Now up to date with blogs (two new today) To see previous entries -click on blog tab above. The latest blog describing our trip to Cape Town follows......

We have had long weekend in Cape Town. Leaving on Sunday and staying till Tuesday afternoon. Cape Town is a very dramatic city with the tabletop mountain providing an impressive backdrop to the city which is also on a harbour, and beach;so it has both the mountains and the beaches around it. One is struck immediately with the shanty town dwellings which line the super freeway from the airport to the city. We hired a car and made our way into town where we were booked into a very nice place. It was in the centre of the city but also near the waterfront where there is lots of actionWe first went for a walk uptown and went to the gardens where there are also many lovely Victorian era buildings harking back to the time of British rule. Got caught into a market and could not help buying a beaded elephant, He is just gorgeous, had to have him; also bought some other trinkets. We then made out way down to the waterfront and found a lively area with bands and people singing. Lots of Tourists. They had also had a big cycling race called the Argus on that day so the place was taken over by cyclists. There were about 50,000 cyclists and Lance Armstrong was also competing. It is the largest cycling race in the world. Jack and I were wishing we had had our bikes too. Had a lovely meal looking over the marina and watched yachts and boats coming and going. Mostly they were taking passengers on sunset cruises.

Next day we were up early to go to Table Mountain on the cable car. Set off early to miss the crowds and got up to the top in easy time. It is so spectacular. Just fabulouso. The day was perfect as there was little wind and a good temperature and we were able to walk for an extended area over the top, seeing views to everywhere.. Absolutely fantastic. We then headed off down to the Cape of Good Hope, past the classy beach apartments and homes of the rich and famous. As we went further towards the Cape the terrain became more rugged and desolate with high jagged cliffs and mountains along the way. All spectacular; had lunch at Port Simon (Simonstown) an old British navalstronghold, still very British but quite touristy. Then down to the Cape where the wind had picked up and once into the nature reserve there were Baboons playing and feeding on the side of the road. In the backdrop were wind surfers out riding the waves. We really enjoyed out trip there so headed back to Cape town and went to a fancy hotel for a cocktail and to watch the sun set over the water to the west. .

Next day we spent some time in the city and then went to Stelle nbosch , a winery just outside of the city. Past the shanty towns again, such a diverse range of living here, however there is less a sense of danger everywhere, as a lot of homes do not have the razor wire surrounding their properties. And when walking down the street although you have to be cautious there is not the same tension in Cape Town. The tabletop mountain is quite something,