Storms River

For Kel's birthday the Brown clan plus one, me although I am now the big sister and part of the family, went to Storm's River for the morning. We had perfect weather! Beautiful blue skies and sunshine, and cooling fresh breeze that kept us from overheating, for the most part at least.. The plan was to walk to the suspension bridge and then have a picnic lunch when we returned. A half hour walk each way, we set off, amidst much laughter, curiosity and excitement! Over the past few weeks I have discovered that little people ask many questions, have curiosity in abundance and find wonder and excitement in the small things that as adults we overlook or dismiss. And so the half hour walk turned into so much more as we stopped often for photos and investigations and laughs. The walk is entirely on a boardwalk, with many steps along the way. For short legs this was a struggle and Kate had a piggy-back for the last stretch before the suspension bridge. Most of the walk is in the cool shade of trees and vines, with lookout points over the sea and mountains and well placed benches for a sit and bask in the beauty of life. We emerged from the cool shadows into a rather warm sun, with the bridge in sight! A steep decent down some stairs put us at the beginning of the bridge. When Mark said the plan was to walk to the suspension bridge I was so keen! I have been on the suspension bridge at Oribi Gorge which small and unstable and sways in the wind and with every footstep and you get this awesome rush walking across it! Too much fun! This was the image I had in my head when I heard suspension bridge, and so to see a well built, rather solid looking bridge I was a bit disappointed. But it still moved underfoot and the view over the sea was spectacular! We got to the other side and had a sit, rest and cool down on this beautiful pebble beach. Yes indeed a pebble beach. Not a sand beach. I was amazed that there were all these rocks ground smooth by the tide and each other and piled into this exquisite beach with piles of driftwood. And as the waves broke on the shore the rocks/pebbles shifted and rolled against each other with soothing clicks and cracks. I could easily have settled in and grown roots there for a good few hours, but thirst and hunger drove us car-ward and we begun the walk back. The steep steps that took us down to the bridge, although on a different route, seemed even steeper and higher and more tiring. The walk back was faster, with more purpose and fewer stops and we returned to the car a hot, sweaty, thirsty and hungry bunch. Lunch was a magnificent spread of finger foods eaten in the picnic area overlooking the sea. We were kept company by overly friendly Red-winged Starlings, and a slightly more cautious Kelp Gull and Rock Hyrax. As we were leaving we spotted a tern and coromorant roost! All in all it was a most enjoyable morning and we all returned home happy and pleasantly exhausted for an afternoon nap!

Stunning!

A view along the walk to the suspension bridge.

An epic gnarled tree, perfect for a rest!

Little legs needed a piggy back!

The Brown clan on the suspension bridge.

Birthday girl, Kel, and her princess, Kate, on the pebble beach.

Gull and hyrax, waiting for leftovers!

Spot them all!

Tern and cormorant roost.