Knysna

Yes we are in fact in Knysna [pronounced NIZENA.]

Just returned from a wonderful steam train trip from George to Mossel Bay return! It should go from Knysna, but last year's floods have destroyed a few sections of track. Still, we had wonderful views of the coast, more fynbos vegetation, beautiful wooded valleys and rivers.

We've been here a few days and have also done a 6.5 km walk in some indiginous forest and a few km on a relatively deserted beach.

To reach the Featherbed Nature Reserve you have to catch a ferry and cross the Knysna river estuary and lagoon to a jetty at the foot of the Western Head. The East and West Heads are the headlands either side of the Knysna channel which you have to navigate to get to Knysna by sea. Our guide told us that Lloyds will not insure a vessel to pass through this channel because over 400 have been lost or damaged there! Only 60m of the 200m wide channel is safe. Now there's a challenge for Cap. T.Ingall!!

Richard was delighted to know that a buffet lunch was included in the ticket. So as well as finding two orchid species and seeing the Blue Duiker he was very well satisfied.