We first landed in Johannesburg but only to transfer to a flight to Cape Town, 5 nights at the swanky Cape Grace Hotel right on the revamped waterfront. We arrived 2 days prior to the conference, unfortunately the weather was so inclement that while Table Mountain rose immediately outside our rooms window it was not visible. We still managed to make good use of the time, getting over jet lag (a massage in our room by a masseuse who's last appointment was some of the Ozzie cricket team, helped), wandering around the waterfront and uptown to visit the ancient fort. One time down in the wharf area when it was pelting we decided to take a taxi van back to the hotel, we were the only ones getting on, but the driver did not leave until it was full and we mean full!!. By the time the fare was asked for Avan could not get his hand in his pocket and while struggling to do so a kindly lady paid for us under the threat of dearth if we did not pay it back when some passengers alighted. Oh!! did we mention we were the only non indigenous locals on the bus?.

Compliments of the convention we had the opportunity to socialize several times with the MC, Nick Farr-Jones ( Wallabies captain in the 1991 world cup win). Our first outing was out to the wine growing area of Stellenbosch and fortunately the sun came out for a wonderful winery lunch. We stayed on at Stellenbosch for a dinner/dance function at the
Town Hall.

Our second outing with the convention was to the Cape of Good Hope, the weather was again blustering and wet and Cape Point was one of the coldest places we've been. However it was also very beautiful in a stark way and worth the trip. As well as the business orientated sessions we also had a bit of fun when a ranger (Ian Thomas, author of The Power Of The Pride a most wonderfully illustrated book and a great read) who's job for 6 years was to track and record the evolution of a particular pride of lions. He made the presentation very entertaining and informative.
Heather also got to pat a cheetah bought to the convention for the purpose.

Eventually the weather came good and table mountain appeared towering above Cape Town and a wonderful subject for our video camera. Heather also purchased a lovely little water colour of table mountain by J H Wright which has pride of place on our lounge wall.

Next stop Sun City.