Familiarity breeds contempt is a very strange proverb because if it was true, then we would be incredibly contemptuous of everything we love in this part of the world including Jack's Cafe in Betty's Bay which received an annual visit from us today. More of that in a minute though because the first thing I need to do is update on the fire situation in Somerset West.
Yesterday, Monday, it appeared that the worst of it was over despite the fact that a small fire was still clearly visible towards the very top of one of the Hottentots Holland mountains.. The strong winds that had fanned the initial outbreak were still very evident for most of yesterday and in fact were preventing the helicopters from flying. Unfortunately, over Monday night, things must have taken a turn for the worse because when I pulled back the blinds this morning, I was once more met by a vision of Armageddon! Black, hanging skies with a blood red fireball trying to penetrate the gloom. It was a spectacular sight but not one that I expected to see again this holiday! Hopefully, the photos below might provide a graphic illustration of just what it was like. The fires are a big story on national tv here as millions of Rands of damage continue to be wreaked on the region.
The fires haven't stopped us getting out and about however and today was a prime example as we ventured along one of the most incredibly scenic drives in the whole world. This isn't my opinion, although I can only agree, but if you Google "most scenic drives in the world", the stretch of road between Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay is always featured. It is quite simply, breathtaking and today wasn't spoilt by the fire smoke because it was heading in the opposite direction.
Betty's Bay provides the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow because there sits Jack's Cafe, a place we discovered long ago where a lovely warm reception from the owner, Laura, is always guaranteed and this welcome is supported by a great location, lovely coffee and what can only be described as some of the best fruit cake in the world. It's a bold statement but the combination is a heady one and is the reason that Cafe Jack's is a place that we visit regularly while in the Western Cape.
As well as dramatic scenery, Betty's Bay is also a great place to see penguins...hundreds of them! The more popular and certainly the most famous location for penguin spotting down here is Boulders Beach just outside Simon's Town but if anybody is sufficiently naive to think of taking my advice, then head for Betty's Bay instead. It's quieter, it's cheaper and it's just an all round better experience and after you have viewed them, call at Cafe Jack's, order the coffee and fruit cake and tell Laura that
Alistair sent you!
By the time we returned to Somerset West this afternoon, the skies had improved dramatically and in fact, the day has been the warmest we have experienced since our arrival. As I write this brief update, all the windows are open, a fan is trying to move cooler air around the lounge and the air conditioning units have been switched on in the bedrooms in order that we might get to sleep. We aren't complaining though.
The only other thing to report which some of you might be impressed by is that I have joined the local Virgin Activ gym for a month and have been dragged screaming both yesterday and today at 7am in the morning to work out. Who has dragged me? Daughter Sarah. The funny thing is that I have really enjoyed the couple of hours exercise, working up an appetite for breakfast and getting those dormant endorphins coursing through this tired old body. I even discovered this morning that I can still run! Kill or cure? I'm hoping for the latter and that it might help me to return home in March carrying considerably less fat than I brought home last year!
Enough for now other than tomorrow night, I will reveal details of the "teaser" that I referred to in my opening post. Whatever you do, please don't desert me now!
Dramatic Scene This Morning
The Sun Trying To Pierce The Clouds
Betty's Bay
Waiting For Coffee & Cake At Jack's
Gym Bunnies
Yesterday, Monday, it appeared that the worst of it was over despite the fact that a small fire was still clearly visible towards the very top of one of the Hottentots Holland mountains.. The strong winds that had fanned the initial outbreak were still very evident for most of yesterday and in fact were preventing the helicopters from flying. Unfortunately, over Monday night, things must have taken a turn for the worse because when I pulled back the blinds this morning, I was once more met by a vision of Armageddon! Black, hanging skies with a blood red fireball trying to penetrate the gloom. It was a spectacular sight but not one that I expected to see again this holiday! Hopefully, the photos below might provide a graphic illustration of just what it was like. The fires are a big story on national tv here as millions of Rands of damage continue to be wreaked on the region.
The fires haven't stopped us getting out and about however and today was a prime example as we ventured along one of the most incredibly scenic drives in the whole world. This isn't my opinion, although I can only agree, but if you Google "most scenic drives in the world", the stretch of road between Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay is always featured. It is quite simply, breathtaking and today wasn't spoilt by the fire smoke because it was heading in the opposite direction.
Betty's Bay provides the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow because there sits Jack's Cafe, a place we discovered long ago where a lovely warm reception from the owner, Laura, is always guaranteed and this welcome is supported by a great location, lovely coffee and what can only be described as some of the best fruit cake in the world. It's a bold statement but the combination is a heady one and is the reason that Cafe Jack's is a place that we visit regularly while in the Western Cape.
As well as dramatic scenery, Betty's Bay is also a great place to see penguins...hundreds of them! The more popular and certainly the most famous location for penguin spotting down here is Boulders Beach just outside Simon's Town but if anybody is sufficiently naive to think of taking my advice, then head for Betty's Bay instead. It's quieter, it's cheaper and it's just an all round better experience and after you have viewed them, call at Cafe Jack's, order the coffee and fruit cake and tell Laura that
By the time we returned to Somerset West this afternoon, the skies had improved dramatically and in fact, the day has been the warmest we have experienced since our arrival. As I write this brief update, all the windows are open, a fan is trying to move cooler air around the lounge and the air conditioning units have been switched on in the bedrooms in order that we might get to sleep. We aren't complaining though.
The only other thing to report which some of you might be impressed by is that I have joined the local Virgin Activ gym for a month and have been dragged screaming both yesterday and today at 7am in the morning to work out. Who has dragged me? Daughter Sarah. The funny thing is that I have really enjoyed the couple of hours exercise, working up an appetite for breakfast and getting those dormant endorphins coursing through this tired old body. I even discovered this morning that I can still run! Kill or cure? I'm hoping for the latter and that it might help me to return home in March carrying considerably less fat than I brought home last year!
Enough for now other than tomorrow night, I will reveal details of the "teaser" that I referred to in my opening post. Whatever you do, please don't desert me now!
It's Arrived!
Spot The Penguin!
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