We spent two nights at Meijers Rust Guest Farm in September 2015 and discovered that the farm had many smaller succulent plants hiding under the bushes that we might not have otherwise noted. Because of the rains, we didn’t fully explore many places on the farm.
Views of the road up the mountains from our cottage.
Our cottage in the background as we start our drive. You can also walk if you prefer that.
Fences and gates to keep the cattle in or out. Note the Interstate 5 Highway sign – from the US’s west coast main freeway I-5.
Cows and some Eland share the farm.
The owner worked in road/freeway construction in southern California for many years… hence the signs.
only 10, 158 miles (I suppose not by swimming?)
The road as we climb.
View of the farm and cottages from higher up on the road.
One of our stops to check for succulents next to the road.
Euphorbia heptagona
Aloe ferox
Nice views as the sun sets.
Cotyledon tomentosa
Flowers of Cotyledon tomentosa
This is what the vegetation looks like higher up. There was cow dung across the landscape so cattle range widely here. However, the succulents seemed unaffected for the most part.
We found many beautiful succulents growing under the bushes.
Gasteria brachyphylla. These were sporadic, but scattered about.
Crassula cultrata
Conophytum sp.
Conophytum sp. The ring is size 6 (16 mm in diameter).
Crassula tecta.
Crassula tecta.
Haworthia arachnoidea hiding under the bushes.
Closer view of this group of H. arachnoidea
Closer view of H.arachnoidea.
A tripod was needed.
Haworthia bayeri
A cluster of Haworhia bayeri – under the bushes.
Aloe microstigma.
Closer view of the Aloe microstigma.
Crassula pseudohemisphaerica
Crassula muscosa.
Hyobanche sp, a parasitic plant.
A succulent. Identification welcome!
more Crassula cultrata – these plants grow quite large.
Closer (flash photo – was getting dark) of Crassula cultrata.
Another trail on the farm. Impressive views.
A 4X4 road for sure. We actually walked since turning around wasn’t clear.
Impressive views.
Very close to the farm but in the Meiringspoort (Pass).
At Meiringspoort, a well known waterfall and rest stop along the road. This is very close to the farm.
The waterfall.
Our afternoon tea.
Our room.
A lunar eclipse took place while we were there – it was mostly cloudy but we got a couple photos. This was two weeks after the solar eclipse we observed while at the Verbe Farm.
THE NATURALIST'S TRAVEL PAGE 