Ferncliffe Nature Reserve, 16 June, 2022
Report by David Hockly
Chilly Youth Day 16th June. Seventeen members assembled in the parking lot (Keg and Hedgehog) where our leader Graham met all and directed us in convoy to the entrance where we parked our cars.
Ferncliffe was once part of a vast tract of mistbelt forest, by 1861 most of the indigenous timber had been removed and afforested with commercial timber species. The Nature Reserve Ferncliffe, was named as a Site of Conservation Significance in 1993.
According to an article published in the Daily Mavrick 2021-09-02 “Our Burning Planet” Connor Cullinan and Janine Stephan have made it their mission to restore the reserve back to its original state by removing all alien vegetation that has taken over the area and allow the natural forest to reclaim the open spaces by planting and nurturing appropriate species. This was evident at the picnic site where Henkel’s Yellowwood (Podacarpus Henkelii) had been planted.
After our brief update we made our way along cleared paths
which crisscross mountain bike trails. The degree of alien plant invasion
became evident with pockets of bamboo, bugweed, Kahil ginger lily, inkberry,
Cestrum, Lantana and Mauritius thorn (Bramble).
Pockets of primary forests remain with mature Lemonwood (Xymalos Monospora) Quinene (Rauvolfia caffra) Henkelys yellowwood (Podocarpus Henkelii) Cabbage
Tree and a riot of creepers.
One can see how Boulder Dam got is name from the
huge boulders on the escarpment
By lunchtime most had stripped down and all were grateful for the sun when we reached the picnic site where all tucked into energy food and liquid. After a short break we made our way to Breakfast Rock via the waterfall situated behind the old stone shed and guttered remains of homestead once belonging to English stonemason Jesse Smith, who provided stone for city buildings such as the local Tatham Art Gallery.
The Smith family arrived in Durban in 1850 and settled here in the hills, then called the Hogsback. The property was later sold to the Mason family, who would apparently, when staying in the cottage, sent signals to the rest of the family in town by flashing a mirror from Breakfast Rock
This is an excellent article on Ferncliffe courtesy of The Witness
As we passed Breakfast Rock, Graham pointed out that the numerals 1888 had been inscribed on the rock face.
1888 the meaning: Angel number brings uplifting message of encouragement – achievements, success, striving forward and attainment (Wikipedia)
What happened in 1888: (Wikipedia)
- The great blizzard of 1888 strikes the East Coast of United States
- Jack the Ripper first victim was discovered in London
- Fredrick III became German Emperor and King of Prussia
To conclude, I think the date inscribed on Breakfast Rock has no historically significant meaning relating to the history of Ferncliffe Nature Reserve and like the alien vegetation should be removed
We arrived back at the cars about 14h00 only to find that that Debbie’s bakkie was firmly stuck, thank goodness for a Toyota which lived up to its reputation and pulled her out.
Thanks to Graham for leading the hike through the reserve and sharing all his knowledge.
“Several stonemasons quarried sandstone in the Ferncliffe area in the early days, although Smith’s name lived on seemingly because of the excellence of his technical skills and products as well as his financial acumen. Smith’s many commissions in Pietermaritzburg included the foundation and base of the original City Hall, the old Grey’s Hospital, the Colonial Buildings, St Peter’s Cathedral, the Pietermaritzburg Post Office, some of the buildings at Fort Napier, the statue of Queen Victoria (see picture left) …”
The Witness, 17 December, 2021