Florida Hiking and Adventure Club

Date: Sunday 28 August

Venue: Segwati Ranch, Broederstroom

Cost: Members: R45.00, non-members R50.00

Tuesday 26 July

Golden Reef Road Runners Club
Andrew Street, Horizon, Roodepoort
Presention by Astri & John Leroy – Mehloding Trail, Southern Drakesberg

7 for 7.30 pm

For this and the August Club Night we will be meeting in the Pub at the hall again. It worked very well last month, is much warmer and very cosy. Please join us for Astri & John’s presentation. Hope to see as good a turnout as last month. We will be selling boerewors rolls, coffee and hot chocolate etc as well as the usual drinks.

Future Club Nights:

Tuesday 30 August  – Quiz Evening

Tuesday 27 September – “Spring Fever” – bring and braai

Tuesday 25 October – Photographic Competition

Tuesday 29 November – NO CLUB NIGHT. Last function for the year will be on Sunday 27 November when we will have a short day hike followed by a buffet lunch at Glenburn Lodge

 Date: Sunday 31 July

Venue: Uitkyk, Hartbeespoort (A jewel of the Magaliesberg)

Cost: Members: R60.00, Non-Members: R65.00

Be there by 8 am (Joan will supply directions/maps to all who book)

 Offers hikers the opportunity to enjoy an exhilirating and rewarding walk in the protected natural area of the Magaliesberg.  It is highly recommended by both seasoned hikers and casual walkers who have enjoyed the breath-taking views of the Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounds.  Nature lovers enjoy the variety it offers as it passes through woodland, rocky kloofs and over grassy hillsides.  Distance about 9 km.  Will take about 5 hours with stops.  Not difficult, but pretty strenuous. Carry a light, packed lunch to enjoy at the top while we admire the stunning view. Take plenty of water.

Tuesday 28 June

Golden Reef Road Runners Club
Andrew Street, Horizon, Roodepoort
Presention by Peter Greaves – Beyond the Arctic Circle

7 for 7.30 pm

Peter Greaves will be coming to talk to us about his trip to the Arctic. It sounds fascinating – here is a short introduction.

In July 2008 Peter flew to Edinburgh from Johannesburg and the next day boarded the Fred Olsen lines ship “Boudicca” for a 14 night cruise along the coast of Norway and from “North Cape” sailed north for 36 hours to Svalbard (aka Spitsbergen). Time ashore was spent at several places on route and after 24 hours in Longyearbyen the ship sailed north to Ny Alesund which is the most northerly community that is inhabited year round. The most northerly position reached was 79^o 59’ 59.6” (just a stone’s throw short of 80^o north) where we ran into pack ice. Our location was just 1100kms from the North Pole.

The time was full summer so the sun was above the horizon for 10 consecutive days and bird and wildlife was moving 24 hours a day. The photographic opportunities from the stern of a ship in these latitudes will be experienced by members as we relive this journey as far north as a non icebreaker can sail.

We will be charging a small entrance fee: R15 for members and R20 for non members. Do come along and support us.

Date: Sunday 26 June

Venue: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort

Cost: Adults: R25.00, 60+: R20.00, Children: R10:.00 (please try and have the right money)
We will meet in the car park, near the flag poles at 8 am.

We will be walking along the ridge and then coming back down into the Garden for a picnic lunch. Please note that no braais are permitted. You can leave your picnic lunch and chairs in your cars and collect them after the hike. Please ensure that you keep your admissions receipt as you will need this to come back in again.

There is a concert in the Garden on that day if anyone wishes to stay for it. This is an Old Mutual Concert so it starts later than the Sappi ones. Jannie Moolman & Joseph Clark will be performing from 3 pm.
Joan is going to be away until Friday 24th June so please just drop her an email if you intend coming so we can get an idea of the numbers: joanc@telkomsa.net.  If you need to speak to her she will be available from Saturday 25th on 011 955 1618 or 083 890 4298. You may also contact Sheila on the Friday or Saturday if you need more details or a map – 082 744 7172 or s.head.sa@gmail.com
 

Future Day Hikes

Sunday 31 July – Uitkyk, Hartebeespoort Dam

Sunday 28 August – Segwati Ranch, Broederstroom

Sunday 25 September – Van Gaalen Cheese Farm – Mountain top hike

JUNE 24 – 26 : EYE VIEW HIKING TRAIL – RUSTENBURG / KOSTER @ R230 MEMBERS / R260 NON-MEMBERS
BASE CAMP –  A MUST HIKE!! All nature lovers, bird watchers and keen hikers. Only 135km from Pretoria, outside Rustenburg on the Koster road. There are 2 well planned, day circular trails with stunning panoramic views – from there the name “Eye View”. These trails are moderate trails and will suit all levels of hikers. The base camp is situated on top of the mountain, a communal bush kitchen, donkey showers, flushing loos, electric lights.
Members R230 / Non-members R260

