Tortuous mountains conditions to a sunny Hermanus

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa

Just a brief one to let you know we have travelled south of Cape Town to Hermanus and are staying in a beautiful house overlooking a golf course, and on to the coast beyond.

Reluctantly, we left Jakkalsfontein early on Friday morning and drove back to Cape Town where we dropped off the hire car and waited for our transfer to Hermanus. Authentick Travel arrived promptly and we left Cape Town on a windy but pleasant morning. By the time we had climbed up into the mountains, the rain pelted down and the wind howled. Unfazed by the tortuous conditions, our driver continued to drive at great speed, overtaking and undertaking everything on the mountain roads. Mike was rather impressed by his skill and courage, but I just pretended to sleep.

Met by a charming young woman in the pelting rain who had abandoned her shoes (the garden was awash), we were given a tour of the property, including incredibly complicated instructions on how to use the alarm system and cable TV, despite the power shedding and no electricity.

The TV area

Actually, the house is very well equipped to cope with it, and we can continue to use the internet and the TV during the power cuts. We have, however, already managed to set the alarm off as we returned from shopping this afternoon!

The house is very unusual: architecturally designed to make the most of the light, inside it is minimally decorated in whites and greys. It has wonderful views at the front across a lush golf course to the sea, and, at the back, to the mountains. Thankfully, the rain has stopped and today has been warm and sunny.

Out shopping for provisions this morning, we came across the Saturday market which is fantastic - hundreds of stalls selling local produce, leather goods, jewellery and artefacts. In the centre of the whole thing, people were eating and drinking and generally making merry. We will definitely return next week.

Thank you all for your wonderful messages and greetings. It is SO nice to hear from you, so please continue to keep in touch. More in a couple of weeks.