Day 9 - Table Mountain

A bit of a later start but we eventually get on the road and head for Table Mountain. We arrive at the cable car station park up and check the information board to be told visibility is zero and it’s very cold. Just below the cloud level we stop and take plenty of photos as the view is as spectacular as we have been led to believe.


Back on the road again and we head north into the Winelands, experiencing once again the spectacular scenery. The Stellenbosch region is considered to be one of the finest wine regions in the world and there are too many vineyards to visit, however the Duck Pond looks really nice from the car so I pull in. Several glasses of red wine and our attempt at discussing the merits of each one puts us in a good mood and helps soften the mood, once again reflecting that the holiday is always good but spoilt by 90 minutes of football. A really nice meal of duck and lamb is well received.

The next vineyard we stop at is really good and just our luck we miss the Brazilian star Cafu by just a few minutes. We order 6 different wines and get a history and description of each, what a way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Ade and Dave B are happy to note that one of the signature wines is called the Owl Post, and Dave wangles an empty bottle out of the staff, the tight fisted so and so!

The drive back again brings us down the False Bay coast and out to see we have some fantastic views but the one inland is of one of the largest townships you have ever seen, Marshals Plain which houses 1.5 million people. It’s awful! I want to stop and take photos but the atmosphere is not that good and everybody urges me to drive on, I don’t object for too long.

Back in the car we head back to the accommodation to prepare for the next day. We lose two of our number, Rich and Adam who have to get back for a family wedding in Southampton, and the rest of us are heading out along the Garden Route and head for Storms River for a two night stay, more to follow.