Yesterday, August 10,
dawned with a clear sky, perfect for walking in the mountains of the Fairest
Cape. We decided to walk for Judy,
our dear friend who loves the mountain so and would be on the slopes herself if
she weren’t recovering from a major operation. Afterwards, she would
be writing about her experience and showing us her wonderful photographs.
I can’t pretend to match your talent,
Judy, but I offer this song to the mountain for you.
The Vlakkenberg stands
sentry on the southern side of Constantia Nek. Following a path introduced to us by you and Jannie, we
climbed steadily past graceful restios and up through a forest of silver trees, their soft leaves shimmering
in the gentle light of a wintry sun.
The musty forest smell
of fallen leaves and the clear call of the Southern boubou awakened my senses. The pinky-mauve blossoms of the September
bush vied with the bright yellow of the Aspalathus, shyly opening up to the bumble bees
and butterflies. Everywhere I
looked, I found hints of the spring that was coiled and waiting to burst forth.
We left the forest and
steadily climbed the steep slopes towards the rocky fringe just below the
summit. Suddenly, the air above
our heads came alive with feathery acrobats. A flock of alpine swifts, fresh from their long migration,
swooped and soared above the rockface, effortlessly dodging the hungry crows,
ravens and rock kestrels. Entranced, I stood and looked upwards for several long moments,
delighting in the whoosh of the wind in their wings. And then they were gone.
At the top, we found a
rocky outcrop with the most perfect view over the Cape Flats and out over False
Bay. Wisps of mist still hung low
over the land, but the sun was warm and welcoming. Far below, we pinpointed the red roofs of Constantiaberg Hospital and sent our thoughts
and our love down to you. I
like to think that it was at about that time that you spoke those few words to
your beloved Jannie and gave him such joy.
