We are retracing steps that we have taken on more than one previous occasion in order to provide Ann and Paul with a proper feel for the Western Cape and what it has to offer visitors. Yesterday we headed initially to the beautiful town of Franschhoek which is a magnet to visitors. Amazingly on this visit, the town was partially shrouded in cloud - it was quite cool as well - although the run up there through Stellenbosch had been under the most beautiful of blue skies. For the third time it was those damned orographic clouds!
It was a short visit because we had arranged to meet up with Sarah and her friends, Ellie and Helen for lunch at Tokara vineyard. Superlatives time again because this is truly a beautiful place to enjoy great food, magnificent wine and stunning surroundings. Oh and the company wasn't bad either! Ellie had been on the same Cadet Entry course as Sarah and we fell in love with her the first time we met. Incredibly, we hadn't seen her for nearly seven years and it was a pure delight to meet up again after all that time. We were meeting Helen for the first time and hopefully the last!! Only kidding, particularly to you Helen if you ever read this post? We loved her company and particularly her mimicry skills which had us all howling with laughter. The lunch breezed by far too quickly but for me it was so, so enjoyable and one of the highlights of our holiday to date.
Today, Thursday, we headed off to Betty's Bay, another favourite of ours, particularly for the coffee and scones at Jack's. It's a cafe/restaurant on the side of the R44, run by David and Laura who left London for South Africa in 1998 and have been here ever since. We could keep Laura talking all day getting a true insight into the future prospects for South Africa.
The road between Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay is possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of tarmac that I have ever had the pleasure to drive on. The road hugs the cliff side in places and today was complimented by azure skies and the deepest blue sea. Stunning and spectacular are the only words to describe it.
Once again on the trip outbound, the plaintive cry, "what's that in the sea?" was heard. This time it was a herd of seals basking in the surf and clearly enjoying the warmth of the sun. By the way, I am aware of other collective names for a group of seals but have it on good authority that a herd is acceptable!
Betty's Bay of course is home to possibly the largest colony of African penguins in the country, certainly larger than the colony at the more famous Boulders Beach. This is a seemingly more natural environment for the penguins and it's certainly a heck of a lot quieter, visitor wise, than across False Bay. We wandered the boardwalk here for nearly an hour watching the activity of cormorants, dassies and penguins.
On the way back from Betty's Bay, further wildlife in the form of baboons was spotted, one strolling quietly along the roadside but others perched high on rocky outcrops clearly looking for dolphins, seals, whales or great whites making their way across False Bay!
The weather is very settled here and with a forecast of 93 degrees tomorrow, we are planning a reasonably quiet day.
I hope some of the photos attached tonight do justice to the last two days.
How can top that. I'll try! Nice one Alistair ...
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