Just Chillin

Well I guess im in to the last week of my holidays and with by broo back to work so ive decided to slow down and just chill out for the next few days or so. Hmmm whats the weather like in the U.K.

Just click on picture for full size.

Cape Point

It was a really hot day at around 33c melting point when we went down to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. As you can see in the picture the left hand side is the Indian Ocean and the right hand is the Atlantic Ocean. The views from there were really fantastic as I could see down both sides of the coast at once. There are quite a few steps up to the light house at the end of the point and took me a while to get to the top but was well worth the effort just to see the views. It was on the way own that the sun got to me and I got a touch of sun stroke. The next day I was fine again and a trip to Simons Town was on the agenda. Again it was a nice sunny day as we approached this very pretty place of the old military town. There was still quite a few military vessels in the harbor to see.

Fine Wine

Up early again for a 2 hour drive into the wine area of the Western Cape. The clouds hung heavy with a real threat of rain but that did not dampen our sprits. Once again driving through some of the most beautiful parts of South Africa surrounded by mountains. As we approached the wine valley it came quite appropriate the vast size of the wine making industrial in South Africa. There were wineries all over the palace many with famous name as you and I know of which we can buy there products in our local super markets. The winery we stopped at was called Robertson Winery who produce wines under the trade mark of Van Lovern wines. After a long drive up there dusty drive way we came to the car park surrounded in a beautiful garden full of kinds of flowers and roses. It was only later that I learnt that the reason why all wineries have so many roses is to keep the bugs of the vines. As we walked through the gardens we came up onto a large opening with table and chairs so we took the weight off our feet for a while. A waitress approached us and handed out a full wine list and asked us which ones would we like to taste sample ….taste as many as you like…..!!! Yeah did I just die and go to wine heaven !!!. “Well could I try this and can I try that” A few moments later she came back with 3 bottles of the wine I had chose and a large bottle of water …plus a large kind of bowl with the idea that you first taste the wine and then empty the remainder in your glass into the bowl and then swill your glass with water and also empty that into the bowel before the next tasting. Hmmmm the taste of the wines were the finest I have tasted for a long time. This waitress must have been keeping a eye on me as no sooner had I finished tasting the last bottle of fine wine was she back again. “What would you like to try now sir ?“ Oh boy I like this. Once again I chose another 3 bottles of what I fancied. This vent on for aa goood hour unfill I have had enough (hic) sloshly we got to leave and then windy`s world vase spinning around and around. Hic hic zzzzzzzz. zzzzzzz

Table Mountain

Time to write a little more. Tuesday I went up table mountain being a nice clear day. Set of early for the 15 minute car drive to the base of table mountain. We arrived just after 8pm to be greeted by a very large queue waiting for the cable cars. My broo came up with a great idea and told a officer in charge of the queue about my hip. No problem just go straight to the turn style there and pay your money and up you go……what a nice man. Talk about queue jumping hehehe. We had about a 5 minute wait before a cable car came down the mountain for us and then we duly got on board. The cable car could hold up to 65 people at one time and can carry 900 passengers an hour. Mind you im not surprise by the length of that queue. As the cable car started its short journey up the mountain the floor started to revolve around so everyone one board could have a great view as it went up. At the top the mountain we departed the cable car and was just stunned by the breath taking view. Im sure I could see Ray on lady Jane. The top of the mountain is very large and you can walk for hours just looking at the breath taking views I think I took around 75 photos all told. As some cloud was around it just floated by in the valleys below. What a truly beautiful place Cape Town is from the mountain top. We walked for almost 2 hours resting in-between as my hip was causing me some grief. I think there is only one way to describe being up there is that angels must live there. When I return home I will make up a cd with all the pictures of my holiday for those that are interested.

