near to the former Landsdiens Camp, now called Rietgat.
At this stage, guests at Sanddrif started to evacuate.
At this stage, the Working on Fire team responded to the emergency call and dispatched two helicopters accompanied by the fixed wind spotter plane. Fantastic assistance also came from the neighbouring farms, notably Driehoek, all members of the Cederberg Conservancy. Cape Nature was also supporting the fire fighters.
Working on Fire - at work in the Cederberg - Dwarsrivier and Sanddrif
One front continued to burn up the Wolfberg and engulfed the world famous Wolfberg Cracks at lighting pace.
Another front burned along the Jeep Track, passing the Shale Band and converging with the third front near the Valley of the Red Gods.
The fire along the Jeep Track climbs the hill and threatens the Sanddrif campsite below.
The third front burned along the Driehoek River, crossing the river with impunity near to the former Landsdiens Camp, now called Rietgat.
The fire approaching the river in the direction of Rietgat. Prime Sanddrif cottage accommodation lies in its path.
Burning a path down towards Sanddrif accommodation from the Valley of the Red Gods
Threatening the legendary 'Dollie se Huis' accommodation unit
At this stage, guests at Sanddrif started to evacuate.
The Aftermath on the Farm
Refueling near the main farm.
Contemplating.
View down on Jassie. Some big oaks survive!
The Fire Rages On
Much of the defensive action against the fire took place around the Planets cottages.
David Nieuwoudt runs towards Mars to assist the workers fighting the fire.
Out of control above the river, the fire rages towards Lapa.
A narrow miss for Mars.
The cavalry (Working on Fire) arrives to waterbomb Venus and Mars.
Waterbombing has its effect - clouds of smoke and steam.
Seen from the top road, Sanddrif smoulders under the onslaught.
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