Outing to Smedmore

We had a special visitor join us on our walk today. Anthea Mensing, "Mr Nic's" daughter came to have a look at the Hugh Nicholson/Tony Abbott herbarium and other reminders of the contribution that her father to the establishment of the Umtamvuna Reserve and the herbarium collection. Buyi and Lindo also came along for the walk.

We had intended returning to the Western Heights but the management team were busy doing block burns in that area so we elected to go to Smedmore instead. We first walked in the grassland and along the edge of the kranzes above the Umtamvuna gorge but at this early stage in the season there was not much flowering. We then walked a short distance into the forest to have lunch.

Anthea Mensing in the centre of the group

Despite the good rains which fell about 10 days ago, most of the plants have yet to wake up for spring. There were some Bachmannia woodii just starting to flower - always an impressive sight. Back out in the grassland the Gerbera natalensis still very much have their winter pyjamas on.

Gerbera natalensis

Bachmannia woodii

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Uschi T, Anthea Mensing, Lindo Tshapa, Buyi Z.