Arquivos de periódicos de abril 2019

02 de abril de 2019

Die Klip is Dood

Die Klip is Dood
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
2nd April 2019

“Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed young minds. I believe in optimism. I believe in hope… Don’t let the cynics get you down. Cynicism is a choice – And hope is a better choice.”

  • Barack Obama

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Meijersrust in the Swartberg
21st/23rd March 2019
Loaded to the gunnels, the Fortuner and the Drifter arrived at Meijersrust to a very warm welcome from Vivienne and Barry Meijer. The farm is on the south-western entrance to Meiringspoort and involved a fair bit of 4x4 driving to get to the Stone Hut where we were staying for 2 nights and some extra rough-road mileage to get to our kick-off destination for various hikes done on the 3 days available. It was an excellent chance for Jen to get some experience over rough roads and she managed beautifully.

We were so comfortable in the Stone Hut, with its spacious outdoor kitchen under roof. Bill and I slept in the back of the Drifter, which is one of my favourite things. Sundowners in the middle of nowhere, with visits from a herd of Eland and a marvellous story session with Vivienne and Barry were some of the special evening treats. A full moon was a glorious addition to the early evenings and 'first-light' mornings. We are so privileged to have access to the wide open spaces and magnificent empty views that this country has to offer.

The ongoing and crippling drought pervades the atmosphere, taking away some of the magic of our surroundings. The dams are mostly empty, or close to being dry. The vegetation is struggling. This made the startling discovery of the flowering Amaryllis, Brunsvigia striata all the more exciting. On the next day, the emerging Haemanthus sanguineus out of the sepia-dry soil was another cause for celebration.

A recent burn partially destroyed a magnificent campsite high-up on the southern slopes of Bloupunt and about 400m from the river, with waterfalls, gorgeous pools and rock-art sites. We are considering asking the Mountain Club to join us on a future trip to the campsite, but only after there has been some significant rain. It would involve about 2km of overnight pack carrying, unless Barry can get that stretch of road fixed, which is impossible under these very dry conditions.

Pelargonium glutinosum was all over the place. Near the rock-art sites, I sat on a rock and right next to me was a rather dry Otholobium swartbergense (Rare). There are two Aspalathus that could be special and Tritoniopsis revoluta, which was a first for me. Jan Vlok id'd Calpurnia intrusa, which I haven't seen very often. After some help from Mr Fab, one of the Psoraleas was id'd as Psoralea sordida, which has still to be evaluated for the Red List status. Common old Leucadendron salignum was stunning in scarlet. Good rains and Spring combined could give us a much better haul of Rares.

After a magical three days, we were sorry to leave. But it was "Au Revoir", because we will be back.

We went our separate ways on Saturday en route home. Jenny, Kath and Sandra took in Lisl Barry's exquisite art exhibition, "Birds of a Feather" at the KKNK in Oudtshoorn. Bill and I went east to recce the southern slopes of the Eastern Swartberg via Oulap. When we turned west for home, we took the road along the southern foothills of the Kammanassie below Mannetjiesberg. From afar the vegetation looks as if the post-burn regeneration is going well. "So many places - So little time!"

tanniedi

Die Klip is Dood
A lost rock-chase
When the Meijersrust family of six eland and larger than life owner Barry and wife Vivienne all arrived at the Stone Cottage early evening it was hard to decide where to look and who to listen to!

The farm comes with a host of its own stories! This one as told by Vivienne...............
Long, long ago two young boys visit. It is the erstwhile farm of their uncle. As boys do, they start scaling the koppie near the homestead, marking their progress and exuberance by throwing ever larger stones and later rocks – the higher they go. With energy and enthusiasm at its peak, they reach the top and nudge a massive rock down the slope.

