Hiking the Melville Koppies from home
Using her memories of the koppies, her fascination with smells and the links between memory and smell, she has been able to continue exploring the heritage site from the comfort of her home.
Many continue to wake up every Sunday morning longing for a walk in the Melville Koppies but haven’t been able to do so due to the coronavirus lockdown.
One of these people is Tamarin Scheidegger, an avid walker of the koppies, who recently shared her memories of the nature reserve through the power of smell.
Using her memories of the koppies, her fascination with smells and the links between memory and smell, she has been able to continue exploring the heritage site from the comfort of her home.
The Melville Koppies tour guide, Scheidegger, expressed, “When we take people on a tour of the koppies, I try to find the stinkiest things possible to crush and pass around.”
During this time, many visitors to the koppies have touched and experienced the minty scents of the fever-tea bush (Lippia javanica), strongly pungent herbal ointment smells of yellow everlasting’s (Helichrysum setosum) and the sweetly, musky aroma of Impepho (helichrysum odoratissimum), among others.
Scheidegger stated her favourite smell is that of the velvet rock alder (Canthium gilfillianii) as it relieves her cravings for morning coffee.
Not all the smells they engage with are from plants, shared Scheidegger. Some come from animals and this offers the touring guests a chance to learn more.
She shared that whenever she comes across mongoose droppings, she will break them up in her hands, allowing the hikers to inspect all the exoskeletons of the insects digested by the animal. She expressed, “We get to see the eyes of bees, dragonfly wings and grasshopper legs.”
Scheidegger went on to say, “Giant eagle owl’s pellets are always a great find on a tour. The fact that they regurgitate indigestible fur and bones really says something about their table manners.”
She stated this reveals more information on the other creatures that inhabit the grasslands and some ultimately become prey for the magnificent birds.
There are still any things in the Melville Koppies that Scheidegger will smell and analyse such as the foot-long hairy droppings she found prior to the lockdown.
She said, “This, I guess, is snake faeces and the next time, I will collect a sample to bring to Wits University for the correct identification.”
The Friends of Melville Koppies have been sharing their memories, lessons and hopes for the koppies during the the lockdown. They invite the public to check out their Facebook page to read more about the koppies.
Melville Koppies, www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies
For more information on the Melville Koppies, www.mk.org.za
