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A Wet Cape
You begin to appreciate the size of South Africa when the news reports talk about 38,000 people flooded out in Cape Town informal settlements after days of torrential rain whilst 19 people die in forest fires in the north east of the country following prolonged drought.
Having had our brush with fire in Howick we have had more than our fair share of rain and wind on our way to the Cape along the coast. On our last night in Hermanus we were forced to take refuge in a Relais Chateaux hotel on the seafront, the first and last time we will sip cocktails in one of this 5 star chain establishments for less than 6 pounds!
In our final drive along the coast before reaching the warmth and shelter of Heike & Clint's house in Somerset West we were lashed with rain and battered by gale force winds. Even the African penguins at Stoney Point, Bettys Bay were feeling the cold, huddled in their burrows and clearly thinking they were nesting on the wrong continent.
Predictably the weather in Somerset West was no better but at least we weren't in a tent! The Stellenbosch wine route held little appeal in such weather so we fell back on our tried and tested favourite pastime when it is too horrible to set foot outdoors.......eating and drinking (what else were you thinking we'd do?)
One frightening moment at Somerset West was the sight of Clint and friend Simon clad in ballet tights and lycra one morning, they claimed they were going mountain biking but who knows? Naturally I attempted to reassure Heike regarding male bonding rituals but I may have muddied the waters a bit, oops!
After eating the contents of Clint & Heike's very large fridge we decided it was time to leave and descend on Ken & Nancy Le Roux in Durbanville. Fortunately they also have a large fridge so we may be here some time! Oh, and it is still raining by the way!
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