Cape Town and Garden Route

After a wonderful Christmas with the family in December 2009, I remained in Cape Town for another 5 weeks.  I was able to share in Matt's 7th birthday party with a water slide and lots of splashing and fun.  I also went taboggening with the family which was a great adrenaline rush, especially when I discovered that Sam has no fear of speed and sees no need to apply the brake on corners!

Other family outings included a trip up Signal Hill to see the new World Cup  football stadium, a picnic at  Llandadno Beach and a day out with mum and the kids at the Waterfront and Oceanarium.  We also did a a lovely Constantia Nek walk as well as walks at Silvermine.

I also got to see Ivor and I caught up with the people from the Hardcore Hiking club at a braai with James and Fiona.  We also went to Scarborough for the day to see Sean.

In addition to family activities, I took many photos in and around Cape Town at places like Table Mountain, Paarl, the Muizenberg to Kalk Bay walk, Kirstenbosch, Franschhoek, Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, Camps Bay, Boulders Beach and the World of Birds.

During the last part of my holiday, I did the Garden Route including Knysna, Nature's Valley, Oudshoorn and Robberg (in Plett). It was good to see this beautiful part of the world again. As usual, a highlight for me was the gorgeous Storm's River National Park where I did the first day of the Otter Trail. I love the way the ocean pounds the coast along this park's rocky shoreline and the sensation of walking across the suspension bridge.

In Cape Town, I did my first official photoshoot which produced some nice portraits of Meggan's children.  It was my first paying "gig"   I got a great shirt out of the deal!

Cape Town places

• Table Mountain
• Table View
• Simonstown
• Paarl
• Waterfront Oceanarium
• Muizenberg to Kalk Bay
• Llandadno Beach
• Kirstenbosch
• Franschhoek
• Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak
• Cape Point
• Camps Bay
• Boulders Beach
• World of Birds
• Cape Town Waterfront

Cape Town surrounds

• Nature's Valley
• Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farm
• Storm's River
• Robberg (Plett)
• Plett
• Knysna

Family and Friends

• Strandloper Restaurant
• Taboggening with the family
• Silvermine walk
• Signall Hill
• Scarborough
• Matt's 7th birthday (first party)
• Matt's 7th birthday (second party)
• Photoshoot
• Constantia Nek walk
• Braai with James and Fiona
• Christmas 2009

Boulders Beach (Cape Town)

I adore Boulders. This was my favourite beaches as a kid. I have vivid memories of sharing a blow up raft with Gramps here.  In those days, there were no penguins.  The penguins now add wonderful character to the beach.  You never know when one will emerge from behind a rock.

Waterfront (Cape Town)

Table Mountain (Cape Town)

Table Mountain, the jewel of Cape Town. I never grow tired of coming up here on foot or by cable car to look down onto the beauty of the city and sea below.

Signal Hill (Cape Town)

Cape Point (Cape Town)

I always love Cape Point.  Not just the coastal scenery and wild coast line, but also the awe inspiring fact that this is where two of the great oceans meet.

Franschhoek (Cape Town)

Franschhoek is special to me as Ally and I came here several times for romantic weekends away.  We used to eat lunch at one of my favourite restaurants in the world, Le Petit Ferme.  Then, when we got married, we came here on our honeymoon.  So many wonderful memories attached to this place.

Table View (Cape Town)

Surely this sublime view must rate as one of the great spectacles on the planet.

Outdshoorn Ostrich Farm

I can't believe this is my first time to The Ostrich Farm. Of course, I couldn't resist the temptation to ride one. I found I had to hold on pretty tight!!

Storm's River

This is one of my favourite places on earth.  The wild coast with waves battering the rocks.  The wonderful suspension bridge across the beautiful Storm's River.  The pristine Tsitsikama forest. It's a beautiful and wild place.  Not only that, but it's also wrapped up in sublime memories.  Memories of coming here with Julian as a student and camping right on the sea.  Memories of coming here for a romantic holiday with Ally. Memories of starting The Otter Trail here.  If I ever grow tired of life and need to replenish my spirit, this is the place I'd come to.