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Cape Town in March 2010.
From Riversdale we took the back roads to Cape Town before joining the main road and descending Sir Lowry's Pass.
On leaving Riversdale we headed north up the R323 through Garcia's Pass in slightly misty overcast conditions. At the top of the pass we took a gravel road left and after about fifteen kilometres we turned left at this sign. This was a good decision as the scenery was lovely.
Many farmhouses in South Africa are now derelict an that is a shame.
This is the kind of track that I really enjoy driving along. We encountered no oncoming traffic on the pass which was a good thing in some parts as it would have been very difficult to get two vehicles past each other.
We saw this place "Die Ou Wa Wiel Restaurant/The Old Wagon Wheel Restaurant" where the sign proclaimed that they served coffee, tea and light meals. In addition according to the sign they were licensed to sell liquor. The toilet, shared by all sexes, was the most remarkable feature in that it consisted of two adjacent thrones and a bathtub. I asked if I could use the bath and was told that this was not available for customers. I think the village was called Suurbraak but this could be incorrect. Incredibly on reflection the place left no great impression on me or a desire to call back soon.
A gorge with mist covering the top of the mountain.
A scene in the Cape Town Area.
On the way to Cape Point.
Penguins at Boulders. We had to return along the road after arriving at Cape Point and being told that our Wild Card had just expired but that it could not be renewed there so we would have to pay the entrance fee first. Meanie that I am I drove back and this turned out well as there were practically no people looking at the penguins when we arrived. As we left noisy, bustling hordes which arrived by coaches began to descend on the place.
Sylvia taking a picture of a lovely red lily.
Baboons on the rocks and birds in the sea. Baboons in this area have learned to feed on shellfish. These were being followed by three men who were keeping an eye on them and preventing them from entering built up areas where there are houses. Residents in the area are not usually fond of them as they will make an awful mess in a house if they get in. The problem is exacerbated by people who feed them. If they think you have food they can be dangerous as they may attack you for it.
A typical scene in the area.
Orange flowers. (There were very few flowers in bloom at this time.)
White Sewejaartjies.
A yellow Pincushion Protea.
A nice scene.
Now if we had guns of that calibre defending my property where we live I might feel safer at night.
I have never seen Ostriches in the sea before. It was hot and I am not sure whether they were there to cool down or try and rid themselves of parasites.
The Ostriches on the right. This was close to Cape Point.
More hordes - this time mainly Brazilians gathered at this point - maybe they liked the pointer to Rio de Janeiro indicating that it was 6055 kilometres away over the sea..
Looking down on various viewing points. More steps.
Three boats below.
More bodies. There seemed to be lots of tourists at Cape Point. They were mainly only around the lighthouses.
The new lighthouse below at Cape Point.
Please admire this flower peeping out of the soil - this picture was taken in a very precarious position.
Cape Point has lots of steps all over the place!
Looking up past Sylvia at the old lighthouse from a viewing point.
An Erica.
Interesting sandstone and bush.
The next day we went to Kirstenbosch - with thoughts of the LCCSA Party later.
This is a Flame Lily immediately below, followed by more flowers and scenes at Kirstenbosch.
A Cycad.
Stinging Nettles.
We did not go home to wash before the LCCSA party so had the vehicle washed instead - you never know who might want to see it! At this stage the LCCSA B&B page fits in. Details had to be posted fast on our return as the reluctant posers wanted to see how they appeared before they forgot what they looked like.
The next day after the party we went to the World of Birds Sanctuary in Hout Bay. (S34.01788 E18.36270). This was a most interesting place and is well worth a visit. Below are some of the snaps taken there.
A Pelican with its beak open under water.
A view from Chapman's Peak
From Chapman's Peak looking towards Hout Bay.
On the way home we stayed at Christo Giliomee's lovely cottage at Noetzie.
This is one of the castles on the beach.
There is a hiking trail in the area and we went and obtained a permit to walk on the trail in Knysna. They told us that the trail was overgrown and it was but it was still worth going there.
Sylvia one one of the better defined paths.
Hmm -I wonder where we should go now?
Clambering over the rocks.
Enjoying the cool breeze.
The next day we traveled home in one go. We were on the road form about 7:30 to 22:30. I wanted to take two days but Sylvia said that I had promised to go home in one go if we stayed the extra day. In all we did 5460 kilometres. May the souls of all the insects I killed rest in peace!
