Travelling from Porterville

by Diana Studer
- gardening for biodiversity in Porterville, near Cape Town in South Africa

He took our header photo in June as we walked thru vineyards, wheat fields or orchards, with horses, cattle and sheep.

Railway line in Porterville June 2011

The Story of Elephant’s Eye

Chapter 8 
Why Porterville?

Each Nguni carries a different pattern with its own name and significance for the Zulu people. Ever since the first Nguni post was published – Nguni have been my most popular downloads!

Nguni between Porterville and Piketberg in February 2011

We chose Porterville to hike on the nearby mountain. We travel up the Dasklip Pass just beyond the town. To Groot Winterhoek World Heritage Site (3/4 hour). This time – we found the sunshine bush, a Leucadendron. In 2009 there was a fire on our mountain and we saw ash and charcoal become lush green and fire lilies.

Yellow Leucadendron  in August 2011

Malgas lilies near Moutonshoek (3/4 hour) right place, right time!

Malgas lilies near Moutonshoek in April 2012

At Driehoek (2 hours) in the Cederberg my husband volunteers with the Cape Leopard Trust.

Mountain stream at Driehoek in the Cederberg September 2011

We also chose Porterville to see the spring flowers along the West Coast and up to Namaqualand via Clanwilliam. The West Coast Park and Langebaan Lagoon (1 1/2 hours). Heading North to Clanwilliam (1  ¼ hours) flowers in the Flower Church with rooibos tea, and in the Ramskop Nature Garden.

Namaqualand poem by D.J. Opperman
Clanwilliam Flower Church August 2007

Over the mountains to the Klein Karoo around Worcester (1 ¼ hours) for the inspiration behind our aloe and succulent covered Karoo Koppie. The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden.

Namaqualand at the Eden Project July 2009

A full day’s travelling to Namaqualand, staying at Skilpad the Namaqua National Park. Our newest National Botanical Garden, specifically for renosterveld is the Hantam (3 hours).

Hantam bulbs in September 2011

Then the West Coast and the sea. Time it right as you head for Verlorenvlei (1 hour) and you will wonder if the drifts of white, are sand, or a sea of annual white rain daisies! At the mouth of the Berg River near the salt works (1 hour) there are birds on the tidal marshes. At Rocher Pan (1 1/4 hours) sitting alone, gazing out to sea. I see nothing but the sea. I hear nothing but the waves. A grey winter day in August or brilliant sunshine in December.

At Rocher Pan on the beach March 2011

Bird Island Lambert’s Bay (1 ¾ hours) with Cape gannets and fishing for diamonds. Cape Columbine (1 1/2 hours) where we found brash red Pelargonium fulgidum growing wild on granite, rocky outcrops.

There are small country towns and wine estates to explore. Citrusdal Victorian spa in our neighbouring town (1 hour). Fairview (1 hour) goats and cheese with Goats Do Roam on their wine label.

Goats Do Roam
Goat tower at Fairview March 2010

We’ve been to Franschhoek (1 ¾ hours) for open gardens, Mont Pellier and one of Monty Don's 80 gardens in 2010. To Rustenberg (2 hours) for the Rare Plants Sale in 2009. Klein Optenhorst (1 hour) open garden in neighbouring Wellington. Finally Vondeling (1 ¼ hours) within the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative.

Chapter 7 was The Policeman and the Prima Donna

Pictures by Diana Studer
of Elephant's Eye

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