Tuesday 4th April 2023
I was up and at 'em early today because I wanted to join a group of weekly walkers at the Wilds Park in Houghton. My friend takes a group of older folk up and round the park and has been doing so since the park was revamped in 2014(ish). I say ish because I'd just started going on Heritage Tours at the end of 2017 and I remember we went on a visit when it was still very unkempt.
16 hectares of trees, hills, rocks and paths, in a nature reserve surrounded by the city. It was opened in 1930 before the main highway cut right through it and is now joined by a pedestrian bridge linking the West and East sides. I'd never walked on the East side because it took longer to get it safe and sorted..I did attend a gate opening and blue plaque ceremony a few years back but hadn't returned until today. A different friend led the group and it was lovely to catch up in person instead of virtually. The walk through the east side is just....
It is magnificent. There benches, and mosaics, artworks, lookout points, meditation rock garden and fountains using water pumped from the underground Gautrain surplus water. Unfortunately it's proximity means crazy morning traffic and hence my usual reluctance to go over. But it's school holidays this week so decided to drive over and also collect my official tour guide certificate at a local mansion.
Yes, it's called Northwards and houses the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation office. I absolutely love this building and have visited a few times and always gives me a thrill.
There was a chill in the air due to snow on faraway mountains but it explained the changing leaves and stunning colours of the wild grasses.
A visual, heart filling day
Comments