Being overly bold is a mistake in various circumstances. These Portulacaria afra trees with their succulent leaves and heavy, water-storing stems live on the brink at the cliff edge. They themselves are slowly causing the cracks in the rock that may bring them tumbling down one day. For now their endeavours add to the cumulative effects that time will bring to this spot: a new look far into the future.

Climatic erosion, compounded by the continuous search of roots for moisture and nutrients, cause periodic dislodgement of pieces of rock that make jutting cliffs like this retreat slightly forever. For surface rocks don't grow, but are slowly eroded into a component of soil.

Until the few and far between events of a big change happening, the perch on this edge provides a glorious view to bird or small mammal for a restful scouting stop. Who knows, in a few thousand years this cliff may be transformed into a rounded hill-brow with scattered succulent plants capable of surviving on an earth too hot (or cold?) for people.

The size of the plants in a spot as exposed as this says something about the capacity of the species. Portulacaria itself may be a candidate for the projected plant list of the deep future.

And who might be around to draw up such a list?