2014 Diary: Day 6 - Cape Peninsula

Unfortunately due to the inclement weather the original plan of hiking up Table Mountain was not possible, this of course saddened the team tremendously. So much that they seemed to refuse to wake up and get out of bed. This is surely signs of depression we thought, and thus had to make speedy alternative plans. None better than taking a drive across the Cape Peninsula to take in all the sites and perhaps a bit of geology along the way.

Muizenberg from the vantage point of the shark spotter. From here, a spotter sits and keeps a lookout for any sharks, and if seen, swimmers and surfers are called out of the surf

The Cape Peninsula is mostly made up of the Table Mountain Group. This includes the Peninsula Formation quartzites, which comprises most of the mountains around this region. The Peninsula Formation is further underlain by the Graafwater Formation shales. The latter is a highly fissile and an easily weathered unit; its inept ability to handle weathering results in many rock falls of the more weather resistant quartzites above! As was seen in along the Chapmans Peak Drive. The oldest unit in the Peninsula is the Namibian-aged Malmesbury shales. This makes up most of the underlying sediment in the Northern Suburbs, and is prominently exposed along Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill. Also very noticeable is the intrusion of the ca. 550 Ma Cape Granites, prominent especially while sunbathing on Camps Bay or Boulders Beach.

Nom Nom Nom- Kalkies Fish and Chips, and Calamari

The geology made our team very hungry and thus we went off to find the best fish and chips! Our hunt ended at Kalkies, in Kalk Bay where not only did the team get to enjoy a well-deserved lunch, but also play with a feisty seal and buy some little mementos from the fair Cape. One of the members was overheard saying: "I wish we could eat this everyday at the Canteen in Head Office..."

Eve and Nox striking a pose

Our “Big Deal” of the day was that it was Tebogo’s first day at the beach! She was understandable over-excited, so excited that she did not show any signs of the said excitement. Also, just too excited that she forgot to bring a bathing suit! Luckily, Nox was on hand to sweep her off her feet and almost throw her into the deep end of Fish Hoek! Tebogo was reported saying that: “I am very excited, it’s just that I don’t show it…” Maintaining the highest levels of modesty!

Tebogo's first day at the beach, keeping clear of the waves, way clear

Tomorrow the team is off again, this time to Eksteenfontein, prediction: Heat Wave…