Lion's Head Super Heros

The weather was lovely yesterday, despite a cold-front being predicted, so the boys and I decided to take advantage of the unexpected sunny day by taking a walk up Lion's Head.

The boys decided that they would have to wear their Spiderman and Ninja Turtle (although Griffin calls it a 'Minger' Turtle LMAO) suits for such an escapade. And so after a brief shopping trip to stock up on school stationery and multitudinous snacks we set of towards town and Lion' s Head. The boys now call it 'Angelique's Mountain'. As it is where we planted Angelique (our first-born)'s memorial tree. We subsequently buried each of the boy's placentas beneath her tree to nourish it. Her tree is a White Stinkwood and is planted just beyond the paragliding take-off ramp.

"To the right of Table Mountain, Kloof Nek is linked to the aptly named Lion's Head. The spiral walk up Lion's Head passes through silver trees and spring flowers, and provides a 360º view of the Cape Peninsula as you go round the mountain. The walk is not terribly challenging, and is a popular family outing. At the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view, and birds scramble for the crumbs left behind by numerous picnic baskets.

Lion's Head in turn is connected by a lion's body to the rump known as Signal Hill. Signal Hill derives its name from the time when it was used as a semaphore post for communication with ships at sea. It is from here that the noon cannon is still fired every day. After dark, the hill is a popular scene for couples who enjoy the romantic sight of the sparkle of the city lights with the backdrop of a floodlit Table Mountain."

Griffin and I (yes he always has a reason to be grumpy!)

We attempted this walk for the first time with the boys about a year ago and they did well albeit moaning throughout. We probably went about a third of the way that time before stopping for a quick picnic and then heading back down. Griffin at 4.5 years old is still a little small, but I thought he'd manage a fair chunk this time.

We were all excited at the start and Griffin did well getting to the second 'vench' (bench) which overlooks the Table Mountain cable way before needing a rest. After a few sips of water he was ready to go on and he managed to get beyond the paragliding ramp before I had to get creative with jelly babies for 'energy' ;)

Quinn and I half-way up Lion's Head

That seemed to do the trick and whether it was psychosomatic, or a real sugar rush, I don't know but he gathered enough momentum to march up the rocky steps and get all the way to the front of the mountain and to the last bench before the ladder climb. It is at least half way to the top, if not more. We decided to stop and have our picnic there.

There is a beautiful view of Sea Point, the Waterfront and Harbour, Table Bay and the Robben Island from there. I told the boys about Robben Island, and about how and why Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there, and about how stupid the whole thing was.

It was fun and relaxing. We also ended up being quite a tourist attraction ourselves, and all who passed us going up and down had a giggle about the superheroes on the mountain, and several tourists asked if they could take photos of the boys. Which they didn't mind posing for. I wonder what they'll tell their friends back home? :)

Griffin: eating = happy :)

The boys with Lion's Head peak behind them, Sea Point, the ocean and Robben Island is in front.

Quinn striking a Spiderman pose, on the way down.

After our picnic and rest we headed back down. Both boys were full of energy and pretty much bounced all the way down. Weather permitting a friend and I are going to go again this Friday, which is a public holiday (Youth Day), with the 6-year-olds to see if we can get them right to the top, ladders and chain climbs included!