Well we made it. Got through Valentine’s Day!
Going back to the start of yesterday though, we left Franschhoek at just gone 9. It was a lovely day and we climbed up through the pass out of town and looked down over the valley. The sun was out and all was right with the world!
We had a plan as well. Through the pass, past the dam, drop down to Kleinmond on the coast and have a coffee overlooking the beach. Then go to see the penguins and Stoney Point before lunch at the Botanic Gardens. What could go wrong?
Well the weather for one thing. As we made our way towards the coast it clouded up. And then it clouded down and, eventually as we neared the coast we were driving through the cloud. And it rained. Quite hard. One of those very persistent, very wet drizzles. Like driving through a cloud!
Plan B involved us changing the coffee stop to the harbour rather than the beach. But arriving there our intended place was closed. But we did find another open establishment - not the most salubrious but it did serve coffee.
There seemed little point in looking at penguins or, indeed, the botanic gardens in the rain so we pressed on and, what do you know, all of a sudden we drove out of the rain and into bright sunshine again. Funny old day!
We arrived at Gordon’s Bay in bright sunshine and found it was just on beer o’clock so had a quick one! After, and taking a slightly circuitous route, we made it to Constantia for a bite of lunch before going on to Hout Bay.
We were met by Susanne, the apartment owner. She’s from Essex but has been in SA for 18 years. Very nice, very talkative! The apartment is nice although built into the hillside and we are up two flights of stairs. There is a venicular(sic) big enough for one person or, at least, some bags. If only it worked!
We have a long kitchen, dining room, lounge and a small sunny balcony from which, beyond the Milkwood tree you can see the sea. Downstairs is a bathroom and bedroom again with a balcony.
Digressing, we had been looking at a paper with some property adverts in and the in thing in estate agent jargon is a ‘pajama lounge’. We haven’t got one!
Today is a mooch around the town for a bit of shopping, a stroll round the harbour, the odd beer and a spot of sunbathing.
Don’t let Dennis get you down!

A&L

PS Some pics added