Happy New Year from the Cape of Good Hope

Friday, January 02, 2015
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
We left France on 23rd December and arrived late that evening at our daughter's house in Wiltshire. Anabel and the boys arrived at lunchtime on Christmas Eve, followed by Victoria, Matt, George and Gracie later in the afternoon. Nicola and Justin gave us all a wonderful family Christmas with family songs and performances and of course, Father Christmas for Harry and Charlie. Aged 4 and 2, it was a very special time for them. We then spent a couple of much-needed restful days with Anabel in her new home in Oxfordshire before flying from Heathrow to Cape Town on 29th. 

We arrived early morning and were met by our hire car company - all very efficient (thank you, Wendy, for your brother's introduction) . Mike hadn't slept much on the 12 hour flight - he was lucky enough to have the only seat on the airplane that did not recline. He was not impressed when he was offered a £20 shopping voucher to compensate and has demanded an upgrade on our flight home. Nice thought!

Our first house exchange here in Cape Town is in Bergvliet, an attractive, leafy suburb within easy reach of the city. It is a very luxurious bungalow in a security village of 65 homes, complete with pool, gym, etc. It has a pretty garden and a cleaner who comes twice a week. Mustn't grumble. 

We were delighted to spend New Year's Eve with my cousin Carol. She is the daughter of George, my mother's brother and has lived in Cape Town for about 25 years. So the first of the Hudsons on our South African trail! Mary-Ann, an old friend of Carol's from Kenya was there, and Anne-Marie, Carol's daughter who has now moved back to South Africa. We had a delicious dinner and saw in the New Year in the traditional way .

On New Year's Day (another beautiful, sunny day) we drove down the coast to Simon's Town and then on to Cape Point. I tried to imagine my ancestors landing in that fragile ship back in 1820 on this rocky and dangerous coastline but it was hard; it is all so different now. The road was very busy with tourists and local people enjoying the beaches and weather but the views were worth it, as was a fabulous lunch at the Black Marlin, a seafood restaurant overlooking the sea, just north of the Point. 90 Rand (about £5) for a huge dish of prawns, mussels, calamari and battered hake. Yummy. We are also impressed by the local wines which cost so little it seems a shame not to have the bottle...

Today we took the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus which starts in the docks, goes through Cape Town Centre and then up to Table Mountain and the cable car. Cape Town has recently become the most visited city in South Africa and the queues were daunting especially at this time of the year . However, we persevered and were impressed by the organisation and the cheerful staff. Once at the top, the views are fantastic on both sides on this strange, flat-topped mountain. We were lucky enough to see several Rock Dassie (they look rather like very large hamsters but strangely are related to the elephant!) and also a Lesser Doublecollared Sunbird which is a beautiful little thing; emerald green and red with a long, pointed beak.  

We hopped off the bus again at Camps Bay which is a lovely spot and boasts a beautiful beach. Lunch was good - we struggled through with oysters and a seafood linguine - and another bottle of that rather good South African Sauvignon. We finally arrived home this evening exhausted and sun-burnt but altogether pleased with ourselves for having achieved some serious rubber-necking.

We have another four full days here before we set off on Wednesday for Stellenbosch. This is an early blog but we just wanted to let the family know we are in one piece and to wish you all a very happy New Year and all the best for 2015. Talk soon...

 

Comments

Angela Keen
2015-01-02

Looks fantastic guys, safe travels, great to hear from you guys. wishing you a very happy 2015.xx:)

Jennifer P
2015-01-03

Happy New Year to you Mike & Gillie. You seem to be having a tough time with all that Seafood & wine--struggle on. We love reading your blog & hope your trip continues to be so enjoyable. xxx

Peter East
2015-01-03

I told you the wine was cheap................!
Glad you enjoyed the bus trip - it's an excellent way of sight-seeing.

Shame about the flight; Perhaps now would not be a good time to mention that we got upgraded to Business Class from Rio - Lovely full length bed.........
OK, kick me later!

gillie.bowen
2015-01-04

Thanks for your comments and best wishes. Yes, Jenny, it's a tough life! Thanks for your vineyard/lunch recommendation, Peter, we will check that out tomorrow when we head north. Angie, lovely to hear from you in Australia - love to Phil and the boys.

Cherry Mallory
2015-01-04

Really enjoy reading your news. Hope all goes well and you have a wonderful time.

mvgarside
2015-01-04

Now back from Oz/NZ, Gillie. I reckon my travelling' days oughta be over. Unlike you, it seems, this globe trotting knackers me too much these days. Glad you are back in the land of our 1,000 cousins. Here's hoping you track down plenty of them on this pilgrimage. Lotsaluv...and a very Happy New Year to you and Mike from Disey and me. xx

2025-02-11

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank