ET, the “Enduring Tree”. Kleintuin refers to “Small Holdings”,
commemorating the farming activity which took place along the
Silvermine River many years ago. But once you see where this most
remarkable tree has had to grow, you will understand why “Little
Garden” is preferred. “KT” comprises three separate crowns. At the
critical waypoint (A) near the western crown, in a rugged area
where there are few bushes, look south. You will be surprised to
discover that, what appears to be a bush, is in fact the top of a
tree growing in a deep dark crevasse.
Imagine the scenario, many years ago when this tiny seed was borne
aloft by the wind. Not in its wildest nightmares, would it have
expected to land in a more gloomy and inhospitable place. Now it
had to make the best of it! How long did it struggle ever upward,
in the dark? For how many years was its sole objective reaching
that tiny patch of sky so that it might by photosynthesis and
osmosis fulfil a more or less normal function. To find nourishing
soil, its twisted tortured roots have had to travel some 10 metres
over barren rock slab.
Then one day, after all this struggle, the topmost fragile growing
tip eventually reached the rim of its well of imprisonment, only to
be met with a new frightful circumstance. The rocky rim was fully
exposed to the prevailing Southeaster wind, more often than not of
gale-force intensity. Relentlessly but inevitably its little twigs
and branches were bent, formed and fashioned until they pointed due
northwest in conformance.
But that’s not the end of the story! Inevitably ET’s presence was
discovered. There were many visitors. Some came to admire but
others brought their ‘long knives’. With grotesque cynicism, in
testimony of their own self glory and vanity, they carved eminently
forgettable initials in its bark from ground level to as high as an
arm can reach. Why would a tree go to all this trouble? Why
persevere against such seemingly impossible odds? Perhaps the
answer lies not a pace away. Only about 200 millimetres high,
stands a new young fresh sapling, one of three!
Now, take a walk and find the Honeycomb Corner at the foot of
the crevasse. From a friendly grassy patch you may carefully
approach the tree. Mind the sapling! Then go further south (Don’t
fall over the edge!). Find the cache, sandwiched between the bottom
and middle of three large slab rocks stacked one above the other,
like a large hamburger, resting on a rock shelf. The cache is
hidden behind some loose stones.
On the way, be sure to visit “Pompeii on the Bay”. Admire and
explore the excavations and the restored lanes and foundations of
the Villa of Mysteries. See the Roman Baths with basin and massage
table at S 34° 06.798 and E 018° 26.057 and the Dying Man at S 34°
06.794 and E 018° 26.045.
CONTENTS:
Farmyard animals
- 1x Grasshopper
- 1x Picture frame with photo of ET
- 1x Book “Marvellous Monarchs”
- 1x packet Foliage Plant Food
- 3x “You Are Here” Bookmark map
- !x Notebook & pen
- 1x Geocache Read-Me