A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY
No it wasn't one of those BIG number birthdays, but an ordinary one that one has to proceed through on your way to the 'crown' ones. Anyway, a few days before I thought about it and decided that if I didn't take charge, I would be having a mundane day. So, with my birthday being on a Friday I decided to take a trip up Table Mountain - which is free to South Africans on their birthdays.
The day turned out to be one of the most perfect autumn days, sunshine, warm with a slight chill int he air on top of the mountain. Now given my previous history with heights, many thought I was off my trolley and heading towards senility. But as it was the new aerial cable way cars are so smooth, so gentle that one doesn't even realise that you are suspended by a little bit of cable a couple of hundred metres int he air. We, that is John, David, Heron and I sailed up with the greatest of ease and I enjoyed the ride. Took a couple of photos, walked a bit, met a few resident hyraxes (dassies) and then settled for lunch.
Of course, being a Friday there was also the special pensioners lunch. What great value, a choice of either ostrich pie, chicken pie or vegetarian quiche with salad and chips as well as a slice of milk tart for pud and either coffee or tea, and all for a measly R47-50! What a tummy full it proved to be, so that meant another meander around the mountain where we met a beautiful black lizard sunning himself on the pathway.
Then down once again to the ground. And the staff on the mountain were incredible. Friendly, informed and smiling. My birthday ticket indicated "Happy Birthday" on it, so every time I presented it they staff member said Happy Birthday and at the end, asked if I had enjoyed my day! What a question, I had a ball. Highly recommend the experience. But then we were too tired to take the excursion to Kirstenbosch, so went off home for a little rest and relaxation before a long walk on Fish Hoek beach, followed by a delightful supper with friends. (Not that we actually needed to eat anymore).
Next morning the mist had settled in but John David and I were still going to tackle Kirstenbosch, in particular the "Boomslang" which for the uninitiated is the canopy level walkway over the gardens which snakes its way through the trees. That too took courage, up in the air with nothing solid between me and the abyss. Well, despite the slight swaying movement when lots of peoplemoving, I was thrilled, as it gave a new perspective of the gardens.
Then off to Rhodes Memorial's restaurant for lunch - utterly delicious where an exuberant pup kept us in stitches. Owners had walked the Vishnu (Vishla?) - something like that - for over two hours before bringing it out. This is a restaurant which caters for dogs, lots of doggie bowls around with water, and biscuits available as treats. Lunch over we went to look at the memorial again, but sadly this too has suffered the onslaughts of the people who want any colonial history removed but we won't go there.
Then retail therapy of me at Blue Route Mall where the two men sat watching kids stuff newly created bears. So we all had fun.
Sunday mornignw e all trouped off to Church where Ron Cawood once again officiated in his Stormers Rugby jersey! _ Only for effect in the beginning. It was a lovely homely family service. Lunch was taken at home and once again we had far too much. \After a bit of a chat and a rest John and I visited Cousin Theresa, and then we had a wonderful walk in the Wetlands near Fish
Hoek with Heron.
In between we fitted in a couple of visits to David's new home at Silver Mine Village and the two men endeavoured to set up computers and televisions whilst I sat and admired the scenery.
MOnday it was an early good bye to Heron, then a dash to coffee with Lanie in Somerset West, another shopping trip to Somerset Mall, followed by a delightful lunch with Julie and Piet, visiting Nicky and Des, and locals Vic and Karen, as well as Guven and his son. Too much fun, too much food once again but a great time there.
And now its back at home! What am I going to do without all this fun? Oh well, I suppose it's going to be bridge today, and Red Hats at Caledon Spa tomorrow. It's so awful being retired. Too much to do. Photos below.
The day turned out to be one of the most perfect autumn days, sunshine, warm with a slight chill int he air on top of the mountain. Now given my previous history with heights, many thought I was off my trolley and heading towards senility. But as it was the new aerial cable way cars are so smooth, so gentle that one doesn't even realise that you are suspended by a little bit of cable a couple of hundred metres int he air. We, that is John, David, Heron and I sailed up with the greatest of ease and I enjoyed the ride. Took a couple of photos, walked a bit, met a few resident hyraxes (dassies) and then settled for lunch.
Of course, being a Friday there was also the special pensioners lunch. What great value, a choice of either ostrich pie, chicken pie or vegetarian quiche with salad and chips as well as a slice of milk tart for pud and either coffee or tea, and all for a measly R47-50! What a tummy full it proved to be, so that meant another meander around the mountain where we met a beautiful black lizard sunning himself on the pathway.
Then down once again to the ground. And the staff on the mountain were incredible. Friendly, informed and smiling. My birthday ticket indicated "Happy Birthday" on it, so every time I presented it they staff member said Happy Birthday and at the end, asked if I had enjoyed my day! What a question, I had a ball. Highly recommend the experience. But then we were too tired to take the excursion to Kirstenbosch, so went off home for a little rest and relaxation before a long walk on Fish Hoek beach, followed by a delightful supper with friends. (Not that we actually needed to eat anymore).
Next morning the mist had settled in but John David and I were still going to tackle Kirstenbosch, in particular the "Boomslang" which for the uninitiated is the canopy level walkway over the gardens which snakes its way through the trees. That too took courage, up in the air with nothing solid between me and the abyss. Well, despite the slight swaying movement when lots of peoplemoving, I was thrilled, as it gave a new perspective of the gardens.
Then off to Rhodes Memorial's restaurant for lunch - utterly delicious where an exuberant pup kept us in stitches. Owners had walked the Vishnu (Vishla?) - something like that - for over two hours before bringing it out. This is a restaurant which caters for dogs, lots of doggie bowls around with water, and biscuits available as treats. Lunch over we went to look at the memorial again, but sadly this too has suffered the onslaughts of the people who want any colonial history removed but we won't go there.
Then retail therapy of me at Blue Route Mall where the two men sat watching kids stuff newly created bears. So we all had fun.
Sunday mornignw e all trouped off to Church where Ron Cawood once again officiated in his Stormers Rugby jersey! _ Only for effect in the beginning. It was a lovely homely family service. Lunch was taken at home and once again we had far too much. \After a bit of a chat and a rest John and I visited Cousin Theresa, and then we had a wonderful walk in the Wetlands near Fish
Hoek with Heron.
In between we fitted in a couple of visits to David's new home at Silver Mine Village and the two men endeavoured to set up computers and televisions whilst I sat and admired the scenery.
MOnday it was an early good bye to Heron, then a dash to coffee with Lanie in Somerset West, another shopping trip to Somerset Mall, followed by a delightful lunch with Julie and Piet, visiting Nicky and Des, and locals Vic and Karen, as well as Guven and his son. Too much fun, too much food once again but a great time there.
And now its back at home! What am I going to do without all this fun? Oh well, I suppose it's going to be bridge today, and Red Hats at Caledon Spa tomorrow. It's so awful being retired. Too much to do. Photos below.