MISTY CLIFFS VILLAGE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER - February 2008
Editor: Tim Anderson

THE devastating fires, the first of which started on 25 January, just have to be our lead story, with the sad picture above to show what the once-lush kloof and hillside now look like. Ironically, only the evening before, at our regular committee meeting, we had talked about progress with creating fire breaks around Redhill (where our veld fires usually begin) and about the inability of the Municipality to provide water pressure appropriate for fire-fighting further south than Kalk Bay. This explains the hopelessly inadequate hydrant pressure experienced in Misty Cliffs, and in the higher areas of Scarborough.

Nevertheless, in the hope of better pressure being somehow provided we had already obtained quotations for proper fire hoses, nozzles, and a portable pump to be kept at Misty Cliffs so that when a fire approached residents themselves could do some damping-down ahead of the fire brigade's arrival. This is still under discussion.

Most unusually, Redhill was not where the first fire started. Apparently it began at the ostrich farm much further south. There are unconfirmed rumours of arson which are said to be under investigation by the SAPS.

Your committee has been continually pursuing issues around fire prevention and fire management, and the likelihood of low pressure in the Old Camp Road fire hydrants was known to the Municipality even at the stage when technical plans for the road upgrade were submitted for approval several years ago.

However, some good may come of the big fires as there is now a powerful case for motivating funding for the municipality to install appropriate booster pumps, although this may not be the fundamental problem. As we have said previously in connection with the continual approval of new township developments, the Council is severely stressed by the quantity of water it has available. It's no use installing additional pumps if the water throughput (volume available) is inadequate. It's also problematic to install additional pumps if the electric power to drive them is unreliable!

Ultimate responsibility for water provision is vested in the Waterworks department, but the procedure by which it seeks the necessary funding involves administrative and political decisions within the Unicity bureaucracy. Funding is always difficult as there are many competing priorities, but in the cause of fire-fighting the colossal cost of keeping several helicopters operating for two or three days should be considered, not to mention the costs of wages for literally hundreds of fire-fighters, damage to equipment, and numerous items of collateral damage. Our most excellent Ward Councillor (Mrs Nicky Holderness) is now actively involved in the matter and we will keep you posted.

On the brighter side, it was amazingly fortuitous that after the south-easter blasted the fire through Scarborough there was a temporary wind-shift to south-west which helped to push the worst of the flames uphill in Misty. We must mention the firemen and other fire fighters who, in the absence of water, did an absolutely amazing job with no better tools than spades to beat down the flames and throw sand on them. It is unpleasant and highly dangerous work which requires a special sense of dedication not often found in people.

Although the mountainside is now a moonscape, there was apparently no damage to buildings. It's also great that we've had some light rain since then so that we should soon see bulbs and dormant seeds poking up green shoots through the sand and ash. The silver lining, if one dare call it that, is that we are now surrounded by such a big "firebreak" that we need not worry about another hit for a couple of years.

The last major fire was in 2000 (much worse) and since then we have had some good wet seasons. The mountainside was therefore very densely overgrown with natural vegetation in addition to the remaining areas of uncleared aliens. The burn will ultimately be environmentally beneficial by allowing the flourishing of numerous indigenous species which had become smothered by dense overgrowth.

A "fire feedback" meeting has already been held between all relevant parties, including ourselves. After further urgent discussions we expect to be able to meet with all available Misty owners to report on the way forward with fire prevention and fighting. We will also provide a newsletter or circular so that everyone is kept posted.

PARTY PEOPLE

Our third end-of-year party was held on 16 December and proved (again) that this is a really good and popular event. The later date seemed to suit most people, especially folk from out of town arriving for their holiday. Our amazing catering team led by hostess Lyn Mossop did a near-miraculous job, particularly in view of the failed arrival of our outsourced chicken dish. These are wonderful friendly events which provide opportunities for all of us to meet "neighbours" who outnumber full-time residents and might never otherwise be bumped into. Without doubt new friendships form and that's surely a great way to start an annual holiday.

PICTURES

We are emailing separately a number of digital photos taken at the party. A lot of people do not have an ADSL connection and wouldn't want to bother with the tedious downloading of megabytes of pictures which might not necessarily interest them. This is why we're not including these shots in this newsletter. Your compiler missed the party and so his identification of people in some pictures may well be speculative and wrong. Apologies are offered in anticipation, and corrections will be welcomed!