In its path, on the farm house stoep, sits Ouma with a ‘stukkie hekelwerk’ - no match for a careening rock heading her way. It takes a fraction of a split second for the two lads to realise the potential ‘squashed Ouma’ outcome of their fervour. They chase after the crashing rock. By now Vivienne ís the story. Standing up, her arms and legs pumping urgently - exactly as those of the two boys in their frantic tearing rush after the ill-fated rock. Two thirds down the slope, a reprieve. A barrier diverts the rock away from dearest Ouma, but now it speeds straight towards the homes of the volkies (farm staff). The boys are way behind and frantic, but then see the rock come to a dead standstill.

Most of the farm staff froze and watched the oncoming, inevitable disaster with open mouths, but now they are all in motion - dancing around the still rock. Hearts bursting with terror the boys hear the volkies chant: ‘Dis dood! Dis dood!’ Mortification spurs them on. Who is dead? What is dead? One of the staff? A child? A dog, a rooster? Who, who, tell us!
‘Dis die klip. Die klip is dood’!

Sandra

A long weekend in the Baviaanskloof
20/24th March 2019
At last Evie made it into the Baviaanskloof. It has been on the list for some time. Nicky and I joined a South Cape Mountain Club meet. A few days beforehand we were told that a flash flood in the Kloof had resulted in our campsite being submerged by piles of river silt and black mud! Not wanting to miss out on the weekend we all said ”No problem" – knowing how much intense sunlight the area is exposed to, it will soon dry out.

Well – we arrived at Bokloof Campsite in the upper part of the Baviaanskloof, on Wednesday afternoon, to watch as piles of mud were being scraped away from the ablution block by an able team of workers. It was still muddy – we tried to choose the driest sites- in the full sun. We ended up having a wonderful camp – despite grovelling in the dirt for the first 2 days. Thereafter it did dry out. Luckily, this kind of dirt washes off easily in the shower and in the river. The rains and flash flood did make the access roads a bit more of an adventure into the unknown, and luckily added a lot more greenery to an area that has had a long and hard drought.

The Baviaanskloof is a remote area off the N9 in the Eastern Cape. The lower parts of the kloof are only accessible by 4X4s. Baviaans has that special, isolated and long forgotten old fashioned atmosphere. Amazing geology and sandstone rock features, with umpteen side gorges to explore. We had 3 days of exploring some of the smaller side kloofs cutting into the main Baviaans ridgeline on the northern side and a full day climbing up to reach a peak at 1242 m on the Ridgeline. The vegetation in the side kloofs was cool and green – mostly sandy dry riverbeds and super trees of all sizes. Special in this area is the Willowmore cedar (Widdringtonia schwarzii). Numerous colourful flowers, mostly Selago sp. exist in sunny corners. Nicky, who took photographs of all sorts of living bits in the kloof and on the hillsides will be making these available to all, once she posts them on iNat. For her, a first was the clump-forming stem-succulent Tridentea gemmiflora.

Obviously, I had to join the Peak outing - full sun all day, but at least there were some cool gusts at higher altitude. The fynbos was remarkable, and so very different to my normal outings into the Outeniqua mountains. Special Erica of the day – was E. pectinifolia – loads of bushes and small trees of this gorgeous hairy, pink and white large-tubed Erica. An unusual, and for me unknown, hairy tubular Erica was found only on the Peak area, while good populations of other Erica’s were possibly E. andreaei and E. rosacea. (Jen id'd the unknown Erica as E. sparrmanii - ed)

The Protea plants were certainly there - mostly only on higher ground, P. neriifolia, P. punctata, the pine-needle Leucadendron nobile – very special to this area, with numerous plants at higher altitude; Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. phillipsii, Leucospermum cuneiforme and royenifolium. At last I have seen an abundance of Agathosma mucronulata – it was all over the ridges. There was a dominance of grey Aspalathus kougaensis. Otherwise good populations of other Aspalathus, Agathosma, Phylica, and Selago species, all still to be id’d.

