It finished better than it started

Both Nanci and I had a great sleep last night and even felt human when we got up this morning. We did, however, get a slow start because it was cool, rainy and overcast and so we weren't motivated. After a nice breakfast at the Cape Milner Hotel, our comfortable home away from home this week, we decided to head for the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where we knew we could at least see some shops in the shopping mall. It's a relatively new development along the busy Cape Town harbour. Old marine buildings and some new builds have been turned into an eating and shopping Mecca. There are over 450 shops and services with building still continuing. Much to our delight, the day took a decided turn for the better and the sun came out, and there were mostly big white fluffy clouds milling about. We were even lucky enough that the "Table Cloth" of clouds that normally surrounds Table Mountain lifted so we were able to see the whole mountain.

We wandered around the wharf area, stopping to listen to music, and doing a little shopping. I might have bought myself a ring with elephants engraved on it for myself for my birthday.

This bright clock tower was built in 1882 and it overlooks a swing pedestrian bridge that had to open while we were watching for a catamaran to enter the Albert Basin and then under another lift bridge and into the marina.

This statue is an ice cream cone upside down on a wedge of blue cheese! Nanci's kind of art.

We stopped for a bit of lunch and even tried and really enjoyed a local favourite that son-in-law Phil recommended, Savanna, a cider that is really tasty, without being too sweet. I expect there will be a few of these consumed over the course of the next 34 days.

After lunch we headed over to the Cape Wheel while the weather was good and the crowds were thin. It took us up 40 metres and was a great way to see around the whole area, with the beautiful back drop of Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic on the other, with lots of interesting things to see in between. Part of the proceeds from the wheel go the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, South Africa. The funds are use to support projects for youth, particularly those involving sport for those who could not otherwise afford to participate.

Next was a stop at Nobel Square where bronze statues stand of 4 Nobel laureates from South Africa; Nelson Mandela (1993), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1984), former ANC President Albert Luthuli (1961), and FW de Klerk (1993).

Surprisingly enough we got hungry once again, and Nanci had picked up information on a South African cuisine restaurant at the Wharf area. We figure, when in Rome……. It was an excellent choice. We started out on the patio looking out over the luxury and working boats in the marina with Table Mountain and the Cape Wheel, now lighted, as a backdrop. But after it started to spit rain a little, we got moved closer to the building out of the rain. For an appie, we went wild and tried Ostrich Carpaccio. It was served sliced very thin and was a little like chicken. Just kidding, didn't taste like chicken at all. I had the fresh line fish of the day, whose name escapes me as it's something completely alien to me. It was described as being similar to Mahi and it was lovely. Nanci managed to save room to have her first ice cream of the trip for dessert. I expect there will be more of that to come.

j

We're now tucked back in to our hotel and looking forward to tomorrow as our adventures continue.