Rietberg

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SCENES FROM THE RIETBERG …

… commonly called Mountain Drive above Grahamstown. We first look down on the N2 as it passes through fossil-rich shale cuttings as it bypasses the town on its way to East London in one direction and Port Elizabeth in the other:

A little further on we can look down on the back end of the 1820 Settlers Monument (simply known as The Monument) and its beautiful surrounds with Grahamstown stretching out below:

Now we can zoom into one of the older suburbs:

When we look over the hill on the other side, we can see the Southwell valley stretching out before us – an area of private game reserves, dairy farms, pineapple farms and mixed farming:

These scenes give you another glimpse of where I live.

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ALONG THE SOUTHWELL ROAD

In search of a change of scenery, we decided to drive down the steep winding Woest Hill Pass which leads to the Southwell road that eventually takes one to the seaside town of Port Alfred. The pass has been cut through the side of the mountain, exposing the layers of rock:

On the opposite side of the road are lovely views of the Rietberg:

Along the way there are still many aloes in bloom:

One passes game farms, pineapple farms, quarries, goats and cattle. On this particular day we were fortunate to see roan antelope:

Thick bush lines much of the Southwell road:

Although the Woest Hill Pass is tarred, the rest of the road is gravel:

I was fortunate to spot a herd of impala ewes through the roadside grass and scrub:

I was still watching them when an impressive impala ram nudged his way into my view:

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FOUR TREES

Apart from the several flowering trees that are brightening our landscape, here are four interesting trees I have taken note of over the past week. The first one is a very old tree showing the scars of its long life.

This sturdy old tree grows next to a country road I frequent. It is covered with lichen and has produced several tangled branches during its lifetime. Like many large trees, it seems to represent solidity and a determination to face all obstacles.

Then there is a rather pre-historic looking tree that grows on the hills around Grahamstown, the Oldenbergia grandi.

I have featured the flowers of the Burchellia bubalina before. This is a young bush – one of many blooming at this time of the year: along the road, next to rocky outcrops, and on the local hills.

Lastly, here is a windswept tree growing on the edge of the Rietberg that forms one of the hilly borders of our town.

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A DIRT ROAD

Even though our country is laced with tarred highways and secondary roads, there are enough dirt roads left to provide an edge of anticipation. Dirt roads travel through the quieter parts and often lead one towards spectacular views or interesting explorations – even this popular dirt road that runs along the top of the Rietberg that rises above our town.

Look at that horizon beckoning, the open blue sky and the winter covering of grass: they spell space and freedom. During these unending lock down days the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about, this is just what the doctor ordered: space and the freedom to move about, even though one will be buffeted by the wind. We drove for a way along what is known as Mountain Drive and then walked some distance in order to experience the views and the silence. The road is not nearly as smooth as one might think from the picture above.

A dirt road has a certain character: even though this is a bumpy ride, passing vehicles have, over many years, softened the rough edges and even polished the protruding stones.

It feels good to be walking along a dirt road and ahead a corner provides a glimpse of the endless vistas that stretch behind the mountain ridge that watches over our town nestled in the valley below.

The road rises and falls until at last we are blown back to our vehicle to explore the rest of the way until we pass the dam at the bottom on our way home.

This grassy mountain top hides a number of tiny blossoms and insects; it reveals interesting trees and an unexpected stand of proteas. I will return.