g(l)umboots

What is it about kids and puddles?

Like moths to a flame.

I've recently discovered there is no better cure for a bout of the winter glumps, then gumboot walking on Rondebosch Common.

All you need is a break in the weather and a sense of adventure,

a little bit of curiousity ...

... and dry pants in the car for the trip home.

walking with kids: Groote Schuur Estate

This is a nice easy one for late on a weekday afternoon, or a quickie on the weekend when you just. have. to. get. OUT.
You know those ones?

Head up Princess Anne Avenue towards Rhodes Memorial, but park in the car park to the right of the main gate. Take the footpath next to the road for a little bit ...

... then swing left into the field (the path is very clear).

From here on you can go whichever way suits your fancy, dependent on the average length of leg walking and the spirit of adventure. There's a number of smaller paths, cutting up the slope through the trees, around the reservoir (pause for a nostalgic moment if you were a UCT student and remember illicit summer afternoon swims here), or even through the turnstile and into Newlands Forest. Take care here if you've a doggie walking with you that it doesn't go demented at the smell of braai wafting from the public picnic area and take off at a run.

It's a magical bit of forest regardless of the season, and a firm family favourite.

walking with kids: Newlands Forest

Newlands Forest is no secret to anyone living in the Southern Suburbs. 'Specially anyone with a dog.

In the news a few years ago due to the excessive amount of dog poo one had to wade through at the start of the walk, a community initiative to supply poop bags and specially allocated bins has improved this immensely.

Things to love about Newlands Forest ...

... it's a forest, but it's not 2 minutes walk from the depths of suburbia
... the many track options, catering to all time allowances and length of legs walking
... the dogs - from interesting and well-bred to very ordinary, and sometimes very weird - we once met a  Dachshund/Rottweiler cross. I'll let you picture that one ...
... its so, so kiddie-friendly

  

... so many other Capetonians love it, everyone you meet is friendly and relaxed

... a chance to see the Fire Station helicopters up close and personal

... cool in summer, protected in winter, very seldom windy, never too muddy - it's a perfect walk all year round

... and one of the best places in Cape Town to track the changing of the seasons.

Look at those new, bright green leaves. Summer's a-coming!

TIP: the 'usual' way to access Newlands Forest (when coming from the City Bowl) is a hair-raising right turn off busy Rhodes Drive and into the often overly-full parking lot. The lesser-known but easier way, is to drive down Newlands Avenue, take a right into Cypress Rd (just after Forries) and follow the road round into Cedar Rd. Park and walk through the subway which runs under Rhodes Drive. The subway makes great echoes and look out for the gigantic South African flag painted on one of the garage doors in Cedar Rd.

walking with kids: Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch

We've declared this summer will be the Summer of Walks. This came from the realisation that this year the girls will be just the right ages - Friday's big enough to manage fairly long walks on her own, Sunday still small enough (just!) to be carried in the backpack.

 And why wait for summer to start?

On Women's Day last week we walked along the Contour Path from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Us and a couple of hundred other Capetonians, but no matter, we still got lots of quiet forest time and ample chance to admire the magnificent views.

Logistically the tricky part is needing two cars - one at each end. This makes the walk a manageable distance for small children, with about an hour's walking time which one can do as fast or slowly as you like, stopping for snacks and play along the way.
We left one car, with Friday's toddler/booster car seat in it, at the Rycroft Gate of Kirstenbosch Gardens on Rhodes Drive. Then, with Friday buckled into the back seat (she's tall enough now for this to be an option for short distances) and Sunday still in her proper car seat, we drove the short way on to Constantia Neck, leaving the second car there.

With Sunday in her backpack, Lego the doggie on her lead, juice and snacks in another pack and Friday clutching a sweaty handful of leaves from our garden (so we could 'find our way home'), we set off.

The first uphill part of the walk is the most strenuous, but we took it slow and soon we were on level ground, and it remained like that pretty much for the rest of the way.
This will be a perfect walk for high summer as the majority of the route is in shade, with lots of spots to stop and rest if required.

We had a picnic halfway, and then descended slowly into Kirstenbosch where Lego had to go back on her lead for the short walk through the top of the Gardens and out the Rycroft Gate to our waiting car.
Here we put Sunday in Friday's booster seat with me sitting beside her to make sure she didn't escape, strapped Friday next to me, and drove back to the Nek to collect the other car.

By road this distance is short enough to be no trouble at all, and well worth the chance to enjoy this lovely walk with the girls.
As I tucked Friday into bed that evening she said 'Mum, when I'm asleep will you have another good idea for us to go on a mountain walk again tomorrow?'.

Maybe not tomorrow my love, but we're looking forward to many more such family walks this summer.

For a more detailed map for this route and other walks in the area, I can't recommend Slingsby's Table Mountain Map more highly. Get it here.