DAY HIKE IN THE DARGLE WITH BAREND BOOYSEN - SUN 11 JUNE 2017 - LEADER KEITH ASHTON

Report and photos courtesy of KEITH ASHTON

[CLICK ON PHOTOS TO VIEW FULLSIZE - or view pics in accompanying SIMPLEVIEWER Presentation]



As a dedicated conservationist Barend leads a two hour walk on the first Thursday of every month through his beloved Kilgobbin Forest from his and his wife Helen's lovely home in the Dargle, passing on his expert knowledge of the fauna and flora in such an entertaining and informative way. Barend does this to educate all and sundry to assist in the protection of our indigenous forests and the environment in general.

Having known Barend for over 35 years I generally arrange with him once a year to lead us on a full day hike of about 12 km through his beloved forest and onwards to include other areas of the beautiful Dargle which surround his property. It is a very popular hike and today was no exception with 23 participants.

We left our vehicles in the parking area of Crab Apple Chapel, Barend being instrumental in the building of the chapel. After being welcomed by many of Barend's dogs, chickens and Helen's horses etc we assembled on the veranda of Barend and Helen's beautiful home and then made our way into Kilgobbin Forest which is part of the Dargle Conservancy. Gently walking through this enchanting forest is like being in a fairy tale which enhances all our senses and Barend amazes us with his detailed knowledge of the fauna and flora as he imparts his knowledge in such a passionate and enthralling way. The photographs illustrate this better than more words).


1. Start of the hike from the veranda of Barend and Helen's beautiful home
2. Entering the lovely indigenous forest
3. Take note of how to treat a Nature Reserve and its inhabitants
4. Christa takes photos of plants near a saw pit
5. Deep in the beautiful forest
6. Barend, an expert on everything in their forest explains about the trees and plants etc
7. Barend in full flow about the wonders of the indigenous forest
8. Our hikers appreciating the wonders of nature
9. That's a great knobthorn tree trunk but not good as a fireman's pole
10. Our group at a lovely viewpoint as Barend raises his binocs to view a raptor overhead

Eventually we exit the forest and climb into the surrounding grasslands which Barend also knows so well. We then stride out across the grasslands taking in beautiful views all around us as we climb higher and just when we need it we reach a very small stream with crystal clear water to quench our thirst and re-fill our water bottles. At the top of our climb we reach the ruin of an old fisherman's retreat, but not a successful venture, which appears to be in the middle of nowhere.

From the ruin we made our way to a lovely spot to enjoy our lunch under the shade of a beautiful big tree.


11. Lovely country view after exiting the forest
12. Now assembled well above Barend's Kilgobbin Cottage
13. Our large group striding out towards the horizon
14. Our hikers still making good pace to the horizon
15. A convenient small stream to quench our thirst and re-fill water bottles
16. Passing an isolated windmill driven water pump
17. Heading towards the isolated old fisherman's retreat - now in ruins
18. Alistair and the secret hat man inside the ruin
19. Stark view of the old fisherman's retreat ruin
20. A Lovely spot for lunch in the shade of an old tree

After lunch it was gently downhill until we reached Old Kilgobbin and were welcomed by the impressive horses at "Horseplay". We inspected "The Old Cairn of Kilgobbin" and all the plaques celebrating the marriages of many couples at this venue before making our way back to our parked vehicles after a very enjoyable day.

A couple of extracts from the sign as you enter Kilgobbin Forest Walk read "You are now entering a wilderness area, home to a wonderfully diverse community of fauna and flora. Please tread lightly as you go and respect all life-forms who call this home" - "And remember - Take nothing from here except wonderful memories and leave nothing but your footprints. Enjoy the wonders of this place. Barend and Helen"

Thanks to all our participants and special thanks to Barend for sharing his precious time with us on this memorable day.

Keith


21. A welcoming horse as we start to approach Horseplay and Old Kilgobbin
22. More of the gentle horses at Horseplay
23. Old stables converted into a barn reception area for weddings at Old Kilgobbin
24. A close-up of the ever-changing sign on the barn
25. The Cairn of Old Kilgobbin with the wedding plaques
26. A close-up of a wedding plaque on the Cairn of Old Kilgobbin


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