Similarly, we have decided not to send this and future newsletters as attachments as it seems some among us have e-usage profiles and/or ancient computers which make attachments more trouble than they're worth. However, e-mailing upsets the layout so if anyone would like this newsletter (or a previous edition) sent as an attachment so that it prints out correctly please email Tim at timofpen@mwb.co.za

CRIME AND SECURITY

Generally Misty Cliffs is much less troubled by crime than most suburban areas but the trend is rising nevertheless. The usual perpetrators are casual labourers attached to builders and other contractors. There are also large numbers of unemployed people in the south peninsula area and some are driven to crime out of sheer desperation.

A neighbourhood watch system, highly successful in Simon's Town, is being established in neighbouring Scarborough. It is not solely to do with crime but can keep an eye on anything untoward - like finding someone's lost pet, or not having seen a neighbour for a few days and who, unbeknown to anyone, may be lying ill or helpless at home. We'd like to set this up at Misty Cliffs but we have only a few people who are normally resident; we're working on it.

Many of us have been infuriated by the numerous incorrect emergency numbers in the phone directory, and/or numbers that go unanswered and may or may not be correct. Events like burst pipes or failed power devilishly seem to happen on weekends when it seems absolutely no one attends the published emergency numbers.

However, the Cape Town Emergency Call Centre can be reached on 107 by cell phone or 021-480-7700 on landline. We have been assured that the staff there know exactly who and how to route calls according to the nature of the emergency. We're not yet certain of the scope of "emergency" but will advise you soon from discussions which are ongoing. If any of you have tried either of these numbers for any reason please let us know your experience.

Meanwhile, if you suffer an emergency and experience frustration then resort to calling Scarborough Security Services (attended 24/7), no matter what the problem is. Whether your house is being burgled or you're stuck with a dead car or flat tyre on the way home or you'd like someone to meet you when you arrive back in the dark . . . . phone SSS. The service has some arcane ways of contacting appropriate emergency people, so when your water main bursts after hours, don't call the Council, first call SSS on 021-780-1274/1123 or 084-772-4571.

SSS is in continual close touch with the police who, by the way, send a van patrol round Misty Cliffs twice a day at different times. At the request of SSS we will shortly supply reflecting erf number plates to all built properties so that anyone calling for assistance can quickly be found - the erf numbers are not all consecutive or logically placed and this makes it difficult for quick identification.

BABOONS

Most people will testify that the baboon nuisance is getting worse, and is now well beyond the concept of "sharing" a proclaimed natural area. When monitors are most needed, as over the Christmas period, they are either missing or too few to be of any use. The fire will have destroyed much of the baboons' natural food such as seeds, wild fruit and large goggas, and we may expect them to hang around houses all the more, waiting to raid.

Certain of the alpha male baboons have become more aggressive and less fearless, and some individuals in the troops have taken to damaging doors and windows in their efforts to get in. It is really intolerable that we not only have to close doors and windows but also lock them even while we're sitting there, and there have been several instances where baboons have come up right next to someone unlocking a door and pushed past. This is a very scary experience and it surely can't be long before there's a physical attack.

We are having "crisis" talks with SANParks and with Baboon Matters about this because despite baboons being a protected species it won't be long before frightened or furious residents start shooting them. Among the possible options that have been suggested to us is to have certain identified individuals declared "Problem Animals", thereby qualifying for removal, either relocation or officially euthenased. A meeting to discuss this option is scheduled for the end of this month.

We remind you once again to keep all rubbish inside locked bins and to lock the bins firmly to a tree or post because the supposedly improved "baboon proof" bins easily burst open when the animals hurl them about, which is their common tactic. If you have tenants or visitors in your place please put the fear of hell into them to use the bins and not leave their trash lying around in plastic bags - despite numerous appeals this is still happening. This antisocial behaviour badly undermines all efforts to keep baboons away.

OWLS

Thanks to the enthusiasm of Greg Shaw, our resident über-nature lover, we are acquiring some baby owls. Initially they will be sheltered in little nest boxes called "hacking boxes" and fed with raw chicken bits. When they're old enough they'll be conditioned in a small aviary before being let out to fend for themselves. Our picture shows resident Shirley Turner getting acquainted with "Grace", our pioneer first arrival. The young barn owls (due to arrive in October) usually stay around the neighbourhood, but the spotted eagle owls roam more widely. Greg has consulted various experts and boned up on what to do and how, so success seems almost certain. He has also contrived to borrow an aviary.

