Geocache

About thirty geocaching enthusiasts descended on the Reserve today. The organizer, Brenton, had gone to a lot of trouble during the past few weeks to hide caches throughout the Reserve and to find suitable clues and tasks to help Fovs.

It was a fantastic group of people, so enthusiastic and, in spite of the rain, full of fun. Because of the weather we opened the conference room for them so at least they could get their instructions in dry circumstances.

Here Brent is explaining to one of the teams.

Part of the fun were so called roadblocks where a certain task had to be performed so we got them to remove aliens, plant twelve trees on the main picnic site to replace the bluegums and move rocks to the entrance circle for the new rockery.

Afterwards they made themselves at home in our new braai area while we, Ellie, Cathy, Sue, Keith. Rob and Rudi huddled in the Fovs room for well-deserved coffee and snacks.

Very rewarding to see return for the effort of Friends of Van Stadens and people enjoying themselves.

The area behind the braai was beautiful with the low hanging cloud and the misty conditions, now we must just get rid of the pines to improve the view.

Miracles do happen! Tony has made a start with replacing the grass on the roof of the main Xhosa hut. It has only taken five years of gentle persuasion but now it is happening

From looking very miserable a few weeks ago the Arboretum showed us now a few gems, from a blossoming Dombeya to a flowering Pelargonium to a blooming Dietes, all wonderful.

When everybody had left it was time to drive around to the mountain to have  a look at ‘Neil se gat’ where Neil is installing the new stopcock for our water supply.