Wahoo!!! I bloody made it!

First off all massive thank you to everyone who sent me lovely messages before I went and for all the support you gave me - especially Briony, Lou Lou, Rachael and obviously Mum and Dad - you all made my life a lot easier!

As the plane took off I though - Rachel what the hell are you doing but after that initial panic I haven't stopped smiling except for the 12hr plane journey- I was in an isle seat next to two rather hefty men who got up and down the whole trip but didn't want to swap - the couple across the isle thought it was hilarious, so sat in my half seat I thought "great I've taken my Causley curse with me"!! WRONG!!! I'm having such an AMAZING time!!!! :)

I got my transfer easily and was at Ashanti Lodge by 10.00am - couldn't check in till 1.00 so just sat by the pool for a bit. The weather is gorgeous but quiet windy. I checked in with another girl in our shared dorm and we ended up spending the rest of the day together. She's a German girl called Katrin - her english wasn't great so I helped teach her all I know!! Poor girl! We walked down into the main town for a look around and had dinner on the waterfront listening to some African male singers. It was perfect!! We walked back just as the sun was setting and then went up to the bar in the hostel and met some other guests.

On Thursday I went off on my own and had a better look at the Town. There are some beautiful gardens I get to walk through and then through a market street. I had a look round the market but resisted buying anything - IT WAS SOOOO HARD!!! Its so windy here today and seems to be getting worse which makes it very hard to stay outside so I went to the Aquarium. It was really lovely and of course I got to see tutles! :) I got back to the hostel to find Katrin had checked out as she'd found somewhere to live ( she's staying 6 months) but she came back in the evening for a few drinks. After she left I went up to the bar and got chatting to a guy called Hamish who was a tour rep here for years so he gave me lots of good tips - although I'm not sure if I should take his advice as he's had malaria 3 times!!

Friday I decided to go for a walk out to Sea Point which had a salt water pool and a gorgeous walk along the prominade. I went past the stadium which was busy preparing for the U2 concert. Unfortunatley for me the walk was a long one and I ended up walking for 4 hours!! And yes mother I did burn!! I tried not to though - promise! I got back into town and had some food then booked a trip out to the Cape for Saturday. The weather has calmed down today and the cable car was open for the 1st time since I've been here so I headed up table mountain! It was stunning - it was just before sunset so I was able to have a wonder around and then watch the sun dissapear into the ocean - gorgeous! half the mountain was covered in cloud but it made it some beautiful and mysterious - I wondered off into the cloud I felt like some mystical being - wondering out of the cloud and was soaked and looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards! But the hair straighting has really worked - oh happy day! Exhausted got in and planned to have a quiet glass of wine before an early night . . . I got to bed at 3! Oops!

Saturday up early - not feeling so great - for my trip. There were only 2 other people on the trip so it was perfect. I'd met them a couple days earlier when I went into the information centre. They were brilliant! A married couple, Les and Heather, who were hillarious! They really made my day! It was a gorgeous day as we drove down to the Cape point and back up past boulders bay and the Botanical gardens. We stopped a lot for view points which were stunning. I walked up to the lighthouse at Cape Point, sat with the penguins on boulders beach - they were nesting so I didn't go too close but I saw a little chick!! It was sooo cute - I've decided I want one! We then had lunch in a lovely restaurant and Les paid which was so nice of him! I had a good old walk round the botanical gardens - I can't describe how stunning the veiw was with tropical plants everywhere then the massive mountain rearing up behind - awesome! Through out the day I saw 2 lizards, ostrich, an antelope on the beach, baboons, penguins and a weird little mouse thing - how happy am I!! We got dropped back in the evening and as I'm checking out tomorrow thought I'd have a quiet one - and I really mean it tonight! Going to the meeting hotel tomorrow to start the safari and will blog when I get a chance after that starts. Every one I meet can't believe I'm doing a 40 day safari as the ones who've done it for 2 weeks said 2 weeks nearly killed them! So bring it on!!!

Tried to upload photos but the computer won't let me! :( I'll try again next time

Much love and stay safe x x x