Sites for three of the four boxes have been found, and later (or sooner) we'd like owners to fix (as high up as they can reach) cross-bars to telephone poles on which the maturing owls can sit while scanning the scene for wild food.

Owls are fascinating creatures and despite being nocturnal, are often seen and are most intriguing to watch. They are protected by law and are highly efficient pest control agents. Their numbers conveniently increase and decrease in response to food supply. Grace, our first young Spotted Eagle Owl, is already in residence having been rescued, rehabilitated and raised by the Garden Route Bird of Prey Centre and Wildlife Sanctuary.

There are considerable expenses involved in this interesting project (Greg has prepared a budget which the committee has approved) and we are inviting donations to meet the budget which covers the cost of the boxes, putting them up, buying food, and so on. If you'd like to donate something for the project please send your donation to the Misty Cliffs Village Association. If you make an internet payment please be sure to identify it with something like "Smith-owls". Also notify Greg, email: upstairs@elevatorpost.co.za or phone 084-443-9722. Greg is a mine of further information!

CHOPPERS AND WHALES

Numerous complaints have been made by various people around our area who've witnessed (and photographed) reckless and irresponsible flying by helicopter pilots, notably harassing whales by hovering low over them for the pleasure and convenience of on-board photographers. We have been into this matter and, astonishingly, it has come to light that the Department of Civil Aviation has absolutely no authority over off-shore whale-watching. The identity of the pilots and chopper-owners is known but it seems restraint can be exercised only by fellow pilots and owners.

JET-SKIS

There have been some complaints of noise nuisance by jet skiers. So far Misty Cliffs has been affected only by occasional surfing events held near to us in which jet-skis are commonly used to tow board-surfers out beyond the breaks. This has principally affected Kommetjie residents but the jet-ski fraternity, among whom it seems there are some natural-born authority-deifiers, have applied for more exemptions (from SANParks) so that they can practise their sport outside of organized events and in several additional areas. We expect to hear the outcome of this after the end of February.

WEBSITE

Have you visited the Misty Cliffs website lately? It's becoming more and more professional-looking by the day. It was developed by one of our owners, Jeff Spencer, who normally lives in London. Do take a look, and do make suggestions and criticisms: www.mistycliffs.org.za

GOOD NEWS FOR CONSERVATION

Mark Botha, the Botanical Society's Director of Conservation, has been appointed chairman of the Cape Nature Board. Mark is an energetic chap with an excellent professional and personal reputation in his field. This is very good news for conservation in the Western Cape in general and Misty Cliffs in particular.

WITSANDS STEPS

The Witsands steps Phase 2 have now been completed (and personally funded) by a group of our keen beans in Kommetjie, and congratulations are due to Peter Hawkins, Dixon von Breda and his team for a sterling job. The steps are a real pleasure and were finished just in time to assist the 911 paramedics to carry a seriously injured kite surfer off the beach. The passage up the steep embankment is now much easier and more accessible. Back at our Misty end, the flight of steps (which your committee funded) at the south end of Old Camp Road was completely destroyed by the first fire, but we are hopeful of some municipal assistance to replace it.

WIRELESS INTERNET

For the past two years Scarborough and Red Hill residents have enjoyed an approved digital wireless mesh network which enables internet access and other telecoms services. About 180 routers are presently connected. Some Misty owners/residents might be interested in availing themselves of this service which, by use of a neighbour-to-neighbour routing protocol, can get around mountains.

There would be some costs involved - another two routers @ R600 each and three external antennae which, with weatherproof housing and connectors, would come to about R2 700, including installation.

It wouldn't need many users to club together to comfortably fund this extension. Anyone interested should contact David Carman: david@swug.za.net

GETTING RID OF THE COMMITTEE

The (mandatory) Misty Cliffs annual general meeting is set for Sunday morning 27 April. This is your big chance for free biscuits, free tea, free social chatter, and a free opportunity to tear strips off committee members and committee activities. You can vote them out too but then be prepared to offer yourself as a replacement. There's nothing that can't be improved or done better, so let's hear from you. As we often state, the committee gets through a great deal of work and it can be time-consuming and it can also tap your pocket a bit, but our committee meetings are always held in company with good food and drink, and despite occasional fierce arguments we have fun, build firm friendships, and get most things done.