Sunday night showed us what a cold front was really all about! Ufudu was blown around in a manner that made us think we were out at sea. Needless to say sleep was rather erratic between gusts of wind and sheets of rain. The morning fortunately brought a short respite allowing us to get ready to leave. We took a slow drive (the only way to drive Ufudu anyway) from Noordhoek to Kleinmond. Our route initially took us down Silvermine Road towards Muizenburg, past Gordon’s Bay, hugging the False Bay coast-line as far as possible. Then Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay.
Despite the weather the drive was very scenic. Everything is fresh and green and we noticed a number of waterfalls cascading down the mountains.
We arrived at Palmiet Caravan Park just outside Kleinmond in the mid-afternoon. And the first thing we saw was a pod of dolphins moving rather swiftly in the waves. Judging by the number of sea birds moving along with them they must have been on the hunt.
Despite the weather we chose a campsite with a sea view. It was rather nice to sit in bed, snuggly under the down duvet, watching the angry sea with its huge swells and massive breakers.
The next day brought what we thought was a promise of better weather (isn’t that how legend has it?) in the form of a spectacular rainbow. But alas, the weather did not improve; instead it got worse.
Now I know what you are thinking: we were warned…
We had a very yummy lunch in Kleinmond and then set out towards the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The reserve, which is a World Heritage site, caters mainly for hiking (and river-related activities) but unfortunately has no roads to drive around on. This would not normally be a problem for us, but of course I cannot yet hike. Roger requested permission to view the accommodation and wow, we were impressed!
By the evening the wind was gusting 36kts (67Km/h) so we decided that a braai was not the best option for an evening meal! We ended up having a tin of sardines with bread and salad (a meal we both enjoy, by the way!). If we thought Ufudu was rocking in Noordhoek this was even worse; just as well neither of us suffer from motion sickness! Packing up at Palmiet the next morning was a challenge. Roger was soaked to the skin as everything was done in pouring rain. Nothing a hot shower could not remedy though!
Roger noticed that one of Suzi’s tie-down brackets had started tearing away so we stopped in at Kleinmond Supa Quick. Schalk Boonzaaier and his team bolted and welded the bracket back in place while I caught up on admin in Ufudu, parked across the road in the rain.
Next stop was at our friend Rinette in Stanford Bay. We again parked in her drive-way as we did when we fetched Ufudu. The trailer and Suzi were parked across the road on an open stand. Rinette had prepared the most delicious dinner for us and after some hours of chatting and drinking red wine we turned in for a reasonably early night. It was cold. And wet.
It was good to see Rinette and her mother again and after another day and night we moved on yet again, heading up the coast towards Cape Agulhas. Thanks Rinette for everything; until next time!
Always enjoy seeing you. Next must be in summer (February, March best time of the year) or in September/October when Walker Bay has wall to wall whales.
Noted and diarised!