Arniston to Franschoek

Todays route: Arniston to Franschoek  197 miles

The sunrise in Arneston was brilliant orange between the early clouds. The howling seaside wind dies soon after sunrise and it was another brilliant blue sky day.

We left Arniston soon after breakfast, with Gerald Davies driving the first 25 km for me - he had come down from Botswana to visit! After he left, we carried on our route through huge farms of wheat and cattle - the heat building as the morning aged.

Our tea stop was in the seaside town of Hermanus at a private home. On arrival, it seemed the entire town was there to meet us, applauding as we entered and followed by a speech by the mayor. The home, contemporary in design, was built onto the rocks overlooking the huge expanse of beach. Every window framed a stunning view. The tea and snacks were wonderful, but the day was stolen by the multiple pods of whales visible fron the deck - mother's and calves.

After tea we headed for Franschoek. Soon enough the multiplicity of vineyards appeared as we were entering the very heart of the Cape wine industry. Field after field of vine.

The final climb up the Franschoek Pass was lovely, and the view as we crested stunning.

After descending the very twisty and steep downhill, we checked into the magnificent hotel - we have our own villa - and then promptly went into the vlllage for a kingclip lunch and some shopping.

Franschoek is a very pretty town - green leaves and white Cape architecture everywhere.

A relaxed afternoon and nice dinner tonight.

Oudtshoorn to Arniston

Today's route: Oudtshoorn to Arniston 204 miles


Today was a magnificent day - fantastic weather and a route that could only be dreamed for.

We left Oudtshoorn soon after breakfast, the crisp morning air buffeting around us in the opne car. The Klein Karoo's emptyness soom gave way to a mountain pass that was not very high, but also wound it's way through rock formations and over a river. The tea stop was at a very nice B&B and they certainly outdid themselves in all the baked goods - served in their back verandah garden under the purple canopy of a blossoming Jacaranda tree.

From tea we pressed on south, and soon enough the Karoo was replaced with endless farmlands of the southern Cape - gentle rolling hills surrounded by wheatfields.

Arniston is a fishing village at the tip of Africa - stark while houses in the Cape style that overlook the absolutely turqiose water of the Indian Ocean against stark white beaches. We pulled into the Arniston Hotel and parked on their front lawn - the ocean providing a magnificent backdrop to Bill Kennedy's panoramic picture.

After lunch (calamari, fish and carrot cake!), by now almost 4 pm, we jumped back into the car and set off for another 50 km (100 km round trip) to Cape Agulus - the southern most tip of the huge African continant, Arriving there, we found a stunning coastline and soon made our way to the very tip of Africa - where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean's meet in a swirl of turbulent vortices. A terrific feeling standing there - with the car to one side - definately one of those life moments.

Arrving back at the hotel just in time for dinner we managed to see the last of the sunset.

This was one of the best days on the tour. Perhaps they all are.

Oudtshoorn

Today's route: Rest day Oudshoorn


Today was a rest day, although there was a suggested drive to Prince Albert fro lunch followed by a climb over the Swartberg Pass.

As I had a lot of car work to do - relap some valves - I started early but pretty soon it became obvious to me that I would miss the drive, I chose to do the car work as it is more important to get it right now rather than risk a problem later.

So, Bill and I spent most of the day doing valve work in the hot sun. But, when we were finished, we did takr a drive up the Swartberg Pass to see the magnificent scenery - husge vistas of farmland abbutting the concoluted cliff faces of the Outeniqwa mountains. Quite magnificent.

Dinner was at the hotel - not bad - with a birthday song for Joan.

Short day - back on the road tomorrow.

Knysna to Outdshoorn

Today's route: Knysna to Outshoorn 74 miles


After an early breakfast we left Knysna along the N2 headed towards George. Although we had no schedules or suggested stop there, we did want to visit the transport museum. So, the coastal road to George is splendid, particularly as it passes through Wilderness -a long expanse of stunning beach.

The museum in George is very good - lots of steam engines and old railway carriages - the ones I remember taking from Johannesburg to cape Town!

Leaving George we headed inland, climbing the long and steep pass to cross the Outeniqwa mountains - a fantastic view from the top over the town and the ocean. The mountain range itself is impressive - I cannot imagine an ox wagon crossing, but know it waa done.

Once we crested the mountain, the scenery changed dramtically as the Klein Karoo stretched below us. Huge opne areas of scrub, with valleys green with farming.


Before long, we had evidence that Outdshorn was close - the ostrich farms with which this town is synonemous. After checking into the hotel, we had a lovely braai lunch then left to explore the Safari Ostrich Farm - I was last there about 30 years ago! These are strange birds, but it was a lot of fun!

Dinner tonight was a buffet at the hotel - very nice.

Knysna

Today's route: Rest day Knysna


Today was an extremely lazy day. Somewhat overcast but not cold at all.

First up at 11 am was a meeting with local classic car enthusiasts at the Knysna Yacht Club. They brought their cars - most MG's, and we looked at theirs and they looked at ours. It was good fun. Following this we walked around the stores at the waterfront and had a nice, light seafood lunch.

Most people went shopping or relaxed / napped at Belvedere Manor until 5.30 pm, when we boarded minibuses to take us back to the harbor for a sunset dinner cruise. Nice "paddle" boat and a good dinner. Qute relaxing and back at the hotel by 8.45 pm.

Tomorrow, back on the road.