Summer's here again - a time to make the most of these glorious, hot, sunny days to laze at the beach or the pool, go diving and kayaking, go for long hikes exploring our idyllic botanical gardens and hiking trails around Hermanus and environs. On the flip side, these activities are also fraught with dangers.
There are sadly always drownings in pools or in the sea; the beach and sea host nasty little things that sting badly, like blue bottles and jelly fish; heat-stroke results from over-exposure to sun and heat; people get into dfficulties while hiking in the mountains and need rescue services; it's the time of year when some pets are sadly neglected, left in hot cars or abandoned at home and need to be reported to Animal Welfare; snakes are most prevalent now and puffies don't get out of your way like most other snakes, making them the most dangerous snakes; bee swarms are actively seeking snug places to build new hives and seem to love our log cabins - and boy, can they cause an almighty mess in unoccupied homes! And then there are those people who persist in doing illegal things like poaching, riding quadbikes on the beach and doing kite surfing and gill netting on the Bot River Estuary!