Tuesday 31 May
Golden Reef Road Runners Club
Andrew Street, Horizon, Roodepoort
QUIZ EVENING
7 for 7.30 pm

This is going to be a FUN evening not to be missed. All those who listen to Talk Radio 702 will have heard their search to find the Brain of 702 a couple of months ago. Well, our quest on 31 May will be to find the brain of Florida Hiking Club! For the uninitiated, the idea is that you play in pairs. Each person is asked separately a list of questions against a clock. The one who gets the most correct answers  in the alloted time then goes forward to a quarter final, semi final and the grand finale. Do come along and join in the fun …. bring friends and family …. all are welcome. Please help to make this evening a success. The committee goes to a lot of trouble to think up different things to do and we would really appreciate your support. We will be selling pies for supper and drinks will be available as usual. Hope to see you all there.

 Future Club Nights:

28 June – Peter Greaves will give us a presentation on his Trip to the Arctic.

Date: Sunday 29 May
Venue: Melville Koppies, Johannesburg
Cost: Adult members R35.00 / non-members R40.00.  Children 10:00
Hike starts promptly at 8 am. Gates CLOSE and no late-comers allowed.

We will be doing the 2-Koppies Hike, which takes approximately 3 hours.  It is not a guided tour, but the hike will be led by Wendy from Melville Koppies.
 
Park at the Marks Park Sports Complex in Judith Road at 7.30 a.m.  Pay Joan Clark on the day.  From there we will cross the road to Melville Koppies entrance.

There are no braai or picnic facilities, but we can go to the restaurant at Marks Park afterwards for a social gathering (coffee, lunch or whatever).
 
Please let Joan know by Friday 27 May 2011 if you are coming.  e-mail joanc@telkomsa.net.  Phones:  011 955 1618 or 083 890 4298
 

Future Day Hikes

Sunday 26 June – Hike along the ridge at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, followed by picnic concert.

Sunday 31 July – Uitkyk, Hartebeespoort Dam

A party of 12 hikers (made up of 8 members and 4 non-members) set of on Friday 22^nd for the Shipwreck hike starting at Port Alfred Eastern Beach and walking to the mouth of the Great Fish River. The distance was approx 64km plus extra to visit the Light House and the approx 18km of canoeing up and back on the Kleinemonde West River.

We stayed at Gariep Dam on Friday night and arrived in Port Alfred on Saturday where we all met for lunch. We all arrived at the backpackers in the afternoon where we had to sort out all the food etc for the slack packing which they arrived to collect on Sunday morning. For 12 people it was a little crowded but clean. Sunday morning all was sorted and marked for each day. It was collected and delivered to our overnight huts daily. We always had food and drinks. Michelle one of the non-members even managed to find fresh oysters.

Sunday we were collected and taken to the start of the hike. Dave the hike organizer explained the route and gave us maps to help. We stayed in a variety of accommodation and it was all good. Very basic. Our last day we stayed at Stone Cottage which had all the mod cons, a great way to end the hike.

 We walked along the beach every day and ended up walking in land to the overnight huts. The beaches were really lovely and clean except once you got to the built up areas. Most of the time we had great weather, just very windy. The walk down to the Three Sisters Rocks was worth the trip. The next day we did our canoe trip. The canoes were in good condition. That was +- 9km each way but we had gale force winds blowing the wrong way but we finally arrived at the hut. It was hard work but the bird life and scenery was amazing.

We also had the option to walk to the Light House which was an extra 5km walk but well worth it. It was in pristine condition. When we finished the hike at the Fish River Mouth we all headed to the Great Fish Diner and ended the 6 days with guess what!!!!!!!! Fish and chips and of course wine and beer.

 A great end to 6 lovely days and great company.

 All had a safe trip home.

 Barbara Cairns

Please note that there will be NO CLUB NIGHT IN APRIL. The last Tuesday in April falls immediately after Easter and the Wednesday is also a public holiday. In addition, there are two long hikes during that time so many of our members will be away.  In view of this, the Committee decided to cancel.

31 May -  Quiz Evening to find the “The Brain of Florida Hiking Club”.  Watch this space for more details ….

28 June – Peter Greaves will give us a presentation on his Trip to the Arctic.