Hiking Platteklip Gorge - there is no easy way

Pictures and story copyright www.alexaitkenhead.co.za

 Hiking to the top of Platteklip gorge has no mercy for the unfit... this route is just straight up.

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 once you get to the top, the view is always rewarding

 we ventured off the beaten track to enjoy a quiet moment with the view and a coffee... unbeknown to us the 'locals' decided to pay us a visit...

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 during our escape from the barbarian hordes at the top - who took the easy up the cable car, we thought we were alone...

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 once the day-visitors noticed how the 'locals' came to say hello to us, we were swamped the happy snapping tourist like you have never seen before. We went from being in complete isolation (so we thought!!!) to the highlight of the moment ontop of the mountain, as the happy snappers came to enjoy watching 'the locals' swamped us, begging for scraps.

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 here you can notice a rather 'swamped' Al' and a happy me. trying to enjoy the view :)

— with Alex Aitkenhead and Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

After a very fast run down the cable way, we walked back about 2km to our car. The sky opened and the mountain presented to us and everyone her full glory.

— with Alex Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 ... perfect ending to a really fun walk up the mountain

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 Table Bay and the foot of Devis Peak in the far distance

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

Proteas are starting to bloom and the colours are just awesome!

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.