Yesterday we spent a lovely day in immersed in nature… We went mountain biking in a nature reserve called Suikerbosrand… It is such a beautiful place and we will definately be returning there soon. We loaded up our mountain bikes and reached our destination within about 45 minutes, really close by… I haven’t visited for quite a few years, I used to go hiking there when I was much younger… Now they have biking trails, a meditation hut, safari drives, a bird sanctuary AND a Butterfly Reserve… Jenna, Erin and Caiden in the photo above so enjoyed this beautiful environment…
Here we are hiking across the veld (long grass) to a welcoming shady tree, where we all sat down to a picnic lunch. This beautiful tree is called a Cabbage Tree / Highveld Protea (Cussonia paniculata). They have been given this name because their leaves and texture are a similar to that of cabbage leaf. The people who lived in this area many years before used to carve drinking vessels and wooden figures from the wood from this tree.
Jenna sitting under the Cabbage tree before we set off on our bikes again…
These are the Museum houses at Suikerbosrand… This area was a Pioneer farm that was owned by Jan Gabriel Marais and his wife around the year 1845… I love history…
I had to photograph this, it was an entire flock of sparrows sitting on the power lines together, just watching us riding by…
Here is a lovely find, the yellow markings on this rock is Lichen, they are primitave plants that are flat and small. They are so beautiful…
Richard has a special seat for Kye, that our friend made that fits onto the cross bar of his bike. It is just like a bicycle seat and attached to it are footrests. This is attached firmly to Richard’s bike. Kye enjoys long rides with dad…
The view was spectacular… have a wonderful New Years Day…
Wonderful pictures – what a great day, much warmer than rainy Italy. Happy New Year x
Hello Sharon,
Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you for your new year wishes and your kind words about my photos:)
Warmly
Linda
Hello dear Linda
Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may it be a truly blessed year for you. What a lovely day out in the sunshine. such beautiful clear blue sky and open space..
stunning photos linda! looks like a magical place. many blessings in the new year, love!
Oh Linda, what GORGEOUS pictures these are. It looks like a lovely way to welcome in a new year.
Happy new year Linds! Is this not a lovely time of year for us. The weather has been glorious and time with family has been precious. Lovely pictures of your hike.
Wishing you all the best for 2010.
Love
Suez
Happy Happy New Year! These photos are so amazing. The boys are on my lap right now, and I just had them go over to the globe to show them where you are, and what area of the world they are looking at.
What a great way you brought in the New Year!
Hello dear Kelly,
Thanks for your New Year wishes, it is lovely to hear from you:) It was glorious to be out there in the open with the sunshine…
Warmly
Linda
Hello Rae,
Thanks about the photos and for your New Year blessings and thank you for stopping by:)
Warmly
Linda
Tammy it is always wonderful to see you visit here, thanks so much about the photos, it was a lovely day.
Warmly
Linda
Hello Heather,
Thank you for visiting today and thank you for your New Year wishes. That was so sweet that you showed your boys how far away we are… insn’t the internet amazing…
Warmly
Linda
Hello Suez
Thanks for popping in:) The weather has been wonderful, Happy New Year to you too my friend…
Warmly Linds
Beautiful views indeed Linda! Happy new year to you and your family!
love,
sara
Hello Sara,
Thanks so much for your new year wishes:)
Warmly
Linda
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photographs. I wish you all the best for the new year!
Yes, indeed…a happy new year’s day! Wow. What a beautiful place. Bike trails and even a meditation hut! We went for a short walk today in-between the rains. What fun to see how sunny it is in your part of the world.
Hello Linda
Wow, thank you for sharing some more of the beauty of your area! What a wonderful place to spend the day.
Wishing you and your family a very happy new year!
Love, Renee
Dearest Dawn, Jennifer and Renee
Thank you so much for your lovely comments and your new year wishes:) It is so wonderful to have you all visit here:)
Warmly
Linda
Oh! Beautiful! And so very warm…..
Happy New Year and all the best for you and your family for the year 2010.
Wow, what beautiful scenery you guys have there.
Looks like it was a wonderful trip!
:0)
Have a great day!
Sue
Happy new year to you and your family, lovely photos.
Stefanie
Hello Sue and Stefanie,
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your New Year wishes, I really appreciate your comments
Warmly
Linda
What a wonderful family day! The pictures are just beautiful– love the bright green of the grass and that red rock at the water’s edge. The photo of the birds on the wire is so poetic. It’s fascinating to see Africa. I would love to go there some day.
Wow! Gorgeous pictures! My girls are now saying we need to save for a trip to South Africa…when my brother comes home from his mission there. We’ll have to see about that, but boy am I tempted
I’m late to this, but may I say how lovely a ride that was? Again, just seeing this green, and your family all together – it’s very good for my soul these days. I love the birds on a wire.