As always – far too much to absorb in one day of uphill. Glad to notice that there were no alien threats at all on high levels. Then the hot afternoon downhill run – and a lucky find “a big washed out gat’, in a flowing river on the way home.
Evie
..................................................................................................
De Grote Kosyn
MCSA hike on 17th March 2019
On Sunday 17th March I joined the MCSA hacking and alien removal hike to De Grote Kosyn led by Jane Luck. As meet leader, she kindly agreed that as the hike was a there-and-back, I could go at my own pace, photographing flowers, insects, frogs and whatever else caught my eye. I was keen to see what had changed since my last visit in 2017, which was shortly after the area had been burnt.

Although there were some puddles of water, the ground was dry and there was not the diversity of plants I have seen on previous visits. I did spot a Cape River Frog (Amietia fuscigula) trying very hard not to be seen in one of the muddy, shallow pools along the path and the large purple flowers of Polygala teretifolia could not be missed, but otherwise the vegetation looked rather sad. I found 4 plants of Hermannia bifaria. This is the Hermannia that David Gwynne Evans identified as a ‘lost’ specimen after my last visit. The name is still not recognised by iNaturalist.

Due to the lack of diversity and not taking so many photographs, I had time to walk through the section of Afrotemperate forest and into the tall fynbos on the other side. There the display of Ericas and Proteaceae was beautiful, even the odd Hakea that had escaped the clippers and panga wielders could not spoil the view.

While wandering through this head-high and higher fynbos, I met the first of the other hikers on their return to the cars. They had enjoyed a swim in the Grote Kosyn, but it was time for me to turn around and head back to the start, without even seeing the deep, water-worn fissure on the Palmiet River. Before long, all the hikers had passed me, but I don’t think I kept them waiting too long at the finish, most of my photography had been done on the way in!

Nicky

Field Trips
Currently the weather forecast is behaving very irrationally and can't make up its mind. So if it's hot and we can get permission from Heine Muller, SIM will be visiting Spioenkop to see Dioscorea burchelli in flower. If it's raining, we will do some more exploring on the northern side of the Robinson Pass. We will have more clarity by Wednesday evening.

LOT will be exploring a section of the Herbertsdale road on Thursday.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie
Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

South Africa

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geranicaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the current power outages.

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Posted on 02 de abril de 2019, 04:27 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

16 de abril de 2019

Minwater

Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
16th April 2019
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Til your good is better and your better is best"

St. Jerome

ALBUM 16th April 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Herbertsdale Road, Minwater, Holothrix brevipetala, Academic Achievements, some wonderful news about Lobostemon belliformis at Gourikwa and Cradock Pass in the Outeniquas. The ominous photo above was taken on Sunday evening before the huge windstorm hit George and Wilderness later that night. It reflects a very angry sky.
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For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Herbertsdale Road
Thursday 4th April 2019
Rusell and I went in search of Brunsvigia josephinae (VU) along the Herbertsdale Road on Thursday. We first saw it nearly 2 years ago, but we were completely out of luck this time. On the plus side, the veld regrowth is progressing well post-fire.

If you look long enough, there is always some reward. For us on Thursday, the flower of the day was the stunning, scarlet Gladiolus emiliae (NT). We counted 6 plants in flower. We also saw Gnidia chrysophylla (NT) - many new seedlings.

The striking, golden Bobartia robusta was all over the place, still making a wonderful show. Another attention-seeker was the exquisite Pelargonium carneum. And the "Cherry on the top" - just as we reached the car after fossicking for a couple of hours, the first drops of rain began to fall.

Gail

Minwater
Friday 5th April 2019
Our plans for the field trip on Friday were a bit vague. "Let's go and explore some of the foothills on the northern side of the Robinson Pass". Well that was the general idea, so how did we land up at Minwater? Well may you ask! We were driving along looking for a house where we could get permission, when suddenly we were at the gates of the quarry. A white bakkie driving by came to a screeching halt and with a huge look of surprise, Louis asked, "Maar waarnatoe gaan julle?" As "julle" didn't have much idea, Louis suggested that we go to his farm Minwater and he would get permission from various landowners for a visit to neighbouring properties sometime in the future.

