Deeper South

days in South Africa




For our evening meal we turned up at the Fat Cactus Cafe for an excellent Mexican meal - I had a lip-tingling chilli con carne with Tacos : )

For our evening meal we turned up at the Fat Cactus Cafe for an excellent Mexican meal - I had a lip-tingling chilli con carne with Tacos : )

This photo is SO much more that it seems: Early evening we went to a get-together for parents and primary-aged children. But these are both children from relatively wealthy families (this took place in the garden of a big detached house) AND those from the poorest black & coloured backgrounds: It’s not social engineering, but inclusion - the church is actively trying to build a new South Africa. Bouncy castles, food & a story/lesson proved a great hit and was fun to meet more people from the church, incl. Steve & Anna van Rynn, Tim’s sister & brother in law - plus Anna was one of our bridesmaids nearly 27 years ago : )

This photo is SO much more that it seems: Early evening we went to a get-together for parents and primary-aged children.

But these are both children from relatively wealthy families (this took place in the garden of a big detached house) AND those from the poorest black & coloured backgrounds: It’s not social engineering, but inclusion - the church is actively trying to build a new South Africa.

Bouncy castles, food & a story/lesson proved a great hit and was fun to meet more people from the church, incl. Steve & Anna van Rynn, Tim’s sister & brother in law - plus Anna was one of our bridesmaids nearly 27 years ago : )

South African giant tortoises are obviously prone to sneaky wandering.

South African giant tortoises are obviously prone to sneaky wandering.

Scotland has the thistle, England the rose, but South Africa - appropriately for this multi-coloured nation - has the Bird of Paradise plant.

Scotland has the thistle, England the rose, but South Africa - appropriately for this multi-coloured nation - has the Bird of Paradise plant.

There are two giant tortoises which live here and continually feast on the lush, well-watered grass. Seen from the side, this one looked like ET. The tortoise did as well ; )

There are two giant tortoises which live here and continually feast on the lush, well-watered grass. Seen from the side, this one looked like ET. The tortoise did as well ; )

Carefully-manicured gardens sweep down from the house to a canalled brook in a little shady valley.

Carefully-manicured gardens sweep down from the house to a canalled brook in a little shady valley.

Like everywhere in Cape Town, ‘The Mountain’ towers over you, but it never seems to be a brooding presence.

Like everywhere in Cape Town, ‘The Mountain’ towers over you, but it never seems to be a brooding presence.

This was very classy establishment, having been a colonial mansion dating from the pre-Napoleonic era. We had scones & tea/coffee - what else - but at very reasonable English tea room prices.

This was very classy establishment, having been a colonial mansion dating from the pre-Napoleonic era. We had scones & tea/coffee - what else - but at very reasonable English tea room prices.

Friday: Tim had to work today so Es took us along the road to Newlands and the beautiful Vineyards Hotel.

Friday: Tim had to work today so Es took us along the road to Newlands and the beautiful Vineyards Hotel.

We’d hoped to catch the sunset at 6.30pm, but sirens sounded at 6.15 warning us that strong winds were due in 10 mins so we made our way quickly to the cable cars while they were still running - it’s a very long walk down!

We’d hoped to catch the sunset at 6.30pm, but sirens sounded at 6.15 warning us that strong winds were due in 10 mins so we made our way quickly to the cable cars while they were still running - it’s a very long walk down!