It had been the hottest and most humid day of our travels in South Africa and after walking around the town in the morning it was the end of the day before we felt able to venture out again. Fresh, sea air was needed and so we took ourselves to the Cape Receife Nature Reserve, where a week’s permit cost R60.00 There is a 9km walking trail here, but no information about it at the gate,
The lighthouse was built in 1849 and is the third oldest on the South African coast (I believe that the others are Mouille Point and Sea Point) and was built because of the danger of ships going aground on Thunderbolt Reef. The reef is named after HMS Thunderbolt which sank on the reef in 1847; oddly enough the captain was not dismissed the service. And more oddly ships still sank in the area, even when there was a lighthouse! (SS Queensmoor in 1934)
African Black Oystercatchers are apparently common in this reserve and here are two taking an evening stroll, just like we were. The birds mate for life and they may live for as long as 35-40 years – extraordinary. And they don’t eat oysters.
It was beautiful, peaceful, fresh – but the weather was changing.
Further information
Lighthouses of South Africa
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