BERGFREE ADVENTURES NEWSLETTER NUMBER 150 04 June 2012 Amber Walkers Fort Nottingham Conservancy Fort Nottingham 29 May 2012 Just outside of Nottingham Road is the old English fort of Fort Nottingham, established in 1856 by the British Government as a fort to protect the early pioneer farmers from the marauding Bushmen of the Drakensberg. Today old fort is a National Monument , as well as a historic museum. The land around the fort was declared a commonage, and once permission has been obtained from the local protector, there is a large area of highland farm land that can be walked on. Roy Tabernor , is the present protector, and together with his wife Ann own and run the very well known Els Amics restaurant in the village of Fort Nottingham. We contacted Roy some time ago, and organized a walk through this area. Roy kindly volunteered to be our guide for the day. Once we had all met at Roy at the Els Amics restaurant in the Fort Nottingham village, we drove up the designated car park area, and were briefed about the history of the area by Roy Roy then lead us on a long walk around the summit of the long range of highland grasslands . we were shown an area which has been designated as a vulture feeding area. Only carcasses of animals that are free of anti-biotics are put out for the vultures . We then moved onto a high point for a tea and biscuit rest , and to admire the view up the Kamberg Valley. The Kamberg mountain was the dominant feature of the area. A short while later Roy led us to the other side of the ridge, where we would have lunch , and be able to look down into the valley leading up to Fort Nottingham. Some took the low road, and some took the high road. The occasional rocky outcrops showed a great diversity of plans that could not survive in the grasslands. On reaching the high point, we found our “spot”, and settled down for lunch . The views from here onto the farmlands below were quite incredibly, with a great variety of different colours and farming patterns spread out below us. One or two took the opportunity to have a short after lunch snooze. It was then time to head back to Els Amics for a well anticipated tea and muffins. ( Roy had left us as we started lunch to get back to his kitchen to prepare our afternoon tea). From the ridge we looked down onto the Fort Nottingham Village. A very quiet little community resting in the peaceful tranquility of the valley below. Once back at the Rls Amics Restaurant, tea was very much appreciated and enjoyed by all. After tea we headed of to the Fort Nottingham Museum It was now time to wish our hosts Roy and Ann a fond goodbye. From all of us from Amber Valley, we thank them very much for their very warm hospitality. This is a great place to visit. Just bear in mind that the restaurant is only open on the week ends. Should you want to visit and walk in the commonage, contact Roy to get the necessary permission, and protocols. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information , and a guide into the Drakensberg , for all ages and aspirations, from the stroll to the sweat , contact me , Dave Sclanders At Bergfree Adventures www.bergfree.co.za ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~