Leaving and arriving

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It seems like a long time since we started planning this trip, from the initial idea to taking the decision to do it. Six months planning later and here we are. The last few weeks seem like a bit of a blur between leaving work, packing and getting everything ready. The one thing I really didn’t expect was the emotion, I don’t think either of us realised how many good friends we had especially at work so it’s a bit ironic to recognise that now. Still looking out the widow at the clear blue sky and the whales in the bay it seems worthwhile.

Simonstown is the furthest town on the Southern Peninsula, it looks a lot like a small English seaside town, expect for the penguins, seals, great whites and lots of whales at this time of year. Established by Simon van der Stel in the 16th Century as the main base for the Dutch Navy in the Cape it was adopted as the Royal Navy’s base of operations in the early 19th Century. It’s still a naval town so there’s a small shipyard and has SA’s main naval ships and submarines in dock.

Since we arrived the weather has been great, although it’s mid-winter the temperature is still up around 22 and windy but it is still better than London was when we left. So far we are training for the game reserve work by walking loads in the mountains behind the flat, which are part of Slivermine Nature Reserve. The vegetation is mostly coastal fynbos and populated by loads of birds and small mammals. Fynbos is fascinating as the smallest of the worlds six floral kingdoms much of it is endemic to the Cape and some plants are so specialist they are only found in small areas. As it’s the rainy season, a lot of plants are in flower carpeting the mountainside in colour.

Even though we’re miles away from the UK I still managed to convince Sandra to get down the pub on Saturday evening for Sunderland v Liverpool, a few beers and a spectacular Torres goal later we toasted Steve Potts. Surprisingly there were no Sunderland fans about….

The swell has been pretty constant so the surfing has been good; I’m still crap but getting better. Although from the top of Constantiaberg it’s worrying how close Seal Island and the resident white shark colony is to the beach. I’m taking some small comfort that there is a shark spotter up on the mountain to sound the alarm when he spots a shark in the bay. There is plenty of less threatening sea life about; seals, the penguins at Boulders beach and on Sunday there was a southern right whale about 10m off the beach swimming along between the kayakers, it made for some interesting breakfast viewing from our window.

Looking forward to getting the vehicle sorted so we are spending a bit of time at the internet café’s looking for suitable Land Rovers so we can start to equip ourselves for the overland trip.

SANDRA
Steve - please don’t tell Matt that fixing a leaky water pipe is an easy 5 minute job. He did manage it, 36 hours later, 4 trips to the builder’s merchant, a new section of pipe, metres of plumbers tape, 2 different types of plumbers putty, lots of sweat and expletives he finally fixed it. Next time tell him to call a plumber in!!!!

Just like Frankie Gavin sent home from the Olympics for being to heavy, Matt was initially denied boarding due to being overweight, by 3kgs. After repacking his belongings into my bag he finally made the weight.

You can only really hike here 2 directions, up or down Around the cape peninsula there’s no rolling countryside. Last Saturday we went hiking up Constantiaberg (923metres), stopping at ‘elephants eye’ which is a cave close to the top. Apparently on the other side of the mountain is another eye - the brown one, which is a chamber that can accommodate up to 6 men. Matt’s not too keen on exploring that one.

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Photos

Walking in Silvermine
Fish Hoek in the foreground, Simonstown in the distance

Fynbos
Chapmans peak in the background

Comments

[Katherine Ward]

What can I say but ........
You lucky b******s! It's rained for 4 weeks solid in 'sunny' Durham, spent most of my time willing the sun to come out and to top it off it's back to the pleasure dome in less than 2 weeks - I hate you (lol) Take care and stay safe! xxx

[Mum]

loving the blog
Hi-we are loving the blog and especially the photos. the weather sounds wonderful and sooooooo much better than ours-keep up the training

[Thomas Swanson]

Ola
Dear both, Glad to see you're there save and sound and seem to be settling into 'the life'!! Sounds like you are going to have a great time, so make the most of it.....it certainly beats london. Also Sandra, you want to have a word with Matt about that bandanna, one word, ridiculous! Adios Tom

[John]

Good Luck
Keep it coming, pictures look great. Just had a two week holiday in which it did not rain for ONE day !!! Helpful hint - Lions bite !