Minwater is one of my favourite places on earth and Louis is one of my favourite people. He takes care of his land with passion and enthusiasm and he seems to know exactly where every plant grows on the property. A visit to his farm many years ago put us on the road to learning the plants of the Succulent Karoo. Combined with the Vlok Boekie, we nowadays have a working knowledge of the habitat type and the plants that grow there.

We were thin on the ground, with Nicky and Jen away and Mike otherwise occupied. Jo, Sandra and I, were all the Outramps could muster on the day and we had a wonderful morning fossicking. First of all, we popped in to show Jo the campsite. We are planning a 3 day trip there for early Spring. Louis said that there had been a bit of rain the day before and lots of termite activity confirmed this. In most places, the ground was already dry despite the rain. Many of the plants are looking very sad and many have gone beyond the point of no return.

But there was lots to find and enjoy. Firstly the rares - Pteronia hutchinsoniana (Rare) was over, with just the seedheads making the plants conspicuous. There was a Glottiphyllum which is probably rare, but we're not sure of the id. We will have to ask Louis which species it is. Sandra is hoping that we found Trichodiadema burgeri (Vulnerable). For the rest -
Vachellia karroo
Berkheya cuneata
Helichrysum zeyheri
Tylecodon reticulatus
Tylecodon paniculatus
Curio radicans
Euclea undulata
Crassula cultrata
Crassula tecta
Crassula cotyledonis
Crassula rupestris
Crassula muscosa
Pterona fasciculata
Pteronia pallens
Machairophyllum albidum
Portulacaria afra
Pachypodium succulentum and spinosum
Sceletium tortuosum
Macledium spinosum
Crassula orbicularis
Euphorbia heptagona
Crassula arborescens
Aptosimum indivisum
These were just some of the plants we saw.

The day was remarkable for the many miles that we could see without another person or dwelling or man-made structure in sight. The vast, empty spaces of the Karoo restore my soul and we are so privileged to have this on our doorstep.
Baie dankie Louis.

tanniedi

The Outramps are celebrating!
Two of our young graduated during the last week.This is what Brian du Preez aka The Boy or Mr. Fab had to say.
" On 5 April 2019 the final chapter of my Masters degree was written with the graduation ceremony taking place on a beautiful Stellenbosch autumn morning. Having taken on the genus Polhillia for masters, I was able to describe 4 new species in the genus, while sinking P. canescens under P. connata. The M.Sc Botany degree was awarded cum laude and I was absolutely thrilled with this, having never been academically inclined.

The next challenge on my plate is to take over Dr Brian Schrire's work and conduct a revision of the Indigofera of the GCFR. A massive challenge, as we estimate there to be 90-100 species in the region with 20-30 that are undescribed and several other combinations that may need resurrection. I have been accepted to complete my PhD at UCT and have been awarded a departmental fellowship in the Biological Sciences department under Prof. Muthama Muasya. So please be on the lookout for any interesting Indigoferas anywhere in the GCFR and please post lots of good quality photos onto iNaturalist".

We will endeavour to do so Brian. The Outramps are proud of you and we will always remember the day you joined us, an awkward teenager at the end of your first year doing a Nature Conservation Diploma. En kyk hoe lyk hy nou!

Jo-Anne King has very recently joined the Outramps. We first came into contact with her as the new Chairman of the Garden Route Branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa. This young girl is doing a sterling job. By and large, her Committee is a young one with young ideas. They have started all sorts of initiatives and I can see the Branch going from strength to strength. It is wonderful to see the energy and vitality that these youngsters bring to the table. They have our wholehearted support.

