Judy here…

The guys went to pick up our hire car, a comfortable Toyota Fortuner SUV. As we headed off on our drive to Cape Point, it was cloudy with light rain, but it cleared and the sun was soon shining. What a wonderful drive, we passed Hout Bay which we had seen from Table Mountain, on through Kommetjie, then to Cape Point Lighthouse, with stunning views and where the Atlantic Ocean (9-15C deg) meets the Indian Ocean (22-25C deg). We walked about 800 mtrs up a steep hill to the lighthouse to take in the view, which showed the Cape of Good Hope below us. After "overloading" on the view, it was down the hill and onto the Cape of Good Hope, with treacherous seas crashing onto the rocks. We waited to take the ubiquitous photo memorialising "we was here".

Afterwards it was off to Franschhoek, travelling the east coast of the Cape peninsula via Simon's Town and through the Stellenbosch wine region. The area is covered in vines, and the views are just magnificent, as we passed through Helshoogte Pass. We arrived in Franschhoek and found our accommodation at Rickety Bridge winery, a most quaint, white painted, thatched roof home which overlooks the vines and surrounding mountains. The furnishings are of period style, matching the house and the lounge area had big, deep sofas and a welcoming fire burning. Our room was a suite with views of the grapevines in the front. There was a claw foot bath, which I later enjoyed and relaxed in!! We were met with a lovely welcome from Martha who offered us the choice of a glass of port or sherry, I went with the sherry and it was delicious.The countryside is absolutely stunning as the town is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, some covered with grape vines and gorgeous white painted "Dutch Cape" style housing with thatch roofs. The main street is quaint with lots of great little shops, bars, restaurants etc.

We had booked a restaurant for dinner "The Tasting Room", that offered a degustation menu based on South African cuisine which was paired with local wines...this flavours were absolutely sensational and we all agreed it was very clever and creative cooking and the price was a third of what you would pay in Australia for the same standard of food and the wines, which are also exceptional. Some of the dishes we had were Nasturtium shongololo, amasi ricotta powder, burned potato (see photo); Mandela Bay oyster, vichyssoise, sour fig, roasted baby cos; Duck in salt, boere kinders, buckewheat; Mushroom and cocoa nib kudu (venisons), brinjal and the desert was to die for Snow globe, num num, ginger and coco pops (popcorn), followed by several small cakes..A sensational day!

Quote of the day - "We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." - Hilaire Belloc

Distance travelled 191k; Sunny 16deg; Altitude 432m