Tim had given us really useful information including NOT to take a road Ian had been considering. Apparently if the wind is blowing in a certain direction then the road can get covered in sand, which of course is slippery to drive on and so the chances of an accident or breaking down are increased. Tim said if this happened it was unlikely anyone would stop and, if they did, they'd more than likely not be friendly! He suggested an alternative which we were more than happy with as it would take in another penguin colony but unfortunately as you can see from this map it'll mean driving almost back into Cape Town.
Our first stop though was only about 40 mins drive south east of Cape Town to St James Beach and its painted beach huts. It was a little confusing as the railway ran alongside between the road and the beach but someone kindly directed us to a short underpass. As with most other places, it was fairly deserted although a posse of schoolchildren visited briefly. The tide was fairly well in which was a shame as I'd have liked to get a reflection of the huts in the tidal pool in front.
We walked along a little way hoping for a different angle but no luck.
Ian succeeded in getting one wet foot when a sneaker wave caught him off guard!
The long drive around False Bay (apparently so named 300 years ago when sailors confused it with Table Bay) was fairly easy and uneventful. When we got near to Pringle Bay we decided it was time for a leg stretch so we found a car park and wandered down to the sea - what a glorious place it was.
Then on a few more miles to nearby Betty's Bay and the Stony Point Nature Reserve where we paid the huge entrance fee of £1.68 each and wandered along the well constructed boardwalk. Unlike Boulders Beach it was practically deserted here but then again it was just starting to rain and the wind was so strong you could barely stand up. And it wasn't long before we saw penguins, cormorants and various other sea birds.
Once again I loved the setting and the limited colour palette.
I wonder what this one's thinking about - probably glad of a short rest from a demanding chick.
When we continue on to Hermanus we'll drive along the other side of the bay by the hills
This one looks incredibly furtive.
I mentioned before about some penguins having two breeding seasons so I don't know if this one is pregnant or just fat or just puffing its chest up against the cold.
Back near the car park there were quite a few simply sitting around. Penguins undergo a complete moult each year which takes 3-4 weeks and during this time they have to fast on dry land which depletes their energy levels.
Also happily nesting on the beach were 50+ Egyptian Geese.
I couldn't resist just one last shot.
