The Iron Crown - 5 August 2021

It was both a somber day and one of great excitement.  Gail had purchased a suitable vehicle in which to transport C.R.E.W. to explore terrains as Kate and Graham had moved north and with one vehicle and growing C.R.E.W. members there were only so many places where Anne's vehicle could take us as a group and "Tigger" was introduced with her first exploration being "The Iron Crown" in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. It is a place known for its beautiful Erica and vistas.

"Tigger"  VW - Tiguan Motion. 

 The name is a mix of the word Tiger and Leguan and Tigger in Winnie the Pooh is a happy Tigger who spells his name as who announces himself as "Glad to meet ya! Name's Tigger.  T-I-double guh-er! That spells Tigger!".

That's how Gail felt, like Tigger with a spring in his tail when being able to transport C.R.E.W. to places unexplored.  C.R.E.W. meant the world to her.

"The Iron Crown".

" I am watching over you."

Postbox to heaven

Inland and beyond.

Sheer heights looking down from way up high.

Shapes in rocks.

Gail went to pick up Dorothy to find her teary eyed as her beloved Jack had to be rushed to the vet where she said that she would wait to hear the outcome and then perhaps meander on in her own time to meet us which she duly did with sad news and with bravery.  Nature could and would heal all.

Maggie and Anne

It was rather a late start in the end but we were happy Dorothy had joined us and in the pristine environment with its majestic views one's heart does find consolation and being at "The Iron Crown" one does feel closer to heaven.   Dorothy may have just been at the "Pearly Gates" when Jack passed through.

We were lucky not to have missed the Erica cerinthoides, they were over but even in their dried form of rusty colour was still vibrant and an odd one perked up brightly as if there was a little light bulb shining from within.

 

Erica cerinthoides

Searsia

Gerrardina foliosa

On the cliff's edges Helichrysum lepidissimum bloomed, the yellow was so intense and the grey foliage soft.  What a hardly plant to grown on the harsh rocks that can get so hot from the sun and receive the brunt of the winds that blow.  If one takes one's nose to the little plant on the ground it has the most beautiful scent.

 

Helichrysum lepidissimum

We spent quite a while prodding around the cliff's edges and inspecting tiny flowers on trees before meandering on. Buchnera dura were dotted about as was the odd Wahlenbergia huttonii.   Dorothy pointed out a Gnidia nodiflora and one Callilepis laureola was flowering to remind us that spring was on its way.  Callilepis laureola tubers are known for their medicinal properties.  Ornithogalum juncifolium flowered like little stars in the galaxy of grasses.

Buchnera dura

Wahlenbergia huttonii

Gerbera ambigua

Gnidia nodiflora

Ornithogalum juncifolium

Gnidia nodiflora

Aspalathus chortophila - Tea bush

Callilepis laureola

With the sun high in the sky and rumbling tummies we sat on the edge of the cliff nestled between rocks and looked down at the earth below.  It's not often one can feel as if one is a bird and be able to scan the valley below.  On the other side was the Transkei and one could see many foot paths and barking dogs roamed below on the hunt for the severely harrassed game that might exist.  After lunch we ventured along the edge where one Polystachya pubescens flowered and right at the very end there was a Putterlicka retrospinosa with a seed hanging on it like a bobble on a Christmas tree.  Colpoon compressum had too set seed in the most wonderful colours. 

Polystachya pubescens

Anne at the edge of the earth.

Putterlickia retrospinosa with one fruit.

A Senecio setting seed.

Rafnia elliptica in seed.

As we began to think about heading home with sun that was beginning to sink Gail called to Anne and Dorothy to try and identify a plant that we don't often come across and thoughts weighed on Xerophyta retinervis commonly known as the Black stick lily which flowers in spring. However, as this species does not occur as far west as Umtamvuna, this is more likely to be Prionium serratum.  This species is well adapted to survive extreme conditions such as drought, fire and very cold temperatures.  

Prionium serratum perhaps...

 

To be identified, perhaps Prionium serratum

We walked the veld and it was simply beautiful.  The Agathosma ovata looked like posies for a bride and the various colours of pink were stunning, an odd pure white one popped up here and there and growing among them where many Eulophia parviflora.  We even found a pale green form.

Agathosma ovata

 

Buchnera dura - pink and white form

Eulophia parviflora 

Contentedly we drove home,  with the exception of "Tigger" who was afraid of overhanging grasses and refusing to be quieted on her first drive. Grateful to be able to explore this beautiful area with our C.R.E.W. members in troubling times.

Pondoland C.R.E.W!
Left:  Alf, Simon, Tracy, Dorothy, Maggie, Anne and Gail.

Thanking our elders, our teachers and contributors to making this day possible.