Simon’s Town Real Estate News

Just Nuisance Steps And Gino The Italian Grey

As we started making (map) our progress up the steps the sun came up to greet us and the cool breeze made the trip pleasant. Elmarie stopped regularly but the going was good. Every time she stopped I took photos with my camera phone (an excuse for the photo quality).Little Gino was running back and forth leaving us amazed at the natural fitness of the friendly creature. And he inspired us to continue. As we got closer to Just Nuisance’s grave the renewed energy was evident in our step as we knew we have made it.We lingered for a while at the top and absorbed the magnificent Simon’s Town; the place where people appreciate the contrast because of its life giving power. Amazing! Walking down was easy but it can be tough on the knees. As we stepped down we realized we did the round trip in 35 minutes. While we thought it would take us hours. We had time left for a quick trip to Long Beach. As we arrived a friend phoned and wanted to continue on ww.skype.com. The call was important but Gino did not know this. He had to go and make his mark…again. In our haste we got the whippets in the car but left Gino on the beach.Arriving home we realized that Gino was not with us. This is a long story. Apparently Gino started running down St Georges, the guys at Shell saw him as cars gave way for this fast running dog. But the trail got cold. Gino is missing. Thanks to lingering homeless people we were reunited after an hour of searching. I am not sure who were the most relieved. But the meeting was intense as we both apologized and made-up. Relieved and happy to share the Simon’s Town adventure with our dog friends.

Click On The Photos

Here’s a short video I made from these photos.

Tags: Just Nuisance, simonstown, Walking

Posted in Simon's Town | Comments

Kleinplaas dam our white beach

“Elmarie let’s go to Keinplaas dam. Let’s take the dogs, my Nokia N73 camera phone, and water and go for a picnic while we relax on the white beaches of Kleinplaas dam. We took the scenic road via Red Hill. At Pine Haven we turned left and drove the few kilometers to the parking area. As we walked past Brooklands Ghost Town we remembered the past but have no facts other than it being part of the force removals.

The first incline is relatively stiff and Elmarie starts pumping oxygen. At the top we took a detour and walked on an old road that narrows into a footpath that leads to the underground water pipe from the dam. We followed the pipeline all they way back to the dam wall. It gets a bit muddy. But if Elmarie can make it then you can

The dogs and I wanted to continue north along the dam wall but Elmarie wanted to go to the beach. Who won? It has to be the white beach (no pun intended): (Click on the photos to enlarge them).

We felt small and privileged to be at the Kleinpaas Dam. Thank You! We had a lovely time and will be back.

Kleinpaas Dam Facts: The water-supply (to Simon’s Town) has always caused difficulties. In 1902 the entire supply was a concrete reservoir containing 13 1/2 million litres, an Admiralty reservoir containing R36m litres, and springs yielding 68 000 litres a day. Today Simonstown has, in addition, the Neptune and Prince George reservoirs, with a joint capacity of 68m litres, the Lewis Gay Dam, opened in 1952 and holding R86m litres, and the Kleinplaas Dam, built in 1967, holding 500m kilolitres. Source.

Use this map to plan your hiking route.

Johan, Elmarie and the dogs.

P.S. I am interested in the Brookland Ghost Town history. If any of you can tell me more or direct me to the right people please leave a comment here. Thanks.

Tags: Kleinplaas, Walking

Posted in Things To Do | Comments