I could get used to this sleeping in a bed again, although last night's drinking session with the guide did result in me getting up a little later than planned!!! However, with it being Freedom Day here in South Africa, I anticipated on everyone being late. Sure enough, breakfast was a little later than of previous and we didn't leave until about 09h30. It was a short drive through the relatively quiet streets to Table Mountain where the day's activities were to take place. Although it was still relatively early and although it's officially autumn, it was already warm when we arrived at the cable car station at the bottom of Table Mountain. We'd been told to bring water and a hat and I'd decided not to take the camera today. Getting out of the Big ... read more

Last night, an Afrikaans Wedding Reception was taking place, so the heavily advertised rules regarding noise and alcohol were waived. Apparently, the music was going on way past midnight, although I was oblivious! This morning, Sunday, the silence was broken at 07h00 by some Afrikaaner kid running around shouting “Get Up!”. So, we did. Washing, dressing and, seeing as this was the last morning (for some) with the tent, brushing them out and letting them dry before packing them. Consequently, we were not fully packed until 09h15, over an hour longer than normal! We drove the few short miles into Franschhoek, the town we'd not had a chance to view yesterday. Parking at the top of the town, we had the opportunity to walk down the main street at a leisurely pace. The French Corner came ... read more

With the rain beating down, we'd retired to the tents at about 20h30 last night and battened down the hatches. With everything secure and away from the sides of the tent, I climbed into the sleeping bag and snuggled down. The wind battered the tent and the rain came from the south, then from the west and then vertically down! All the time, the waves smashed into the rocks just yards away. I slept well, waking at 06h00 in preparation to go back to the suspension bridge before breakfast and take some photographs. However, it was still raining, so I just went back to sleep. At 07h00, the weather had changed; the rain had gone and sunshine was beginning to reach the ground. Grabbing some clean clothes, a donned a waterproof and headed off for an ... read more

I didn't sleep too well last night, probably because I was in a big brass bed, in a bedroom, with three other rooms all to myself. It took me a while to get to sleep, even though I went to bed some three hours later than of recent. I'd also set the alarm for 07h30 so that I could get a quiet breakfast before we had to pack and leave by 09h30. However, I was awake at 05h30 and cold - longing for my sleeping bag, hard floor and tent!!! I didn't wait for the alarm. Instead I was up at 06h00 and pottering, opening the curtains and the windows. I walked down the road to take my breakfast and was led into a side room where the head-waitress insisted in stating the obvious with regard ... read more

Yesterday was Joke's birthday so we'd all retired to the bar last night, listening to African music and celebrating her 21st birthday (again). This morning I was woken at 07h30 by the sounds of ululation coming from the village followed by the voices of children singing. It was very magical to wake up to what is imagined to be traditional African sounds. After washing and taking breakfast, we looked at the weather and, donning warm jackets and waterproofs, waited for our ponies to arrive for today was intended to be a long walk into the Lesotho mountains with a Basotho guide.. Paul (not his real name?) sauntered down the path at the relaxed pace of the Basotho, blanket wrapped about him and hat sitting jauntily on his head. In his arms, he carried two waterproof bags ... read more