A walk to Salt River Mouth at Natures Valley

 

The Garden Route has some excellent hiking trails.  The Otter, Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma trails are epic and will take you a couple of days covering long distance lugging along backpacks while short loops like Storms River Mouth, The Big Tree and Garden of Eden will use up an hour of your time with only a camera over your shoulder before heading off to your next destination.  These aren't the only trails though and whichever trail you choose will depend on where you are and how much time you have.  Spending a Sho't Left long weekend in the Crags and Nature's Valley we decided to put aside a morning to do the 5km round trip hike to Salt River Mouth. 

 

We left our car at the Nature's Valley Restaurant and Trading Store and headed off down the beach in a westerly direction.  After a quick discussion we decided to do it anticlockwise so about 500 meters down the beach we turned right and followed the path through the coastal forest up towards the lookout point above Nature's Valley.  The lookout point is the perfect spot to get your breath back after the climb.  It gives you a stunning view of the coastline and Nature's Valley below.

Shortly after the lookout point you turn left and from there it's downhill all the way to the Salt River.  Before you get to it you start to catch glimpses of the river and the little lagoon by the river mouth.  The path spits you out slightly upstream and from here you follow the bank down towards the ocean.  We timed our walk to coincide with low tide so there wasn't as much water as you would find at high tide. 

There was more than enough water for a dip though and seeing the inviting water after a warm walk had the KidZ nagging for us to take a break before heading back.  There's no body surfing to be done in the lagoon so the Damselfly just splashed down in the shallows while the KidZ and I explored the banks (yes, there was a Geocache to be found) and swam a little bit.  This is also a great spot to break out the snacks we carried along.  Although we didn't spot anybody while walking, I was quite surprised how many people actually made their way down the path and along the banks while we were there.

 

After drying off in the sun a bit it was time to head back towards Nature's Valley, this time along the coastal route.  After a short distance we hit an area I saw referred to somewhere as the Black Rocks.  I imagine this could become an exciting little piece of traversing at high tide and I was quite glad that we chose low tide what with having the KidZ with us and all. 

 

After a bit of rock hopping and finding the best path to follow we reached a spot from where we could look back on the coastline.  In the photo the Salt River is situated in the bay visible in the middle of the picture.  From here it was about a kilometer back to the car.  Not that we got back in the car.  It was first time for an ice cream and something to drink at the restaurant while watching a couple of hikers who just finished the Otter celebrate.  We may not have done the Otter, but we got to hike and see some of the beautiful coastline this part of the world has to offer.  Very much the same as the okes on the Otter. 

Natures Valley View panorama

A panoramic view of Nature's Valley from one of the scenic view site on the trail to Salt River

The end of the Otter Trail

The Otter Trail is probably South Africa's premier hiking trail covering 5 days and 42 kilometers between the Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River and Nature's Valley.  On the last day when hikers reach The Point, the end of the trail is in sight but not before descending down to Nature's Valley beach and then walking the length of it to the Nature's Valley Restaurant and Trading Store to kick off their shoes and have a welcome cold one.

During our Sho't Left weekend in the Crags and Nature's Valley we climbed to the top of The Point and watched as a group of hikers came past on the trail.  About 15 minutes later they were walking along the beach towards that mentioned cold drink.

Later the afternoon we popped by the Nature's Valley Trading Store and this is what we found.  A tree in the restaurant's outside area filled with discarded shoes (and a couple of other items) that was well and truly tired after the long walk, left as a "memorial" of those who have competed this epic trail. 

Paddling on the Groot River Lagoon

We would rather do weekends away and expose the KidZ to nature, the outdoors and as many other things as possible rather than spending all that money on Dstv every month.  Seeing Chaos Boy paddling on the Groot River Lagoon at Natures Valley in his blow-up boat really put a smile on my face.  Mission accomplished for today.  What's next?

Nature's Valley panorama

A panoramic view of Nature's Valley and its surrounds from the top of The Point looking west

Climbing The Point at Natures Valley

I'm starting to plan all my trips and holidays not just around what I want to see and do, but also around where there are Geocaches in the area.  If you don't know much about Geocaching then you would wonder why and how it could enhance a holiday, but believe me it does.  It often takes you to spots you may not have planned to visit otherwise but once you've been there you are really glad you did.  One of those on our recent visit to Natures Valley was The Point.  The Point is situated on the eastern side of the Natures Valley beach where the Otter Trail comes out with a magnificent view of the coastline.

At first the Damselfly wasn't too keen to climb to the top with the KidZ and I, but relented in the end and tagged along.  Although its quite a steep climb its not too difficult with steps aiding you most of the way.  We had to keep telling the KidZ not to get to close to the side as they were flying up ahead of us, laughing at their unfit parents huffing and puffing behind them.  Looking back as you climb higher and higher you start to realize that you will be in for an absolute scenic view treat once you are at the top.

