It sure is different down here at the other end of the world. The light is always the first thing I notice, so bright, its as if someone turned on a spotlight overhead. And the blast of heat as you step out of the plane straight into summer, still dressed in winter woollies. Instant meltdown!
Poor holiday travellers with all the flight cancellations because of airports closing – what a winter you’re having in the north!
Our first week here we spent in the Annexe Cottage at Kildare Guest House, a delightful haven in the best suburb in Cape Town, tucked away and secluded from the urban mayhem and shopping build up to the festive season, yet close enough to stroll to all conveniences, banks, post office, markets, and, most important, our favourite restaurant, The Wijnhuis where we are always greeted like long lost friends.
Yesterday we moved into the same house we rented last year and it felt like we were coming home – it was all so familiar – we knew where everything went, which cupboard was mine, which Tim’s, where the kitchen knives were, the cutlery, crockery and most important, the wine glasses. Which goes to prove that familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt!
Thursday was a public holiday here and we decided on a hike at Kalk Bay. We saw only two other people on the mountain in two hours. We took the steep uphill trail from the Ou Kraal signpost, up to brilliant views of False Bay on a path of white stepping stones and sand that meanders through the most magnificent fynbos, alive with birds, flowers and bees. Made my heart sing.
We took another hike on Sunday morning in Newlands Forest, closer to home, retracing familiar peopled footpaths. We call the forestry road down at the start of the forest "Dogs**t Boulevard" – seems some dog owners have no conscience. But as soon as we were in the higher reaches, traversing the indigenous forest and stepping across sparkling streams, we felt surprisingly refreshed.
It might not sound as though we work at all, but Tim was in the office four days last week, and I have been setting up meetings in Cape Town and Johannesburg for the Sites of Memory class that Tim will be offering. More when all that happens, next month.
Nathaniel swimming on the noodle with Ayanda, left.
Nan, Daniel and Tim chatting, below, on the stoep of our home the day we moved in.
We're off to Johannesburg for Christmas with sister, Gillian McCabe and her large family. Looking forward to it.
