LEAVING UK 'How little can one pack for a 245 day holiday?' was the name of the game the day before leaving England. A fair bit was the answer. The blue rucksack team won by a small margin. Our thanks go out to Gilly, Guy, Megan & Drew for providing a roof over our heads after we became homeless in the UK. Uneventful plane journey other than in-flight entertainment malfunction meaning that we had to watch Brokeback Mountain on continuous loop all that way to Cape Town (thanks for that B.A. - you will be receiving my letter shortly). SOMERSET WEST Stayed with Michelle's relatives near Cape Town on first night. No sign of sun. Worried at this point. It must 'sun' every day on our holiday. I fear disappointment to come (read on those of you who like to hear about rain). Good stroll in mountains. No sign of lions, giraffe, zebras, monkeys, dangerous looking spiders etc. Further disappointment......... STELLENBOSCH Staying with friends in the upmarket wine-town. Starting to feel spoilt now. Walk in mountains above M's 'old' university. Still not attacked by dangerous spiders or lions. Concerned that Africa has 'gone soft' - this is not what the books said. More good feeds thanks to Margie & Cobus. J learns how to outrun a hungry Great Dane (4 legged variety). CAPE POINT Watching wild cape storms and huge waves crashing on rocks while sipping on good red wine next to a raging wood fire pretty much sums up our weekend at Cape Point Nature reserve. We spent our first weekend with friends of Michelle's from Elgin - all. Not much walking but eating 'braai' meat was high in the agenda. FLIGHT HOME FROM CAPE POINT Driving over Sir Lowry's Pass was below Jez and Matthew as they opted for a quick flight from Cape Town to Grabouw with Bugs in his Baron. Good views of the Western Cape from the air including a few of fellow friend's farms in Grabouw. YZERFONTEIN Borrow Huxter's ship-on-wheels (large 1980's Merc) for 2 hour drive up the West Coast, north of Cape Town to M's grandparents' beach-house with Emile, M's brother. Spent first three days here eating from braai, walking on coast and enjoying 25-30 degree sun and clear skies. Visited by cousin Lincoln and Michelle's old school-friend Kim. M's grandparents arrive for last two days and partake in unique West Coast fish braais of bokkom (not for the faint-hearted) & snoek (for you Europeans, this means a Barracuda of sorts). ONRUS Weekend at friends' beach-house at Onrus (Margie, Cobus, Steph & Jack). Beach walks, braais, visit to Hermanus' market and art galleries. Return west on Sunday evening to Vyeboom, Bersdale Farm. VYEBOOM Sunday evening to Nicky & Bugs' place for dinner. Early start out onto Nature Conservation area next to farm. 5 of us (one with 4 legs) onto Bakkie for cold early morning drive onto reserve. Mist rising over valley at foot of mountains while eating breakfast outdoors with a sunrise - worth getting out of bed for! Spotted Eland (not hard - he was eating grass next to road). Could not find the 7 local zebra despite Bugs' tracking skills. Great start to the day. FRANSCHHOEK Stayed night in most civilized Franschhoek hotel - Le Quartier Francais (good recommend from Huxters - thanks) before attempting Catspath footpath up Franschhoek Pass. Drowned rats describes well our condition after 15 minutes of walking. Persevered for a good distance before heading into cloud and an abrupt about-turn. Over to Elgin to Bev and Charles Morgan to dry out. Thanks Morgan's for a great eve. Said goodbye to the Huxter's ship after 10days of loyal service to our cause, Bruce and Issy, we look forward to returning the favour in the UK. BOLAND TRAIL Long-planned walk in mountains near Franschhoek took place on the Friday. After days of solid rain, the Friday looked as if it was clearing. Met Nicky & Bugs and started Boland Tail late, 12:30a.m. 22km of mountain trail to do in 6 hours - hmm a tight call. Other than a short spell of sun and clear sky, it rained in a big way. Wading through storm-swollen rivers (in underwear), giving up trying to stay dry, eating on the move, wondering if we would be home by dark etc. We made it in the end - just. Big feed and sleep that night listening to the continued downpour. Great trek it was. Cannot say we conquered the mountain though. We'll call it a draw. R62 - KAROO After farewells to Elgin crowd, we set off on the road, morning after the Boland trek. Route 62 recommended as the 'way to go' in light of the on-going heavy rain in the Western Cape. Superb road east through plains and mountains to Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith & Calizdorp. Found Red Stone Hills self catering cottages (another good recommend - thanks M & M). Two nights here making the most of the indoor Braai to make up for the changeable weather. Ventured over the Swartberg Pass in small hire car (amazing what they can do these days!!) avoiding fallen boulders and swollen river fords (drifts as them locals call 'em). Also visit to Prince Albert returning via stunning Meiringspoort. Left Karoo via De Rust, Uniondale, Avontuur, Prince Alfred's Pass & Wittedrift. GARDEN ROUTE Continued east along garden route from Plettenberg Bay via Natures Valley. Camped at Storms River Mouth. Slightly overcast while pitching but the wind was the hint of the night to come. After turning-in the heavens opened - and remained open all night and until AFTER we had packed up and taken most of the water into the car with us. Rain cleared and allowed for a post-breakfast 2 km trek to the spectacular river mouth. Sadly, no boat trips running (they have more sense than us). EAST CAPE & TRANSKEI Continue on drive east via cousin at Uni in Port Elizabeth on to relatives in East London. Dog walking, biking, eating etc. Joined by Emile for evening. Skies starting to clear at last! Next day departed for Transkei. (currently in Jo'burg either heading to Vic Falls or Perth next. Will keep you informed and will be adding photos to website soon - promise!)