Jo-Anne graduated last Tuesday with a B.Com. Accounting degree. She is investigating the possibility of doing Honours/Masters with the Sustainibility Unit at Nelson Mandela University. This would combine her passion for conservation with her business knowledge.

We would love to walk part of her future journey at her side and we wish her all the best in her endeavours. We will give her all the help we can.

tanniedi

STOP PRESS

A window of opportunity has been opened for the survival of The Beautiful One (Lobostemon belliformis) at Gourikwa. It is Critically Endangered. Charl Wade of the Fire Protection Association based at Riversdale had this to say: "I have good news. We are going to start the above mentioned clearing in the next three weeks. The SCFPA will give the labour and Gourikwa will pay our transport costs." The plants are surrounded by Rooikrantz and the Outramps and Charl have been trying to get it cleared for about 10 years. At Last! We are celebrating! Dankie Charl.

Holothrix brevipetala
My visiting sister joined me on a seed-collecting trip at the top of the Robinson Pass (Kouma Trail). We made slow progress as Lucy stopped every few meterfgvs for a closer look at all things natural. She turned up some fun things, such as the teeny empty insect eggs on the overhang of a boulder. Anyway, thanks to our glacial speed I noticed what otherwise would have been easily overlooked: a single leafless specimen of Holothrix brevipetala. While not boasting any fancy letters after its name, it is said to be found just occasionally, mostly after fire, from October to January.

It doesn't seem to have been recorded at this location (on iNat) and the only Outramp with the species on her list is Nicky (Montagu Pass railway). Another orchid to watch out for!

Sally

Cradock Pass
Wednesday 9th April 2019
The last time that we walked the Cradock Pass and parked at the Ou Tol, one of the BM's windows was broken by vandals. We were reluctant to repeat this rather costly performance. So this time we parked on the northern side of the Montagu Pass just above North Station and Bill and I walked up the very steep path to the Nek and then down to the railway line on the southern side and back again. We met a small group of WAGS at the railway line. They had parked at Ou Tol and were walking down the Montagu Pass to the cars.

The regeneration of the veld is phenomenal. Proteaceae are springing up all over the place. Bobartia aphylla is going over, but the plants have produced millions of seeds. On the northern side, Watsonia fourcadei carpets the slopes and will be breathtaking when it flowers. On the southern side, the ferns are having a field day. The dominant species are Todea barbara and Blechnum tabulare.

Cape Nature have done a great job of repairing the path. Rocks have been put in the grooves that have been carved out by the SOS (Skelms on Scramblers). Do wish that someone would put them in jail for a night to meditate on their sins. Steps have been cut into the steeper bits and drainage furrows are in place. Lots of work has also been done on the neightbouring Flanagans Rock Hike. Good work, Cape Nature!

Rares seen on the day
Psoralea trullata (Rare)
Erica unicolor subsp. georgensis (Rare)
Leucadendron conicum (Near Threatened)

And then we all gathered together afterwards at the George Golf Course for some social interaction and a cool one. A magnificent day out in the Outeniquas on one of my all-time favourite hikes. Thank you Marge.

tanniedi

Field Trips
It looks as if Nicky, Bill and I will be the only takers for a field trip over the Easter weekend. We will decide on our destination later on in the week.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape
South Africa

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc AnneLise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geranicaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the current power outages.

Posted on 16 de abril de 2019, 05:23 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

23 de abril de 2019

The Stone Walls of De Hoek

The Stone Walls of De Hoek
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
23rd April 2019

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop".

Confucius

https://photos.app.goo.gl/F6CTRgxtj1ZQsoaQ8 - ALBUM Tuesday 23rd April 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Leopard Trail in the Langeberg, Robberg Corridor on the coast, a puzzling Gladiolus from the Klein Swartberg and De Hoek in the Groot Swartberg.

