I seemed to convince Leanne to go to Cuba and seems she convinced me to come to Cape Town...

Super excited, with my eticket in hand I was now ready to board the Mango South African Airways flight from Lansaria International Airport to Cape Town International.

I arrived at 4:30pm where Leanne was waiting to pick me up. From there we drove towards the view of Camps bay with he spectacular and beloved Table mountain in front of us.

We went to Kloof Street for drinks at Rick's and then to Jackle and Hide for dinner with great view of Cape Town's CBD. After dropping my things at Leanne's brother's flat we all went for a night out at Long Street (vibey street with loads of themed bars and restaurants).

After a lovely lie-in I got to see the view from the flat; sea point, the world cup stadium and the ocean lined with palm trees. Not long after we were on our way to Kirstenbosch (Botanical gardens) with amazing plants including King Proteas, Allows and amazing views of Table mountain and Cape town, surrounding areas and the ocean. We had drinks at the Moyo restaurant with yet more amazing mountainous views.

Next, off to the V&A Waterfront on the wharf where we had fatastic sushi. After a cupa at Mug and Bean we had a quick Sunday afternoon chill at home. We went to Jubilee church in woodstock area and then we explored the Buena Vista Social Café for dinner and Salsa Dancing. I'd forgotten how much I missed Salsa and Spanish (after chatting with some Mexican guys).

Was great to have another later start. What a gorgeous day it was with blue skies and t-shirt weather...IN WINTER - yay!! We started our road trip to Cape Point. Over Chapman's peak we drove with the best views of the Coastline. The twelve apostles hotel was the next stop on our route for drinks at the Leopord bar with insanely beautiful views.

Lunch was at Simonstown where I had Snoek (fish indigenous to the Cape), was gorgeous - definately worth a try. We drove all along the coast line and passed Cape of good hope and then on to Cape Point. This is the end of the peninsula where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The views were spectacular.

We stopped off just out side of Simonstown on the way back at the beach with the cape Penguins, they were so cute...they prompted reruns of Madagascar in my mind...so I just smiled and waved to the boys.

We got back in time just to freshen up and hit the road to the Headquaters Restaurant on Heritage square for their fabulous signature steak and great South African vino. I met Leanne's sister and her future flat mate, really lovely. We went for Dom Pedro's at Hudsons, around the corner of our flat in Sea Point. Was a very enjoyable evening.

Last day in Cape Town. We were up a bit earlier to go for a run on the Sea Point promenade. The views were awesome and was the perfect thing to start the day. They have some fantastic out door gym equipment and sculptures along the route too, which I can imagine would be fantastic if one lived there and made use of it.

A bit of touristy activity was in order too...so I walked around Green Market square. I found it a bit weird that most of the South African good stalls were run by Kenyans and people from other African countries, guess it's African job creation ;)

Leanne and I had the best flat white just off the square and then she dropped me off at La Vie Restaurant and said "hi" to an ex-London colleague friend, Jolanda, before she disappeared on her flat viewing mission. Jols and I had a great catch up over some bubbles and cocktails. Was so good to see her after prob a year and half if not two years, since her stint in London.

The afternoon Leanne and I went up to table mountain's base cable car entry point, when they told us the view at the top was really bad. So as any rational thinking persons, we decided to have cocktail sundowners at Camps bay instead. The sunset was stunning and fantastic to experience the beauty and take in the vibe.

We left for Stellenbosch in the dark and arrived at Leanne's parents lovely house around 8pm, just in time for a delicious traditional mince based dish, called Bobotie.

After a really peaceful night's rest and breakie, we went on a road trip to Franschhoek were we stopped at the Huguenot memorial and then to Haute Cabriére for wine tasting. The view of the surrounding mountains was breathtaking. The wine tasting also only cost R30 for 6 tastes (around £1.70). I only aftewards understood the strategy though, when I walked out with about 10 times the tasting value of stock...ummm more than I wanted to spend.

Off to Paarl's side to Spice Route wine farm. We did another tasting, went to the Biltong (South African dried meat delicatessen) store, did beer tasting, chocolate tasting and explored the Grapperia. Took in the amazing views, philosophised over life and made the scenic route home in time for dinner. Leanne and I played a couple of games of pool in their lounge and called it a night.

Morning run was awesome with the most magnificent views of the mountain's on either side. We had lunch and headed to the Postcard Café which is on Stark winery's property. After coffee it seemed appropriate to go to the "island" a wooden hut on the lake about 50m away for wine tasting of their post card selection. The view once again was exquisite.

Off we went to the outskirts of Somerset west to Carol's place, which was simply in such a fantastic setting; sea view in the horizon and surrounded by vineyards! She kindly invited Leanne and I to ride some of the horses in the stables next door. The stables were about a 2min walk away from their main house complex. The wind was howling a bit, but Carol and I decided it was still worth an out ride. I got the white horse "Silla" who was fantastic to ride and kept me on my toes or more like my back straight;) We saw 2 rainbows and was magical riding through the vineyards with the view of the Strand beach in the horizon. I loved it eventhough we decided to cut the ride short as the wind was coming up and weather like that can drive them horsies a bit crazy, so was best not to go there.

Leanne and I headed back to Stellenbosch and left for Dorita and Francios' house for dinner. I had last seen Dorita in London around 5 years ago, so was really lovely to see them and meet their really handsome blond headed 2 year old son. We had a lovely time, as always too short though.

Had a great morning of lazing as it was raining quite a bit outside, think I storm was brewing with snow on the mountains. Leanne and I went to "Oude Bank" coffee shop which was set in an old Bank building, with an awesome atmosphere. After a good flat white we left for a Majeka Spa for a treatment in a lovely setting. After almost falling asleep it was time to go.

We met up with Carol for dinner which was delightful. Never realised Carol is into Salsa dancing, so of course after a bit of talk about Cali, pretty sure I'll be joining her there at some point ;)

We went to a really quaint bar afterwards for a night cap and before we knew it the evening out was over, however was not due to end that soon for Leanne and I. We got home to Leanne's parents and started chatting over a glass of Hannepoot (a sweet/desert wine). We chatted for a fair amount of time, was so lovely to have gotten to know them better as well, loved her parent! So at 1:30am my last night in Cape province had arrived!!

Leanne was up before me for a change as she did some settling stuff...like buying a really lovely car. With packed bags in her mums car (she had to wait to drive the new car) we left for a cool Route 44 market with hand crafted goodies and and excellent food hall with all traditional and international food and drinks.

Had lunch and left for Vredenheim wine farm on the way to the airport. They had all kinds of game on the farm such as Zebras, Eiland, Stags & Ostriches. For a change shockingly instead of wine tasting we had a fair-well coffee in the restaurant instead. What a lovely farm and what a lovely time it's been!

Onwards to Cape town international airport. Wasn't too long before we said our "see-you-laters" and I was on me plane back to Johannesburg. Got to Jo'burg just under 2 hours later and thankful I was alive as I felt I had to pray though the turbulence, but all good, as apparently here I am to tell the story;)