Cape Town: Trip 3

   3. ARNISTON & MONTAGU   

Hmmm Cheapie !

We had planned (and saved) our final month in Cape Town for a drive east to the Garden Route. Unfortunately due to both of us getting sick for almost a week, the lost time meant we revised our ambitions to a shorter journey in the time remaining. An additional factor was our slightly dodgy Renta Cheapie hire car, that was a bit too 'on the cheap' and didn't instill confidence in making a long 800 kilometer round trip. 

Setting off along the coast road (False Bay to Gordon's Bay and Pringle Bay) that we had done with Gill & Steve was just as enjoyable and spectacular. Lunch at Pringle before staying with Ally & Kurt in Onrus for a few nights, where a pub quiz led to Dom Pedros (ice cream whisky desert) and a chance to catch up on life in good company.

Travelling east on towards Arniston to spend some lovely days in an old fisherman's cottage, actually in Kassiesbaai, the authentic and working part of the town. Meeting the locals and being shown around by Sushi and Kaela (two dogs) every time we ventured out, plus the lapa (outhouse) of the cottage had views of the Indian Ocean just meters away (picture above), making a great end to any day. 

At the end of Africa

A drive to Cape Agullus (Southernmost point of mainland Africa) was a day out that included the lighthouse and shipwreck museums when it rained in the afternoon. 

Waving the empty sandy beaches goodbye, we headed inland to the mountains of the Boland. Margaret had been telling me about Montagu, Robertson and McGregor for years and we found another nice place to stay in Montagu with a great view, a pool, sundeck and a five minute walk into this historic and peaceful town on the Western Cape's scenic Route 62.

Surrounded by lots of nice walks we met people over drinks and at the weekend morning market and ate some memorable food, though finding the famous 'bird tree' proved a memory can fade and a town can change over the years if you leave it too long. 

Driving to one of the many attractive wineries was not to be missed, and we walked around most of McGregor later that same day. Overnight in Robertson before taking the scenic route home, driving via Ceres and narrow passes and one mountain range after another.

Van Loveren wine tasting - and why not - cheers !