It’s Easter time, and so time was spent at church, reflecting on the story and the resurrection of Christ. It is often when you go to other places / churches that make you reflect on what you think or believe. Also you may hear stories again, often read or known, that sound different or something new comes to mind that you hadn’t thought about before. Going to a 3 hour church service can sound daunting...but here traditionally on Good Friday between 12 and 3 those hours when there was darkness, on the day of crucifixion. It was interesting to go, and the 3 hours went quickly, it was time to reflect on the meaning of the cross.... Justice, Reconciliation, Sacrifice, Suffering and Freedom...these were the themes that we looked at. Actually these are many of the subjects that are wanted by the world. And people say there is no relevance in the Christian Faith or the bible in this modern age. I think there is, and in some respects more now than years ago. We are a world crying out for guidance, an ease to suffering, justice for those held in captivity, freedom for those who are held unjustly, or in situations that are binding (marriages or relationships that are destroying, alcoholism, drug takers.....), or even reconciliation where friends, families, communities, countries are at war. Where do we look? Who gives us guidance? I find it in God and the bible, may be not all the answers or ways are easy, sometimes there is still suffering, but there is a hope, love unconditional. Sometimes we need to go through those tough situations to make us stronger...
Anyway back to my journey. Thursday was another glorious day, blue skies with a few scattered clouds, but with a bit of a breeze. I can cope with Autumn weather like this. Gill and I met up with a friend called Lisa for lunch at Muzienburg. It is good to go to a restaurant called Knead, as the bread and cakes (and pizzas and pies) are all fresh! Even the hot cross buns. It was great chatting and sharing stories, but Lisa only had a short time to meet up. It was high tide on the beach, and the waves were crashing in (but not too much) so the surfers and surf school were all out.
Rather than walk along the beach we headed down the coastal path to St James. The fishermen were out trying to catch their supper, and the customs people were out, to make sure that they didn’t take what they shouldn’t. Walking along the path, reminded me of walks along the promenade in Whitehead Northern Ireland, with the sea crashing over the rocks and hitting the sea wall, and over the wall! There were some places along the walk where the waves had crashed over the wall, so we were dodging them to try and not get wet. It was a great walk, and i attempted to get the power and beauty of the crashing waves on camera, and am pleased with the results. I’ve tried to get some “arty” shots and not just views of places, animals, activities. It’s amazing sometimes when you take the time what you get, but sometimes just being ready gives some great shots. We didn’t get wet, but the police who were also walking were having much fun and hilarity as some of the group were not so lucky. St James is a small place with a quiet beach, with a pool topped up by the sea, and multicoloured beach huts. With the tide so high, there was not much beach, and the pool was not too distinct from the sea, but the kids playing were loving it. What more can you ask for during school holidays, sunshine and the beach!
In the evening we attended the Maundy Thursday service, which ended with the altar being stripped off all it’s cloths, candles, bibles...everything and laid bare, and all the equipment switched off, lights off and the candles blown out. Leaving church in the dark was a reminder of the disciples deserting Jesus when the soldiers took him away.
This whole thing of “chasing the summers” i’m doing on my travels, because even though there may be a few clouds in the morning, it clears away for blue skies and warm days (in the 20’s). Good Friday started with meeting friends and then off to church for the 3 hour service. Then back to sit out in the garden to catch some of the rays. It was hot. Then in the evening we had been invited to a Passion Play over at a Christian Centre in another part of Cape Town. With no preconceptions of what would be happening it was great. The music was modern, involving various churches in the community, partaking – dancing, acting. It was bright, vibrant, and alive. It was great. The place was almost packed, this was the first night, and it was great to see several respond to the altar call.
I don’t want to keep going on about the glorious weather, but another great day on Saturday, which was cloudy to start and was needed. Today was the annual Two Oceans Marathon, which is 56km (an ultimate marathon) and is run on the road over the mountains and along the coast. It was started in 1970, so this was it’s 40th anniversary. It starts in Newlands, heads down the coast to Muzienburg (Indian Ocean), to Fish hoek, over Chapmans Peak Drive (Atlantic Ocean), up the coast to Hout Bay and back over the mountain pass to Constantia and down past Kirschenbosch and to the University of Cape Town. The runners needed it to be cooler. The time for the fastest men was 3 hours 10 mins (about), and for the women (jointly by Russian twins) was around 3hrs 50 mins. Some of the runners are saving themselves for the Comrades Race 87km (56 miles) from Pietermariztburg to Durban. The route alternates each year between the “Down Run” and the “Up Run”. Pietermarizburg is up in the hills, and there are 5 big hills, before coming down to Durban. Next year it will be the other way! This was started by a British man, who had come to South Africa and fought in World War 1, the race started in 1921 in memory of the Comrades lost and injured in WW1.
Having watched some of the race, Gill and i headed into Cape Town, with a slower journey than normal, as part of the road in, was also part of the last kilometre and a bit of the Marathon, before it turned into University of Cape Town for the last 500 metres. The uphill, meant that many of those partaking were walking up, but when it flattened out they ran again. My hat off to these people, i don’t have the physical ability to do it.
