Hiking the point (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt6)

So despite the fact that this is now about a month late, here is the final installment of my SA holiday.

Having arrived back in CT with my dad on the train, Em, Al and I gathered some things for our hike the next day and then got an early night. The next morning we got up, packed our things and headed off in Als car to pick dad up, and then travel on to the Cape Point nature reserve, with a mandatory stop at Olympia for baked goods.

We got there, parked the car, donned our packs and set off. We walked along the East coast of the point with amazing views of the sheer drop to the rocks and breakers below, and the rest of the peninsula. We passed the old cannon and dropped down to the sea, and walked past all the Sunday picnikers and braaiers. We joined them for lunch though, after a swim in the refreshing water. Once we had lunched on cheese rolls and mussel oil we searched for the small traffic circle, and once we found it began the climb to the overnight huts. Towards the top of the hill we saw a pair of ostrich with a whole bunch of baby ostriches running around. We carried on to the hut where we relaxed and had sundowners while counting windsurfers and kite surfers (which became the entertainment of the evening). We had braai for supper and a couple of beers, and made up fantastic stories about windsurfers not making it out of the park before the gate was shut.

The next morning we had hot water (mmmh) and muesli before setting off with considerably lighter packs. The walk started off along the beach which involved some sand, but mainly rocks. We were treated to a Bles(bonte?)bok peering at us through the mist. As we carried on we saw other wildlife (a very small tortoise included). We had lunch next to a very black lagoon and were visited by a large group of Baboons. After lunch we headed off with some of the party taking the short way round, and some finishing off the final hill for all.

The rest of my time in Cape Town was filled with friends, braais at Oudekraal, amazing productions of the Tempest, fantastic days in Napier with mum, swimming in rock pools and spending time with my sisters.

I'm now very much back in Amsterdam (it really is very cold), and working away again. It was an amazing 6 weeks and I can't wait to get back there soonest!

Thanks to everybody who made it such a good time!