Before we knew it we were there and turning back this was the view waiting for us. WOW! Through and through worth it and highly recommended to anybody visiting the Natures Valley area.  Even the Damselfly couldn't help but to agree.  Oh yes, and I did find the cache which has been up there for 12 years already making it the oldest cache I've found so far.

Outeniqua Yellowwood Tree at Natures Valley

I used to travel down the Garden Route quite often while I was still tour guiding but these days don't often get a chance to go further than the Tsitsikamma.  Driving down to Natures Valley on our recent Easter weekend Sho't Left in the area I had to stop at one of the view points on the way down on the Grootrivier Pass.  Its not a view point as much as it's a tree point.  The view is of a little valley next to the pass with a massive Outeniqua Yellowwood standing out above the rest of the forest.

 

The Outeniqua Yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus) is South Africa's national tree.  It is an evergreen conifer that often grows up to about 45 meters tall with some known to reach 60 meters.  Some of the largest individuals occur in the Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Amatole montane forests, where some specimens are over 1000 years old.  Outeniqua Yellowwoods are protected by law and can only be cut down with a special permit.

 

Just a couple of other facts courtesy of Wikipedia - The trunk can be 2 to 3 meters wide with a gray-brown to reddish and smooth but flaky bark.  The leaves are arranged in spirals on the branches.  They are small and narrow, up to 4.5 centimeters long by about 6 millimeters wide.  The yellowwood is a dioecious species, with male and female structures on separate plants. The male cone is brown with spiralling scales while the female cone has one scale bearing one seed between one and two centimeters long.

A dairy farm experience in the Crags

A holiday experience can be made up of anything and for our Easter long weekend Sho't Left to the Crags and Natures Valley we were expecting it to be made up of camping, swimming in the Natures valley lagoon, walks and Geocaching.  Little did we expect a farm experience that got the KidZ a lot more excited than any of the mentioned activities.  The campsite was situated across the road from the Natures Way Farmstall which on its turn is located on a working dairy farm.  The farm milks Jersey cows twice a day and every morning and afternoon the cows are herded past the campsite to the milking shed and then back again to the meadows where they spend the rest of their time.

The Tsitsikamma Sunrise Caravan Park where we stayed had on their website that you can go and see how the cows get milked across the road at the farm stall.  Little did we know that its not just one or two cows but close to 200 of them.  On our first morning there we went to find out what time they milk and were told 4pm to 6pm.  This meant that the KidZ were watch watching all day long and made sure we were back in time from the beach to go and see the cows.  Not just was it the KidZ first time in a commercial dairy but also my own.  I was snapping pictures and asking questions while trying to stay out the workers' way best I could to allow them to continue with their work.  After a while one of the workers called the KidZ over and showed them how the machines worked.  They even got to try their own hands at milking and Drama Princess got to put the milking machine on one of the cows. WOW! And there I thought we may just get to have a peek before being asked to leave.  Kudos to these workers to take time out in between doing their job to show these city folk what they do even if they don't have to.

We were barely out the milking shed and the farm's foreman went past with a buck bucket full of milk for the calves.  Before we could say a word the KidZ were off after him to give a hand and he didn't complain because it meant he could stand back and let the KidZ do their thing.  The feeding process is a bit more "advanced" than standing with bottles but on the other hand its designed for one person to feed a couple of calves at a time.  While the KidZ were busing the foreman explained to us the whole process of rearing calves, when they get weened from milk and where the go when they get a bit older.  In addition to all of this we also got to see a calf being born on our last afternoon there and all in all this accumulates and contributed to a much more memorable holiday than just hikes, Geocaching and swimming.

Natures Way Farm Stall

South Africa has some impressive farm stalls.  Some sell nothing more than fresh produce while others are for all intensive purposes a restaurant or curio shop along a high way or back road somewhere.  Its the ones in between that really interests me.  Those who sell something fresh, some curios and also serve a killer meal, even if its nothing more than roosterkoek with jam and cheese.  And coffee.  Lets not forget coffee.  I discovered a farm stall like this on the road between the Crags and Natures Valley on the Garden Route on a recent Sho't Left to the area.

Natures Way Farm Stall isn't a curio selling shop but rather one that focuses on fresh and home made goods.  We were in the area for four days and every morning they had the freshest home made breads and cakes, fresh milk on tap straight from the dairy on the farm the farm stall is located on, jams, dried fruit and a range of dairy products.  They also serve meals, cakes and... coffee on the stoep.

The farm stall sells a range of cheeses made either on the farm or in the area, most made from their own milk.  The problem with a farm stall like this is that my wallet can't handle everything my eyes want.  I wouldn't mind having access to fresh milk on tap every day.

