Well, we’re homeward bound. After a magnificent and glorious three weeks in South Africa, we have travelled from Cape Town to Durban to Amsterdam and will shortly leave for Guernsey.
Cape Town
After taking afternoon tea at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel (as a chap and chapess do), we flew to Durban and stayed at the Granny Mouse Country Lodge, some 90 minutes west of the city, for one night before catching an Emirates flight to Amsterdam.
Today, we take a Blue Islands flight back to Guernsey (via the ‘other island’) to be reunited with Play d’eau. In a strange way we know it’s time to go home, yet our hearts have been certainly captured by South Africa.
As Amy’s brother, Kevin, had said to us, ‘South Africa gets in your blood’.
How right he was.
Some last pics
Here are some last pics from the many we took.
Our room at the Tala Private Game Reserve KwaZulu-Natal click to enlarge
Our 12m long room at the African Pride, Melrose Arch, J’burg, with its green and red lighting click to enlarge
The Queen Victoria Hotel was close to the waterfront which buzzed with life click to enlarge
These guys were great with their improvisation and rhythms click to enlarge
“The wheel on the front goes round and round’ click to enlarge
Traditional skills are still being used click to enlarge
The port and marina were so busy click to enlarge
Table Mountain was wearing its table cloth click to enlarge
The cloud disappeared… click to enlarge
…and window cleaners were suspended by ropes click to enlarge
Sandwiches, cakes, savouries, scones, creams, jams, breads and 'nibbles' click to enlarge
We indulged in afternoon tea at The Mount Nelson click to enlarge
Piers’ favourite click to enlarge
We stayed at the Granny Mouse Country Lodge for our last night in SA click to enlarge
Our room had a wood burning stove – great because it dropped to -3C overnight click to enlarge
Granny Mouse overlooks the valley and its river click to enlarge
The fog stayed hovering above the river click to enlarge
As the sun rose, it was -3C, frosty, and fog steamed off the river click to enlarge
A great sign by Reception click to enlarge
Water taps and corrugated iron made a novel water features click to enlarge
Nearby were the stunning 95m (310′) Howick Falls click to enlarge
Piers and Lin
Granny Mouse Country Lodge
…on temporary leave of absence from Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Table Mountain from our room at the Mount Nelson click to enlargeAs you know, we’re in South Africa to be with our son, Toby, for his marriage to Amy. And what a great excuse to have a holiday as well.
Flight problems ex-Dubai
Late in the evening of April 5, we flew from Amsterdam to Cape Town on Emirates via Dubai. But after take-off from Dubai we levelled at 10,000 feet and flew north west out to sea and began circling. Strange, we should have been going south.
I was about to say something to Lin, when the Captain announced, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, unfortunately, the undercarriage will not retract so we have to return to Dubai.’
Boring…
After dumping fuel to reduce weight, we landed, disembarked, ate lunch and had a four hour delay whilst another A340 was prepared. This time, the undercarriage came up.
Cape Town
Cape Town with Table Mountain behind taken from the boat that took us to the infamous Robben Island click to enlargeWe arrived at our hotel, the Mount Nelson, at 2330 local, somewhat tired. We’d been up almost forty hours.
With six hours sleep, we were up and eating a sumptuous al fresco breakfast under the veranda in this equally sumptuous colonial-style hotel. The sun was already roasting hot and at 0800 we jumped in a mini-bus for our first guided tour – the City and Table Mountain.
Unusually for this autumnal time of year, the skies are clear, the sun is hot with temperatures in the mid-thirties. How perfect is that?
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is breathtaking. No other word can describe this seventh natural wonder of nature.
The Swiss designed and installed cable car whisked us 765m (2,510 feet) up to the top whilst we stood on its slowly revolving floor enabling everyone in the car to have an equal view.
On top of the mountain we saw some guineapig lookalikes, locally called Dassies, but in reality, Rock Hyrax. Is the plural Hyrices as in index and indices, we wondered?Dassies roam the top of Table Mountain click to enlargeAn American lady was cooing over one whilst trying to reach out to stroke it. ‘Oh how simply awesome. So sweet. I really must have one,’ she squealed. After a few moments I said to her, ‘You, know, I’ve been told they are far better rare rather than well done.’
‘Uh-huh,’ came the response before my words had fully settled in, followed by, ‘Oh that’s dreadful. How horrid.’ I could hardly prevent smiling whilst I added, ‘It’s best to keep back a bit, you know. They spit poison.’
By now, obviously confused, and with a furrowed brow, she backed off. Looking at me questioningly, she murmured a weak, ‘Thank you,’ and disappeared.
We wonder just how far this rumour will spread.
Afternoon
Having descended, we visited to the 1679 Castle of Good Hope which protects the Governor’s Residence.
Exhausted, but exhilarated by the sheer beauty of Cape Town and its surroundings, we return to the ‘Pink Lady’ and dined in its beautiful Planet restaurant.
Piers and Lin
Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
…on temporary leave of absence from Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
It’s 765m to the top… click to enlarge
…and 765m down click to enlarge
The Atlantic ocean is to the west and south click to enlarge
The views are simply stunning click to enlarge
You cannot tire of the views click to enlarge
Looking to the north along the ridge click to enlarge
If you really want you can opt to abseil down click to enlarge
Piers didn’t click to enlarge
The hour we had gazing was far too little click to enlarge
Cape Town with Robben Island in the distance click to enlarge
Resident Egyptian geese in the Castle of Good Hope Fort click to enlarge
Papa Goose follows behind making very loud ‘goose warning noises’ click to enlarge
The Governor’s Residence within the Castle of Good Hope click to enlarge
The Governor’s entrance hallway click to enlarge
The dining room seats over 100 guests click to enlarge
After a long day we arrive at the impressive arches to the Mount Nelson’s driveway click to enlarge
The Mount Nelson’s long and imposing driveway click to enlarge
We arrive back at the Mount Nelson click to enlarge
The glorious wing where we ate al fresco overlooking the pool click to enlarge
The Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town with Table Mountain behind click to enlargeWe arrived at the start of our South African extravaganza at this magnificent old colonial-style hotel, the Mount Nelson, late last Sunday evening after an unexpectedly prolonged journey.
The Mount Nelson is affectionately know as ‘The Pink Lady’ or ‘Nellie’.
The last three days
We’ve packed so much into the last three days. The weather has been unexpectedly perfect with temperatures in the high twenties, cloudless skies and a gentle cooling breeze.
Table Mountain, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Botanical gardens, District 6 and Robben Island have taken every moment. Robben Island has left us emotionally exhausted.
To make you smile…
Yesterday, we were having an early breakfast on the terrace when the sun poked her nose through the palm trees beyond the infinity pool at the end of the beautiful green lawn.
With our table laden with glorious tropical fruits, the aromas of freshly watered garden mixed with good strong coffee, were intoxicating.
Then the sun went out. It was a street lamp.
Piers and Lin
Mount Nelson Hotel
…on temporary leave of absence from Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
These were the voyages of Piers and Lin du Pré aboard their Fleming 55
