Blogs from Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

We awoke to frost on the ground, though the day warmed rapidly as the sun rose in a cloudless sky. We took a walk down the dirt road outside the farm, spotting birds and flowering plants – well, observing rather than identifying them as we have no idea what anything is called! The farm lies on a plain surrounded by the Swartberg mountains, which looked beautiful in the early morning sun We were passed by two English, leathered-up motorcycle tourists who had stayed overnight in the farm, on their way to who knows where. The farm itself grows alfalfa and lucerne which is turned into animal feed. We had booked to visit one of the ostrich farms nearby but the map we had been given was clearly wrong. It wasn't far but we were a bit ... read more

After breakfast Avis brought our hire car to the hotel. David had been worrying our route out of town might take us through the inner city, but Google Maps guided us onto the highways and we reached Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in about 15 minutes. The gardens sit nestled at the foot of the rear of Table Mountain in what must be the most stunning setting for any gardens. They were inevitably a Victoria creation, initially managed and directed by a gentleman from Kew Gardens. The weather had finally picked up and it was warm and sunny with not a cloud in the sky. We wandered around for over two hours, taking in the huge variety of Cape and fynbos vegetation. There are six broad regions of flora in the world, and the Cape is by far ... read more

We left London in 33 degree heat, packing our sweaters in the cases as it was far too hot to wear them. 11 hours later we arrived in Cape Town to find it was 13 degrees with pouring rain and a howling gale. Hmm, aren’t you meant to go on holiday for better weather…..? The rain subsided enough to allow us to don sweaters and waterproof jackets and go for a walk round the V&A waterfront. Back in the hotel, we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a beer in the hotel bar, watching the locals celebrate South Africa thrashing Scotland in their first match of the rugby World Cup, and had an early dinner before heading to bed to catch up on sleep after our night flight. Next morning we’d booked to visit Robben Island ... read more

Dear All So after a wonderful start in Cape Town, on the Saturday after my arrival in the country, my South African road trip began! I picked up my hire car at Cape Town airport, and bade goodbye to this beautiful city - the plan was to spend the next 15 days driving from Cape Town to Johannesburg, quite an epic journey and adventure I must admit! The first part of this country-long road trip would be spending a few days along the beautiful Western Cape coastline dubbed "The Garden Route", between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. As I began my wheeled adventure, I noted that South African roads seemed quite orderly and straightforward thus far. You have to watch out for a few drivers, mainly the minibus drivers who stop and start everywhere, sometimes drive ... read more