Sunday 4th January

Well what was supposed to be a nice relaxing day today turned out to be quite an exhausting one. We decided to walk along the beach from Big Bay - where John Lives - to Melkbos which is the next place down the coast. We thought it would be a nice Sunday stroll but it was further than expected and took over 2 hours of walking in quite soft sand a lot of the way. When we finally reached Melkbos we made our way off the beach - and found ourselves behind locked gates so couldn't get onto the road. We had to go back over the dunes and to the beach again and carry on for another half hour before we finally reached the public beach area and civilisation. We had a very well deserved cold drink or 3 and a pizza. Even the dogs were exhausted! Once we had recovered we decided to take a taxi back - but couldn't even find one of those going the right way. In the end a restaurant called one for us and we eventually arrived home about 5 hours after we left it. The road trip back was about 8km so the beach walk must have been more as the road is direct and does not follow the coast - no wonder we were all tired. Tomorrow we plan to go up Table Mountain - as long as the weather holds and there are no clouds over it!

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

Stage 1 - Cape Town

I left home at lunch time on Boxing Day for the journey to Heathrow. This was truly uneventful except for some very slow traffic on the M25 but we arrived in plenty of time anyway. I left from Terminal 5 which is quite something, shiny and new but easy to use and loads of shops but mostly upmarket ones. Unfortunately I didn't get the hoped for ugrade so it was the usual cattle class cramped seat for 12 hours - not as bad as Eurpean flights though which is just as well. I didn't manage any more than about 15 minutes sleep in the whole journey but it was still very exciting to watch the sun rise over African mountains. The plane landed about 15 minutes early at 6am - 4am UK time! The passage through customs and collecting the bag was quite quick too and John and his girlfriend, Alta, were there to meet me. By 7am I was sitting in the front seat of a dark orange Hummer on my way to his home in the Blaaubergstrand area of Cape Town.

We sat by their pool and had a cup of tea then, when the world had got up, went to a beach front restaurant, Doodles, for breakfast. This was a lot like an English breakfast and certainly gave me some much needed energy.

Later we took a stroll along the beach but otherwise had a leisurely day so that I could recover from the flight. Unfortunately, despite having but sun cream on I managed to burn my face and shoulders. Consequently I am now peeling - not a pretty sight.

When we got up on 28th (Sunday) it was quite cloudy although not really cold. I was quite pleased as it gave me a chance to heal the sunburn. We went to a couple of flea markets which are a mixture of car boot sale and african crafts markets. Quite interesting to see. Monday was also cloudy and whilst we were in town shopping the rain came down. It rained quite heavily for much of the day so not much done that day either.

Tuesday (30th) was once again sunny and we took a drive up to Signal Hill to see the Noon Gun fired. The views from up there were teriffic. We saw loads of hang gliders jumping off from up there too. We also went to town to an area called the Waterfront - harbour area but loads of entertainers there too. I have taken loads of video and photos but have just discovered that I don't have the right connector to upload the photos so I will have to get one - most things are available here in Cape Town from street vendors at the Robots (South African name for traffic lights). In the meantime though no photos to accompany my blog.

Yesterday was New Year's Eve and we had to shop for some things we needed for a themed party we went to last night - Hats and Shirts. Quite a good party and not as full on as the alternative invitation which was at a bar. I managed to survive without a hangover - although I did have to sleep late to recover. Today we went into Cape Town for the Kaarpse Klopse only to find it isn't until Saturday this year. So plan B was the castle but that was closed so it was on to plan C which was a trip to Camps Bay. This is a very upmarket area of Cape Town - except today when all of the blacks and coloureds make it their own. The roads were solid traffic for several miles in both directions and the beach and foreshore were solid bodies. It was quite an odd experience. Most of them don't have proper swim wear so were there in their underwear or shorts and t shirts.

So - now we are up to date again. I will try to post more regularly so that I don't forget anything - and upload photos as soon as I can.

The adventure begins

Well it's finally come - Boxing Day, the day it really begins. In about 3 hours time I will be setting off for the airport and a very long flight to Cape Town - I will arrive in about 20 hours time. The bag is packed although I couldn't make it in the baggage allowance so BA will be making a bit out of me today for excess baggage. As theirs is a flat fee for any amount of excess I have ended up taking a bit more than I would have - may as well get my money's worth!

Yesterday was a very low key affair - so low you wouldn't have known it was Christmas Day in our house. I did washing and ironing and various other domestic chores so just like any other day really. I did speak to all of my family though so have said my goodbyes. Just in time to need it most I dunked my mobile in the loo a couple of days ago so it's not very well. I have dried it out and it will work but it is a bit temperamental now. Hope it lasts until I get to New Zealand then I can get a new one with local pay as you go.

Will post more regularly after today and add some photos too - maybe even video if I can work that one out!

Saying goodbye

Been up to see Claire, Adam and Joseph this weekend for a farewell visit. Unfortunately Joseph isn't very well at the moment so he wasn't sleeping very well. fortunately I got cuddles and some video to take with me. Since we got back home again I have written myself a long list of things to do in the remaining few days before I go. Guess it's gonna go quick now!

One week to go

Well I've finally managed to escape from work. Very busy day today to make sure that I have everything cleared up before I go. Didn't quite manage it but I think I've done everything I can do. Now I can focus on getting ready to go.

This weekend we are at Claire's to have our pre-Christmas and farewell to them. Next week I have appointments to give blood and get my hair done and also the last Christmas party - at Jongleurs on Tuesday evening. Will also need to get the usual shopping, cleaning and washing done but hey 3 whole days to do it in! Good job I've got most of my packing done!

10 days to go

Well, all of a sudden it is now only 10 days to go and panic is starting to set in. I have spent the last weekend trying to decide what to pack - not an easy task when you only have 20kg and need to take business, holiday and oridinary casual wear. Need something for all eventualities really. I have also been spending! A Nintendo DS to keep me occupied on the long flights and when I'm Billy No Mates on my travels, and an Ipod Nano (pretty purple) - for entertainment variety. Now I have to find out how to use them! I also bought a video camera a few weeks back to record my adventures - something else that I am still learning about!