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Leopard Trail in the Langeberg
HAT Evie’s report
Spending a weekend with the South Cape section of the MCSA at the “Langeberg Leopard Trail Bushcamp” allowed me to once again really enjoy the Fynbos. What a treat to walk through vast slopes of unburnt Fynbos. At this moment, our local areas in George are still at the slow recovery stage after burns 6 month ago. I was reminded how beautiful it is. There were huge hillsides of Protea Fynbos - creams and pinks on Protea aurea subsp. aurea with its “candlestick” new buds. Protea neriifolia in red, while Protea repens was mostly decorative pointed cones. Protea nitida showed off with red, new-growth leaves.

Then higher up the Erica Fynbos – decked out in bales of deep magenta-pink. Amazing splashes of colour! I had to get right up to the rounded terminal heads of flowers to notice the white hairy bits. Erica similis it is. Another very distinctive Erica - Erica grandiflora subsp grandiflora in bright orange and gold, with pine needle-like leaves, very much an E. vestita look alike. Other dominant Ericas were, E. plukenetii, E. articularis and on the lower open ground E. peltata. Muraltia species were well represented in deep purples.

On a less enthusiastic note – after walking 7 to 8 km through pristine Fynbos (no aliens visible), we rounded a corner turning into a deep, long, protected valley. What greets us – loads of Hakea trees (Hakea sericea) in all sizes? This continued along the old contour path towards the now disused Nooitgedacht Hut. The Hakea has found a good niche.

On the downhill return to our campsite at the “Leopard Trail Bushcamp” – super views across the Overberg. On closer inspection it was scary to note how dominant the individual Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsia) forests are on the farms bordering the Langeberg foothills.

Other huge eyesores are the utterly enormous covered citrus orchards. The locals tell us the structures have been initiated by overseas investors (?? Spanish). In Spain orange trees grow in their own fully automated and controlled microclimate. This reminds me of images I have seen of “plasticultura” southwest of Almeira in Spain. There an area of 20,000 hectares is covered in plastic roofed structures below the backdrop of the purple ‘Sierra de Gador” mountains. Is this the future of agriculture in the Overberg? Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Langeberg?? I shudder at the thought.
For images visit: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/08/the-greenhouses-of-almeria.html

And thus, the long day’s hike eventually ended – HAT Evie was able to plunge to her hearts content in a huge, fresh, mountain stream dam near the bush camp, where we were to sleep our second night. A lovely campsite and a great weekend. All to replace our original booking for the Swellendam Trail. We are told by CapeNature that the huts are still being renovated and the trail remains closed. For how much longer??

Evie

Robberg Corridor
12th April 2019
For most of the day there was a chilly wind swirling tendrils of mist around. It was our first visit to this property, which is in the process of being incorporated into the Robberg Corridor. RC is a stewardship initiative between the owners and CapeNature to preserve this wonderful stretch of coastal fynbos. This newest addition is owned by Jean More, who asked us to visit and make a species list for the property via iNat observations.

Post-fire, the major problem is that the aliens like Port Jackson and Rooikrantz are coming up like grass. Jean has had a couple of guys hand-pulling these out for ages on a daily basis. She has clear areas to show for it, but it is a daunting exercise and she could really do with some help. As part of the Robberg Corridor Conservation Initiative, would there be any assistance forthcoming from organisations like "Working for Water or Working on Fire"? Carlo, I would be grateful if you could give us some guidance here.

We were very pleased to see plenty of Acmadenia alternifolia (Vulnerable) thriving in the clear patches. Also present was a scattering of Oxalis pendulifolia (Near Threatened) on most of the land. We are sure that Muraltia knysnaensis (Endangered) is lurking under the forest of aliens, but we were unable to find any plants.

