To many people GEESE has become synonymous with the Glencairn wetland (vlei)  benches, so when one of the 'old' benches had its woodwork stolen it looked so broken, sad and forlorn that it became necessary to repair it.  This bench is at the top end of the vlei, the 'sports field' end, at the start of what we call 'the peninsula'.

Chris Bonthuis kindly supplied the mahogany (meranti) wood which was cut and sanded into bench slats.  The concrete sides were re-positioned and concreted in place. The slats were screw-locked and we hope that no more will be stolen.  A few coats of linseed oil/turpentine made the bench look grand.

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While we were at it, we 'planted' in concrete, a Goose bench-end pointing to the start of the Typha Tunnel.  A sign will be made in due course.

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Another project we have in mind is to make more Typha Tunnel bridge units.  There are at present, two bridge units in place on the Glen Road side of the Typha Tunnel.  Each unit is made from treated timber and is about 2,5 metres long and sunk down about 1,5 metres into the mud so as to rest just above the water. The idea is to allow people to walk on a dry bridge across the vlei - the so-called Typha Tunnel.  The wetter the weather the higher the water level and we will require another four or five bridge units to keep the walk relatively dry!

We have calculated that the treated wood from the pole yard will cost about R500 per unit.

WELCOME BACK TO RUPERT AND CILLA BROMLEY

Rupert and Cilla Bromley are due back this week after seven weeks overseas.  From all accounts this was a very pleasant holiday visiting family and friends, but for us their return  means a return to normality; GEESE and associated organisations limped along while they were away and can now get back to having Rupert and Cilla's very able assistance.

During their absence only a couple of 'happenings' can be reported:

The Stepping Stones were repaired and topped up so that none are under water during a wet winter season.  The good rain last week brought the river water level to just flow over the berm (causeway).

The bench near the "Playing Field" had all the wooden slats stolen  a couple of weeks ago.  There has been a run on stealing bench slats lately, four were removed from the bench overlooking the tidal pool and I was told this morning that one slat is missing on the Rodger's bench overlooking the point.  Someone must be building a bungalow or other structure.   There is plenty of firewood available in the surrounding hills so I don't see anyone wanting to burn treated wood.  The maintenance on these benches is an ongoing process but then they are used and appreciated by many people

The Main Road Glencairn Bridge water leak has finally been repaired.  For about six years there has been a water leak pouring water at a full tap rate between the road and rail bridges.  This was reported over the years to Council by many people to no avail.  Recently the 'right' person was contacted together with photographs, and a team sprang into action and closed a leaking valve deep under the pavement.    This leak wasted about five litres of water per second, calculated at 1.25 million litres a month, so that over many years the figure boggles the mind.

And now it is also welcome to winter in the Cape.  I feel that when it is blowing and wet and cold and miserable it makes us appreciate the beautiful days that follow, all the more.

Be kind to each other

Your Scribe

GEESE celebrated World Wetland Day 2010 in two ways:  there was a vlei and surroundings clean-up couple of days, and on on Sunday 31 January 2010 the beautiful new signs were unveiled.

The Unveiling of the New Signs

The afternoon was perfect, one of those Cape days when everything was perfect: the temperature, the wind, the sunshine, all beautiful.  This was the occasion of the unveiling of the new GEESE signs around the vlei.  Councillor Nicky Holderness did the honours of "cutting the ribbon".

There must have been at least thirty people in the group, GEESE members who had come to witness another worthwhile occasion. I have been told by a few people recently that "the vlei used to be an unsavoury and
unattractive piece of abandoned land which has been transformed into a beautiful park".



The 'old' sign which was moved to the Glencairn Heights side oif the vlei so that the picture would face the right way.

The afternoon began with a walk around the vlei led by Lady Cilla Bromley who gave a commentary on the history of the old signs and the newly-sited signs.  This walk included, for those who didn't mind getting their feet wet, a walk through the Typha Tunnel, an intriguing experience.  Some of the questions heared were: What will it be like? Will it be frightening? How deep will the wet parts be? What will be next?     I think everybody enjoyed it. 

After Councillor Nicky Holderness had done the honours of unveiling the first sign, the group walked own to the next sign where Paul Jaques, who designed the new signs, unveiled the second one. 

A little further, opposite the Southertn Right Hotel, Lady Cilla Bromley did the honours of unveling the third sign. 




The Southern Right Hotel laid on a veritable feast of drinks and snacks in their upstairs room with its panoramic view of sea and vlei and a good time was had by all