Our next stop was Camps Bay which of course we'd seen from atop Table Mountain.
I originally thought we were at Boulders Beach and I'm sure you can understand why.
Gazania growing in its native environment.
We then drove on south to Chapman's Peak Drive which is a famous, 9km long, toll road affording fantastic views of the scenic coastline. It has 144 curves and no stopping places. When we got to a lookout point Calvin volunteered to take our photos (actually he said he trained to be a photographer when he was younger); he took several versions of the one below and cut our feet off in all of them !
A glorious view looking back towards Hout Bay.
One tree had these little beaded decorations hanging on it but we couldn't see anyone there actually selling them.
A huge group of bikers were already in the car park when we arrived, with all sorts of different vehicles ranging from motorbike and sidecar to Harley Davidsons.
We figured they'd all soon be leaving after their Group photo, so we beat a hasty exit so we wouldn't get caught behind their convoy on the twisting road.
This is part of a 155m long half tunnel with a rock overhang supported by 95-tonne rock anchors and a steel-reinforced shotcrete lining, to protect the road from falling rocks.
At the end of the mile long drive is Noordhoek Beach.
This is the wreck of SS Kapapo, a 665 ton schooner rigged steamship which was on its way from London to Sydney in 1900 when it ran aground in the sand. No lives were lost and the crew could actually alight on the sand, but no amount of leveraging could get her back into the water. Legend has it that the captain refused to leave the ship, so mortified was he at the mishap. Some say he lived onboard for as long as three years.
What a super place to go riding.
We then stopped at Noordhoek Village Farm which was basically an events type place with several eateries and shopping outlets - just the sort of place we wanted to avoid but we appreciated that Calvin probably needed a break from driving.
The first decent shot of Protea flowers (common name sugarbush). There are about 112 species with around 80% endemic to South Africa and the Cape Floral Region.
Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as pig's ear or round-leafed navel-wort.
Almost down now at Cape Point, the beaches are just amazing with beautiful clean, white sand.
At first we thought these were seals out in the water, but actually I think it's kelp or some other kind of seaweed.
Sharp-eyed Ian spotted this antelope far away in the distance. It's a Blesbok and as they are relatively uncommon Calvin wasn't convinced Ian had seen it at first but then we stopped.
We then stopped briefly at an ostrich farm, just because it was on the itinerary. As always they are difficult creatures to photograph as they move their heads up and down constantly.
Rather a good shot of its nictitating membrane though. Also known as a "third eyelid," the nictitating membrane is a thin, transparent or translucent membrane located on the inner side of the eye, extending from the inner corner to the outer corner. It protects the eye from wind, dust, and other hazards, especially during flight or when foraging and helps keep the eye moist and clean, similar to how humans blink. In most birds, the nictitating membrane is transparent enough to allow the bird to see while it is closed.
This is Skaife's Barn which is apparently a museum but of what we didn't find out and in any case it was closed.
And finally we're down at Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula.
I think the next piece of land is Antarctica.
There were quite a few tour buses and lots of people having their photo taken with the sign. We waited patiently and eventually we got our turn.
A very large containership offshore.
Now these definitely are seals.
Whereas this is seaweed once again.
I was rather surprised to see this ostrich m. wandering along.
Calvin then drove us halfway up the hill and left us time for some lunch and then to walk the rest of the way up to the lighthouse.
I've no idea what's causing this spume of bubbles and froth.
Down near the cafeteria area these birds were dashing around trying to pinch food from unattended plates. They look like Red-winged Starlings but nowhere can I find any reference to the yellow head/face feathers, unless it’s covered itself with pollen or something.
Throughout the day I've been pushing Calvin as to when we would visit Boulders Beach for the penguins and how much time we would have there. He checked the tide times and said that late afternoon would be best, which is a bit of a shame as we might be losing the light by then. I'm also not entirely convinced there are indeed any photographable penguins there (much like elusive tigers in India).
Anyway it was at last time to head back towards Boulders Beach, about a half hour drive up the east side of the peninsula. When we got to the area near the beach the car park was rammed and so after driving around unsuccessfully for 5 mins or so Calvin asked us to get out and wait whilst he tried to find a parking space further along the road. Whilst we were waiting there was a group of I guess 12 young girls dancing and one in particular was extremely rhythmical and a delight to watch.