Gill and i went into Cape Town, past the castle, on the road that would have been in the sea when the castle was built, and on to the Company’s Gardens (after the Dutch East India Company who first settled in Cape Town in 17th Century, they grew vegetables here originally to sell to the passing ships). We parked near the Planetarium and Museum, walking through the gardens, and Government Avenue. The view of Table Mountain is great from here, especially with no clouds, and is a great backdrop for the fantastic architecture of the buildings in this area. We saw De Tuynhuys (Afrikaans for “the garden house”), which is the Cape Town office of the president (so Zumo will be moving in here later this month), the Houses of Parliament (1885), the South African Public Library(1818) and St George’s Cathedral (Archbishop Desmond Tutu used to preach against apartheid here). All of them are within a very short distant and great example’s of the Architecture of old. There is also the Slave Lodge in front of the entrance to the Houses of Parliament, which was built in 1679 and provided basic lodging for the slaves from Indonesia and India-Ceylon. We walked down Adderley the original main street, before turning off to skirt around Greenmarket Square (many stalls selling African curios, clothes and jewellery in this the oldest square in the city), before heading back through the gardens.
We then headed off to the V&A Waterfront (Victoria and Alfred – the harbour basins where named after the queen and her son when they were built). There is much to see in this area, as well as a big shopping mall. The harbour showcases ritzy yachts, alongside the working harbour (fishing vessels, tug boats for the huge tanker ships and dry docks repairing ships) and further round is the docks for the huge tanker ships that are often see in the Bay. There are original Victorian buildings and Modern luxury apartments, with a recent opening of a luxury hotel. Some of the old warehouses have been converted into shops, restaurants and hotels. This again has Table Mountain as it’s backdrop.
There are many things to see as you wander, and if you have time there is the Two Oceans Aquarium (unfortunately we didn’t have time), but we saw the seals sunbathing on one of the several platforms around the harbour for them. Although not a football fan i couldn’t miss the UEFA Champions League Trophy that was on Tour here today in the outdoor amphitheatre – i didn’t pay to have my photo with the cup (unlike hundred’s of people), that’s why there were many Man Utd and Liverpool shirts being worn, but i did take a picture to show those friends who are football mad.
I decided that i wouldn’t visit Robbyn Island this visit, but when i come back to South Africa, i would probably do it then. We had limited time as we were going out for dinner, and there was no point in doing lots of shopping as i was already struggling for space (and weight) in my suitcase!
Some friends of Gill’s had invited us out to dinner, so again i enjoyed a great meal at Groot Constantia, with some of their on Sauvignon Blanc. I had the snoerk pate for starters, followed by a huge portion of Lamb Shank, but i did manage to find space to fit in 3 flavour sorbet (definitely no room for anything else). It was a great evening, and the view of the lights across the bay from the restaurant was amazing.
Easter Sunday, was a glorious day. Obviously we went to church, which was uplifting. After lunch, as we only had a couple of years, we headed down to Boulders to go and visit the Penguins. They were previously known as the Jackass Penguins, but now known as the African Penguins. There were some penguins in the nesting boxes, but many couples had opted for the protection of the shrubs, or down on the beach. Penguins mate for life, and are affectionate, braying to each other and mutual preening. We were fortunate to see some youngsters, the first ones we saw were older, but then we were fortunate to see a couple that were between 30-60 days old, and a couple that were probably less than 30 days. Chicks that are less than 30 days are covered in fluffy down that is not waterproof, and between 30-60 days this changes to be waterproof, and to a grey/blue colour, and the “white front” is more off white. From 60 days to 1-2 years the youngster has this blue colour to their coat and is known as “baby blues”, and then their coat will change to the black and white of their parents. They are fun to watch waddling up the beach, but they were more into enjoying lying in the sun today. A few did display their ease of movement in the water, and looked a bit more like a duck when they were floating.
Dinner was out again, but this time we joined friends for a family braai. Great food and great company, but early start of 5pm.
I’m sure that i’m putting on weight with all this good food.
Monday – and it’s cricket again the 4th ODI (one day international) out of 5 South Africa v Australia. SA are in the lead before this game 2 to 1. Also time to start looking at the stuff to pack and to hope that it all goes in. They won and therefore SA win the ODI series, so the last game is immaterial...for reference actually Australia won the final game!
Apart from packing it was good to go for a walk, get some fresh air and catch some rays. Previously Gilly and I have walked along the beach at Muzienburg and the Indian Ocean, so for a change we went to walk along the Atlantic Ocean. Over to where the beach is 8km long!! The beach was harder to walk along, much softer sand that you just sank in and walking on the slope by the water, was also stretching the calf muscles... The waves in the Atlantic seemed to be bigger, and the water was definitely colder!!! But it was great exercise. For a final farewell meal we went to Cape Town Fish Market Restaurant (by the way this is not in the centre of Cape Town) and the fish dishes were amazing, i obviously had a fish dish that i would not normally have and it was great.
Tuesday was the final day and booking in time was 4pm, and very definitely the suitcase needed to be packed, it weighed 23kgs (the same weight as i left Uganda with!! But also all previously flights had a limit of 30kgs) and the limit was only 20kgs (but no extra charge was paid). Everything was in, although i had the heavy stuff (books ) in my hand luggage!!!
As a final catch of the sun, Gilly and i went for a walk on Muzienburg beach (and paddle in the Indian) before a quick snack for lunch and then off to the airport.
The journeys hope were ok, but not good travelling through the night and changing time zones...Cape Town to Dubai, moved forward 2 hours landing local time at 5am, and then Dubai to Manchester leaving 7.30am local time and landing at 12.45pm local to UK and back 3 hours in time. Not much sleep, but watched Benjamin Button and Australia. When i did go to bed at 8pm (before my nephew) i know who was the first to sleep!!!!
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