by Ralph Pina | May 3, 2023 | Featured Posts, Grasslands National Park, hiking
During April we three MCSA Stellenbosch section members – Sonja, Paul and me – made the long trek to that part of the Eastern Cape that forms the southern border with Lesotho, to participate in the MCSA national mini-camp hosted by the Free State section.... 
by Ralph Pina | Oct 30, 2022 | Featured Posts, France, Le Lot
After the hugely enjoyable canal boat trip on the Canal du Midi five years ago, another French self-navigating boating holiday was always in our future. With seven months of long leave due before retirement, the opportunity presented itself and we convinced the... 
by Ralph Pina | Oct 7, 2022 | Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve, cycling
After an absence of five years, a cycling trip to the Baviaanskloof was required. We planned it according to our usual, proven format: a small group of riders (6) who are accompanied by two vehicles (2 drivers), short to moderate distances per day and a leisurely pace... 
by Ralph Pina | Feb 15, 2021 | kloofing, Limietberg Nature Reserve
When Paul suggested a lockdown escape to Cascades in Du Toitskloof, with a little abseiling involved, I thought it a decent idea. I knew that the MCSA often scrambled up it and abseiled down the next day. My conclusion was that if you can scramble up it, it... 
by Ralph Pina | Jan 24, 2021 | conservation, De Hoop Nature Reserve, hiking, trails
As South Africa emerged from the hard lockdown in mid-2020, I became desperate to escape to the outdoors. On the off-chance that the Whale Trail was open, I contacted Cape Nature and easily obtained a booking for the trail in January 2021. The hugely popular trail was...
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