Here is the link to the specific iNat place - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
And below is the link to the entire Robberg Corridor Project https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8

After a very pleasant walk and fossick over the property, we returned to the house to a sumptuous lunch cooked by Susan, who could teach me a thing or two about preparing food. Or is it too late teach the old bitch new tricks"? Thank you Jean for a very pleasant morning and please don't lose heart. It is so essential that we have people who think and act as you do in the greater Southern Cape community.
Sterkte!

tanniedi

STOP PRESS
Peter and Werner found a rather mysterious Gladiolus on a recent trip to Buffelspoort in the Klein Swartberg. Peter said, "I've been through the Glad book a billion times and I can't seem to ID it. I'd love some help. It's also strange to see it flowering at this time of year. It looks like a Glad I'd expect from the Boland".

So we sent the iNat link to Jan Vlok.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/22597566

His reply, "The Glad is something that has been ‘a thorn in the flesh’ for me for several years. It is currently regarded as an autumn-flowering version of Gladiolus rogersii. Sure you will be equally surprised at this verdict. It has several distinct characters, including the almost terete leaf and hard corm tunics. However frustrating, I do understand why Goldblatt & Manning came to this conclusion. There are a great many variations of typical spring-flowering Gladiolus rogersii (including the once recognised Gladiolus rogersii var. vlokii) that links up to these Swartberg plants. At the other end of the spectrum there is a bright pink, late spring flowering version of Gladiolus rogersii on the Kamanassie mountains that looks equally distinct. For the time being we will have to regard them all as one species".

Jan Vlok

De Hoek stonewalls the Ancients
17th April 2019
Advancing years and a wide range of injuries have all contributed to slowing the ancients down and there was no way we could keep up with our younger compatriots at De Hoek on Wednesday. After a vigorous argument (which Bill won), we went up anti-clockwise to the nek, where the track branches off to Gouekrans. This very steep section of the path is out of general use and was pretty bushed at times. Aspalathus shawii subsp. shawii (one of a series of plants known by the Outramps as Horribilis maximus) was the main very prickly contributor to our discomfort. At the nek we decided, "Discretion is the better part of Valour" and descended down again. The only plant with possible conservation status seen on this stretch was an Argyrolobium, which still needs to be id'd. The Proteaceae regeneration is going well.

I much prefer the clockwise direction which takes you up to some wide plains that are dissected by numerous small streams and are covered with interesting plants. It is particularly the way to go if you are doing a thereandback. However, I lost that argument...............

The rest of the party did the whole Circuit and reported similar findings to ours. They spotted Leucadendron tinctum (Near Threatenend) on the plains after the river crossing and the steep climb up out of the kloof. They had a wonderful day on this spectacular trail in the high Swartberg Mountains. Once again, I make an impassioned plea to CapeNature to open this magnificent trail to the hiking public. It is truly one of the best in South Africa.

An amazing feature - stone walls that cross the foothills for miles and miles. The theory mooted is that the farmers built these to contain livestock. It must have been very hard work, demonstrating that our forbears were certainly tougher than we are today. That is of course, with the exception of "Oom Willie van die Berge". After a long layoff after a catastrophic fall, he is fighting to regain his fitness. Watch this space!

And after years and years of visiting, we are finally making friends with Regina and Nellie, the Aunties at the gate. This time I got a huge welcome from Nellie and a hug to go with it. It was worth waiting for!

tanniedi

Field Trips
This week we are doing an Overnighter to Oukraal at Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. We are keen to see the progress of the regeneration of the Fynbos post-fire. We will hike up Tierkloof, spend the night at Oukraal and then hike down the western boundary back to the offices. We are so looking forward to that.

Susan Campbell has given us permission to walk on her property, Endlovana, on Friday 26th April. We will walk down the road towards the coast. I will park a car there to bring everyone/drivers up. Hike suitable for all. I will meet Outramps at the gate at 8.30am. Please let me (Nicky) know if you would like to join us.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie
Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape
South Africa

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc AnneLise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geranicaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary
MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the current power outages.

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CREW Outramps · PO Box 2991 · Mossel Bay, WC 6500 · South Africa

Posted on 23 de abril de 2019, 05:26 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário