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Thursday 01st March (pinch, punch, first of the month and no return!)
Jounal entry brought to you by Sophie
We spent the morning hiking along a short part of the Otter Trail, which takes around a week to fully complete. It was a beautiful setting but not too testing so I thoroughly enjoyed it. We eventually arrived at a small, private cove called Salt River Mouth where I spent an enjoyable time swimming the sea and Tami artistically drew pictures in the sand. It is meant to be a prominent spot for hammer head sharks and otters but we didn't see either. Boo!
The trek took us along the coastline, which stongly reminded me of Duke of Edinburgh (yes it is spelt that way Matt Bunce!) and then we arrived at the beach where we had spent the night before eating dinner. It was meant to take three hours but us being the hardcore walkers that we are did it in about and hour and a half. We even managed to see dolphins the sea as we were walking the cliff face which was exciting. :)
I was very annoyed when we got back because there was no hot water and I had to tramp it with sea water in my hair. GRR! Anyway enough moaning, the next part of our journey Tami and I were looking forward to because we were going to Knysna. This had been recommended by a number of people as being a gorgeous little spot and they were right. We had a few minutes to grab lunch then boarded the ferry which was to take us around the lagoon. Tami and I managed to nab the seats on the top, which gave a stunning viewing deck. The tour guide was brilliant explaining in all the history and pointing out the sights to see. There were several expensive houses nestled in the hillside (yes mother I have taken photos of them so you can have a good old nosy at them...) which were massive. One mansion had about 5 outbuildings attached to it and was absolutely huge - the guide told us the grand total of 2 people lived in it! So unnecessary! The headland is quite rough, which was something we got to experience as we got closer and is apparently so dangerous no one will insure a boat daring to travel through! Scary stuff.
After this we had a little exploration in the town and Tami, as usual being the most troublemaking human in the world/universe/space ever, decided to let her card get eaten by an ATM. Honestly you would think trouble was stamped on her forehead. Luckily Keith being the genius that he is managed to get someone from the bank to come and dig the card out, after ringing a dental surgery. Do not ask.
Anyway following this little mishap we journeyed on to our last stop of the day and infact the safari, a coastal town called Mossel Bay. Jon had told us to avoid this place because it was boring but I thought it had personality. Heide and I were really excited about a tree there so especially got out of the car to go and have a look. Basically, after Batholomeu Dias' discovery of the bay in 1497 it became a stop off point for ships to collect water and to barter for provisions with the Gouriqua Khoekhoen who lived in the region. A large milkwood tree by the spring was used as a postal collection point - expeditions heading east would leave mail to be picked up by ships returning home. Apparently they would often leave notes in shoes at the foot of the tree. Hence the name the postal tree. I thought you would be excited by this mother so I had to include it. No pictures though I am afraid, but you get the idea.
Our last hostel was set in a beautiful 18th century mansion with amazing gardens and a cosy braai area with hammocks. Before our anticipated dinner we went for a swim in the sea at the beach.
Now you thought I would have learnt my lesson from last time and not worn my glasses but the sea looked so calm I rebelled. Anyway to cut a long story short I had my back to the sea and this unbelievably big wave came out of nowhere and knocked me over. And my glasses came off. And I spent a good half an hour looking for them along with Keith, Tami, Heide and some random Swedes (well, I think they were Swedish) who I enlisted by offering them a million rand if they found them. However, they were lost forever. Tami and I had a little giggle because we had a vision of a little shark coming along wearing them while we were on our shark cage dive...So now I have to spend extortionate amounts of money on some new ones and not eat for several weeks to pay for them.
However my day was brightened by the best shower ever and the most delicious braai you could ever eat. There was butternut squash and another squash and peppers and garlic butter and feta cheese and potatoes and curried carrots and it was just yum! We spoke for a short while to a hippy english couple whilst lazing in the hammocks and then blindly I went off to bed.
PS Love to my GUG and Jane and Will
PPS Love to the Baxi people - peanut butter is not as good over here as it is in England. Annabel, Chloe, Gareth and Lindsay hope you are missing the rice cakes!
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