Great White Shark

Hi everyone its time to update the blog again. Hope you all had a great new year. Its been a very busy week seeing and doing lots of things. As most of you know my highlight of my trip was to go cage diving with the great white sharks. Well at long the wait was over. My broo and myself left at 5.15 am as we had a two hour drive to Shark Bay and needed to be there for breakfast at 7.15. We arrived on time and drove down to the beach from the main road to find a little town full of shark fever. There were quite a number of boats making preparations to sail out. We reported to SHARK LADY and promptly had our breakfast and was introduced to the other people who we were to share the experience with. They were from all over the world. Americans, German, Australian, South African and little old me from the UK After breakfast we were taken outside and given a safety instructions on what to do and what not to do which were quite in depth. We were then ask to sign a indemnity form. It was only then that I released how dangerous this was going to be. So with 3 crew and 12 passengers on board we set off on the twin engine outboard motor boat. It was partly a cloudy morning and the sea had about a ten foot swell as we raced out into Shark Bay. After proximally 20 mins we dropped anchor. The crew then threw in the bait on the end of a short length of rope and also some blood like ground bait to attract the great whites. Once again we were given final safety instructions. I was then told that because of my health problem with my hip that I would be unable to get in and out of the cage. Not to disappointed as the water was really cold I was told I could go up to the upper deck as I would have a great view from there. All eyes were searching the water for the sight of the first great white. After a short period the captain shouted out !! Shark Shark !! and the cage was lowered into the water. From where I was viewing I could see this dark mass approaching the bait a few feet from the boat. Up came the shark and rolled over sideways to show his white belly and his “JAWS” wide open to take the bait…..!!!! what a sight to see….ohh my god the size of that mouth.
It kept swimming around for a while and then disappeared into the dark depth of the ocean. We did not have to wait long for another shark to show up and once again gave us all a thrill as it kept swimming and turning as it took the bait. After around 3 hours and a few more sharks spotting it was almost time to return to shore. I came down to the lower deck and just stood at the ready watching the water Just then the captain cried out !!! Shark Shark !!! and told the people who were sitting on top of the cage to get in. One young girl was either deaf or did not hear the shout for her to duly get in the cage. The shark made a lurch for the top of the cage and as his head broke water and his mouth wide open. At this point the young girl fell into the cage and the shark turned and with its tail hit the boat. I stood there drowned from head to foot with amount of water the shark flipped over into the boat, still holding my video camera and wondering if I had caught the scene on tape…..but im sadly to report that I had not. The young girl did not need telling off by the look on her face when she got out of the cage. There is no doubt in my mind how dangerous this great white shark is. It is a wonderful creature in its own environment. A truly great experience I would not have missed.

Christmas Day

Hi every one with Christmas day and boxing day over and I guess you’re all still stuffed with turkey and wine. Hope you all had a really great day. I had my Christmas dinner at The Winchester Hotel along the front promenade at Cape Town. Its was a nice warm day and we sat out side under umbrellas keeping the hot mid day African sun off us. The meal was help your self buffet type and eat as much as you can. When we sat down there was a bottle of champers cooled on the table awaiting to have it’s cork popped which we duly did. Then it was time to hit that buffet table. There was all kinds of very well presented food to gloat over ranging from the turkey to steamed salmon. Plenty of local tastes as well. Hmmm now where do I start. After 3 hours of eating and drinking at a fine hotel came the bad news THE BILL. When I took a look I could not believe how much….no ways could that be right. Please sir could you check my bill again I think you have made a mistake. A few minutes later the bill returned “No mistake sir the bill is correct” For all that food and wine I only paid the equivalent of 27 British pounds. After dinner we did a little sight seeing of Cape Town from the mountains and as we drove up the twisting road to the summit of the mountain next to table mountain. (a visit up table mountain is planned for next week) Cape Town is a very pretty place and what did strike me is how clean every thing is. As we drove further up the mountain and through the fast moving cloud we reached the top. Looking down over the expanse of Cape Town and the bays of clear sea water which I might add is so blue and clear. Boxing day we just relaxed in the hot sun for the day im almost done both sides now and looking quite brown and ….done to a Tee as they say.
Keep checking the blog for up dates in the mean time take a look at the video. Bye for now…..

Arrived in Hout Bay

Just got a few minutes free so I thought I would up date the blog. I arrived after a long flight of 27 hours. I left Manchester airport one hour late at 9pm, changed flight at Dubai for Jo`burg and again at Jo`burg for Cape Town arriving on time at 9pm local time (uk – 2 hours) It was a lovely warm evening of around 18c . My broo and Yvonne were there to meet me . BIG HUGGS all around and then promptly of home for a well deserved drink and chat. I am staying at a place called HOUT BAY just outside Cape Town. The only problem I had dureing my flight was at Dubai airport with security as going through the security check door the alarm rang out and I promptly froze. This 6`0” well built Arab approached me so fast I felt the down stream. “Empty all your pockets into the tray and put it through the xray machine and go back though the door” Yes sir was my reply. Once again the alarm rang out. The Arab looked down at me. “take your shoes and belt off and put them into the tray and go through the xray security door again. Y yes s s sir and promptly did as the nice man asked me holding my pants up with my hands . Horror, shock and other words I can`t say here.the alarm struck like big Ben again. The big Arab said “I will have to search you sir…….lift your arms up” Erm well erm my pants will fall down was my weak reply. Lift your arms up please sir. Hell no my pants will fall down can we not go to a private room ? ARMS UP PLEASE SIR. Ok and lifted up my arms and felt a cool windy breeze below. After I had promptly pulled up my pants he let me go on my way. It must have taken me all of 5 minutes to get myself dressed and sorted before I could get on my way again. Doughnut !!!! The next few days I spent talking and looking at the local scenery and I have taken a pic of the view from my bedroom which I have posted here. The weather is nice and sunny with a tempture of 27c. Keep looking at the blog as it will be updated regular.