Amid the stormy weather in the Cape over this Heritage Day weekend, the Spring Equinox arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, which means spring has officially sprung.
When the continuous bouts of cold fronts cease to make landfall in the Western Cape, the sun will shine a little brighter, the days will last a little longer, and the birds will soon begin to sing summer melodies.
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To say we’ve missed the warm weather would be an understatement.
To help put a spring in your step and celebrate its triumphant return, here are five things you can do to celebrate the official start of spring:
A trip to one of the many CapeNature Reserves
While we may have missed CapeNature’s celebration of Tourism Month with their free access week, that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the beauty of Cape Town.
Lace up your hiking boots and get stepping at one of the many amazing reserves that they have in their portfolio. De Hoop Nature Reserve is a great choice if you’re looking to revel in nature and spot a few whales. Or head to Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve for breathtaking views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and an array of fynbos.
A braai at Oudekraal
South Africans will make any excuse to braai, so why not celebrate spring with a few chops on the braai? Cape Town has a number of stunning braai spots, including the popular Oudekraal – a paradise that’s perfect for chilling and sizzling meat, all while enjoying ocean views.
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Soak up the springtime glow of the sun, take a dip in the ocean and enjoy some good food. However, grab your spot early since it’s a favourite among locals, thanks to the Twelve Apostles sheltering it from the wind.
Alternatively, on rare windless days, Eerstesteen in the Blouberg area is another great go-to spot.
Help out a few trees
Is there any better way to celebrate spring than by planting some fauna and flora? Greenpop is an incredible organisation that works hard to restore ecosystems and empower environmental stewards through forest restoration, food gardening, and environmental awareness projects.
So, make sure you grab your wallet and donate a few bucks to this incredible initiative. A great alternative is to plant a few flowers of your own. Nurturing and watching something grow is definitely a great way to celebrate spring, plus September is Arbor Month, after all.
Enjoy a bicycle ride
Warmer weather means plenty of bike rides are on the horizon. Sea Point is famous for bike rentals, with tonnes of locals and visitors opting to explore Sea Point Promenade via bike.
Grabbing a tandem bike is another great way to enjoy the arrival of spring and Atlantic Outlook is your one-stop shop with three cruise options on offer. Simply book, pick up your tandem at the V&A Waterfront and ride off to explore the Atlantic Seaboard and surrounds.
The West Coast Flowers
It may be your last chance to spot the famous West Coast flowers, so make sure you grab your camera and head down this incredible coastline. While a few of the flower fields may be filled with the remnants of spring, there’s still plenty to do within this region – whale-watching, wine tasting and good food are just a few of the things you can indulge in.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Embark on a round trip from Cape Town to the Winelands and back for R2 449 (valued at R3 500). Get it here.
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Meet the Waterblommetjies: Cape Town’s committed cold plungers
Picture: Chi liu / Unsplash