Fishing line disposal

Arriving at the beach in Natures Valley on a recent visit I immediately spotted something a bit unusual.  A piece of down pipe attached to a pole with a sign on it.  On closer inspection I found out that it's been placed there, and all around the beach in Nature's Valley, for people to place fishing line they pick up from the beach in.  Fishing line is a huge threat to wildlife, specially birds and small mammals.  They often also contain hooks which can cause a lot of pain when stepped in.  I wish more towns would implement something like this for the good of the environment plus it's a very cheap thing to do.  dispo

A calf was born - an unforgettable experience

I remember when I was about 8 or 9 I got to see a cow give birth on a farm I went to with my grand parents.  Its something I never forgot and I always wondered if my KidZ, being city kids, would ever get the opportunity to see it happen.  During our Sho't Left Easter weekend at the Crags we visited the Natures Way Farm Stall across the road from the campsite a couple of times.  Natures Way is situated on a commercial dairy farm and they kept the pregnant fairies in a camp next to the farm stall. The day we got there two cows have just given birth and we were hoping that one of the other three would calf before we left.  Drama Princess went to check every day but it didn't look like we were going to have any luck.

That was till the last afternoon when the one cow started to show signs of wanting to pop her calf out and we (along with a number of other curious people) kept a vigil next to the camp.  By 5pm the farmer arrived to have a look and he decided that he may have to give a hand.  The farm foreman and another guy arrived and after a while stepped in.  The process started with the foreman doing something I wouldn't do, grabbing the calf's two legs and tying them together.  From there it was like a tug-of-war with the two pulling while the farmer held the tail out their way and kept the cow calm.  After what felt like ages the calf arrived. "Its a boy!" But he wasn't moving... The onlookers got quiet... One lady wiped away tears...  The farmer came over slowly... The Damselfly carefully asked if the calf was alive... "Yes he's fine. Big strong bull calf," the farmer answered. *loud sign of relieve and an applause*

A couple of minutes later he started to lift his head while his mother was licking him. I probably would have taken a couple of minutes as well if somebody just yanked me from my mother by my arms. 

I think of all the experiences from this weekend this is the one that will stay with the KidZ for the longest.  Something most city kids never get to see.  The birth of a calf, an unforgettable experience. 

Sho't Left to the Crags and Natures Valley

Tourism in South Africa isn't just for international visitors but also for locals.  Yes there are places that most locals would never be able to afford to visit, but there are more places that are affordable to visit and even more things that you can do that actually doesn't cost you anything.  South African Tourism encourages locals to travel through their Sho't Left campaign.  "Sho't Left" is derived from everyday South African "taxi lingo" where a commuter wanting a ride to a destination close by will say, "Sho't left, driva!" - meaning, I want to jump off just around the corner.  So a Sho't Left excursion or holiday would be seen as a short affordable holiday not too far from home.

Over the Easter long weekend we decided to take do a four night camping holiday - our Easter Sho't Left - at the Tsitsikamma Sunrise Caravan Park between the Crags and Natures Valley.  Except for the R320 per night for the camp site the experiences we had cost us nothing except for the petrol to get down into Natures Valley.  We Geocached, climbed the Point (also the last bit of the renown Otter Trail) east of Natures Valley, hiked to the Salt River Mouth west of the village and spend lots of time in the Groot River Lagoon.  Across the road from the camp site is Natures Way Farm Stall, situated on a commercial dairy farm.  We got to see how they milked the cows every afternoon (at no cost), the kids got some hands on experience with the milking process, feed the calves and on the last evening actually got to see a calf being born.  Priceless experiences that didn't have my wallet heaving.

 

As soon as I get a chance to edit pictures, upload them and write something I will post about all of these wonderful experiences we had at Natures Valley.

 

This Sho't Left holiday was done at our own cost and no part of it was sponsored.

Sunset stroll

Taking a stroll at sunset along Nature's Valley's main beach

The water's edge

When I did the first "Random ..." post on "Roundness", it was because I couldn't find anything else that tickled my fancy for a post that night. The second one on "Rust" was out of wanting to post one specific photo and finding a couple of others which linked to the theme. Now I've realised that there are endless possibilities out there for themed posts that isn't connected to one place. Oh wait, that was actually Karin who said so in one of the comments on "Rust". But what she said is true. There are so many different possibilities to explore, and explore I will.

For today I chose "The water's edge". I love standing where the water gets to the sand and take pictures of the little waves breaking on the sand with some landscape in the background.

Ps. Tomorrow (or today or yesterday depending when you are reading this) is the Damselfly's birthday. I just want to wish her a Happy Birthday! I'll try to get up and make you coffee in bed tomorrow morning. Promise.

Natures Valley beach on the Garden Route

The beach at Cannon Rocks on the Sunshine Coast

Hobie Beach towards Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth

Nature's Valley sunset

I love pictures of sunsets. For me its is the best time of the day and if you can find a good spot to take it, it makes for brilliant photos. The following picture I took a little while ago on a camping trip to Nature's Valley on the Garden Route. The Damselfly started to get annoyed with me for hanging around on the beach for ages waiting for the sun to go down, but the result is one of my favourite sunset pics.