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Voyageur - Log day 215 - A walk in the woods and a last lobster lunch in Cape Town...



7 January 2011

It is the last day with our hire car and David and I suddenly realise that that the time has come to make choices. Do we have a last lunch at one of the many fantastic wineries within easy driving distance of our base here in Hout Bay or do we do something less sophisticated but nonetheless enjoyable and what is more, healthy, go for a good long walk to stretch those legs that are going to be going nowhere for the best part of a month, with a lunch at a favourite venue in Cape Town. The latter option won, but only because we were held up for over an hour at the fuel pontoon.

In spite of the fact that we were told it was open from 6am, by 9am there was no sign of life. Of course David and I had set our alarm for 6.45am and we waited patiently, well maybe in David's case not so patiently for the office to open. Once more secured to our pontoon, and believe me it takes us at least half an hour to make sure that we are indeed safely secured, we decided to walk in Constantia Woods as by now the morning was nearly half over, the sun was rising high, it was going to be another scorching hot day and the original plan to walk Lions Head in the lee of Table Mountain had to be abandoned. It will have to wait until next time. We drove along Rhodes Drive towards Cape Town knowing that this would be the last time we would drive along this lovely road, this time around anyway. Towering pines and cork trees gave a lovely shade. With the sun's intensity bringing out the smells of the woodland, we breathed in deeply, savouring the aromas. The pine was overpowering. We saw our last view of False Bay and beyond. The ocean was completely calm. The dunes dazzling white against a background of startling blue South African sky. Cape Hangklip and Cape Point seen just and no more in a haze of heat.

We drove past Government Square, and on past Green Market Square with the lively and colourful daily Afrikaans market, along the waterfront and pitched up at Panama Jack's, in Elliot Basin, as always one of the most popular places in town (we had booked ahead) ordered lobster and Two Oceans wine. Two Oceans is very budget priced but good. I particularly love the connotation, the Indian and Atlantic coming together in one blend. What a wonderful day on which to leave Cape Town.

Susan Mackay


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