3rd January 2009

One week here already - how time flies. Yesterday we went down to Simonstown which is a naval town - very colonial looking but still an active naval base, and the home of the cape penguins. They weren't on the beach because it was full of locals making the most of the last few days of the holidays but we did see quite a lot nesting under bushes. We then drove on down to Cape Point which is the southern most part of Africa and where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We skipped the funicular railway to the lighthouse at the top and walked up instead - very good for the legs and bum I think! We also did the additional Diaz Walk which was a bit nearer to the actual point. This was downhill so a welcome break - trouble was we had to walk back up again to get back to the car. John's Hummer attracts lots of attention wherever we are and I'm sure it must figure in a lot of people's photos from the times we see people taking photos against it. It does help when it comes to getting a parking marshall to find a space and keep and eye on it while you're gone. This is something else I've found different here - you pay them a couple of rand (about 10p) when you come back!

Anyway, Cape Point is also home of the baboons but we hadn't seen any on our drive down or while we were actually at the point but on our way out of the nature reserve I spotted one sitting on the roof of a building so we stopped in a nearby visitor centre car park. Sure enough after a few minutes there were quite a few around. You have to be very careful as they can snatch bags, cameras etc but we kept a distance and I managed to film them and take a few photos. Even the baboons like the Hummer - one climbed on the back and was trying to take the wiper off when John scared him off. As we were outside at the time I have got that on film too.

Today was the Kaapse Klopse - a festival of marching bands and dancing with a caribbean carnival feel. Once again lots of film and photos. Hope I can get a cable or card reader soon so that you can all see my photos.

Still lots to do here so will post again soon