GROENFONTEIN EXPEDITION – TWO BOTANICAL RAMBLES

SPRING in the Klein Karoo, Kevin Koen, professional nature guide of Calitzdorp and Kogelberg branch members – a magic mix. Without Kevin, how would we know that right on the outskirts of the town is Jacobskop, a treasure house of succulents? There we saw how aptly Haworthia arachnoida had been named - see the picture of leaves that could be spider web. Nearby was H truncata known as perdetande from the rows of leaves on the ground (no stems), leaves which have translucent tips for photosynthis. This is a local special found only from Calitzdorp…
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Botsoc Kogelberg Walk Report 18th November 2017

For some reason the assembled Botsoc members and guests were reluctant to scan the distant heights of the contour path from the Fairy Glen parking area before we set off. ‘Let’s just get on with it’, they said. Sometimes it’s better to just sally forth and deal with the steep gradient as it comes. So that’s what we did. The objective was to survey the early summer flowers on the western slopes of the Three Sisters Peaks by traversing the contour path from Kasteelkopnek to Spooknek and descend via Dot’s Dash and the Klipspringer path…
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The Wednesday Hack

Although the weather also interfered this month, some work was done on the pine infestation on the slopes between Pringle Bay and Rooiels. A bad Australian Myrtle patch on the western side lies waiting. An easy maintenance hack was held at Kapensis (formerly Three Flavours), the hack was complete at tea and then moved on to Ed’s Valley Frik Potgieter Convenor
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‘ED’S VALLEY’ – ‘Where hackers sweated to remove alien plants under the leadership of Edward Silberbauer’

On Wednesday, 22 November, Hackers of the Kogelberg gathered to unveil the ‘Ed’s Valley’ plaque to commemorate not only a great hacker, Ed Silberbauer, but all those who hacked with him to return a large portion of our biosphere to its natural state. ‘Ed’s Valley’ is testimony to the tireless and unremitting commitment of many people over three generations to the restoration and conservation of this part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, some of whom made significant contributions to the designation of the greater part of this area as a Biosphere Reserve in the first…
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PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT N0 130

Today, the 26th of November, was the last hack of 2017 for the Pringle Bay Hack Group. We thought we would make it a quick and easy hack and tackle the verges of Hangklip Road, so we would not be too exhausted for the braai later! Little did we know, the exotics had their own idea. It was tough to eradicate the small stuff, especially the ever present Australian Myrtle! But we did it and cleared an area, which has always been avoided! Thank you guys! That was a good achievement and at least that…
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The Battle for Betty’s Bay Report on Hack no 656

The rain won this battle and forced a retreat of the troops. We will re-engage in January! We will (weather permitting) move our annual bring and braai as well. Beer will be provided, but if you want anything else please bring it with you. If the wind is too high, bring a picnic otherwise there will be a fire. Sadly, I record the death of Malcolm Pollard, third convenor of the hack from 1982 to 1984. Malcolm started hacking in the 1970s soon after he and Wendy bought their holiday house in Betty's Bay. Malcolm…
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FUTURE EVENTS

TALKS PLANNED FOR 2018:  20 JANUARY 2018: Rod & Rachel Saunders will be speaking on Gladioli. They are currently writing a book about the genus and are keen to share their knowledge after an informative trip to the Drakensberg studying the list of SA Gladioli. Join us at Nivenia Hall, Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay on 20 January at 6 pm.WALKS PLANNED FOR 2018 The January walk will be advertised in New Year so keep an eye out. If you miss it, as usual, we will meet at the Harold Porter National…
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A Tribute to Penny Palmer

PENELOPE AYLIFF PALMER 16 Janaury 1936 – 23 October 2017 Penny P, first female wielder of chain-saws at the Betty’s Bay Hack, birder, frog finder, music-lover, writer, mimic, comic, past chairman of the Kogelberg Branch of BotSoc SA. Penny lived in Kleinmond when she first came to the Kogelberg in her early fifties. There she was a co-founder of the Hiking Club, keen member of the Nature Conservation Society, even sang in a choir. She discovered the Betty’s Bay Hack - Joy Ruger tells of how she and Penny cycled all the way to hack…
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Walk Report

Remoteness, tranquillity, a slow walk, sunny and mild weather, pristine Cape seashore vegetation, sweeping beaches, rock pools, sea shell strewn coves, good humour, birds and a spot to have tea and watch the whale out at sea. It doesn’t get better. Six members and guests set off on the 21st October to ramble along the sea shore from Betty’s Bay’s beautiful Silversands beach towards Cape Hangklip in perfect weather. Having no fixed destination set us free to take our time. We would stop for tea when we felt like it and then retrace our steps.…
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