Stellenbosch

We had a light supper (there I go again) on our last night at the Soeterus and chatted to Louis and Retief. Louis goes down to Stellenbosch and stays all week only returning to Calitzdorp at weekends. He would be leaving at about 4 am. (In the event he took only about three and a half hours to reach Stellenbosch and Retief told us he drives like 'a bat out of hell' at that time of the morning!) It was so sad to make our farewells that night, after all of us chatting over glasses of the Port for which the town is famous. We have promised to write reviews of this lovely place on line, pass round the brochures and, by word of mouth, tell all travellers that they must stop in and be taken care of by this charming couple. We shall keep that promise.

We left just after nine the following morning and drove the five or so hours drive to Stellenbosch. I think we all hated leaving the Karoo behind but consoled ourselves with two wine tastings on the way! We sat under shade trees in one and in a dark cellar like room in the other, but all the wine tasted good!

We arrived at the Bonne Esperance Guest House shortly after five o'clock and had arranged to meet Terry and Alfred Hunt at a restaurant we have dined at twice in Stellenbosch. George got lost on the way which is most unlike him because, like an elephant, he hardly ever forgets a route. We arrived over an hour late and yet there they both were, good natured as ever, happy to see us. Terry is the Assistant Life Long Learner Coordinator on the ship and her husband Alfred teaches history. They have decided to come with George and me to see the Terra Cotta Warriers in Xian in China which will be fun. Alfred is one of the sweetest and funniest men one could meet and Terry is a gem.

The Bonne Esperance is an old Victorian house with graceful modern bedrooms. The young woman who ran it was Afrikaans and charming. After a good breakfast we went on our way towards Cape Town where we were returning to the ship for our last night in South Africa. We treated ourselves to another wine tasting on the way and then George drove us to the top of Signal Hill to see the view before returning the car to Avis.

It is always good to return 'home' to the ship. The cabin is so comfortable and our view from it in Cape Town is stunning as I have described ad nauseum! We showered and changed and Brenda treated us all to a pub dinner on the Waterfront. We had had four magnificent days in South Africa, blue skies and bright sunshine.

Brenda left after breakfast the follwoing morning for home and Frank. George and I saw her into her taxi and waved her goodbye. It seemed strange without her although I think she was ready to go back to Canada. Everyone has been asking for you Brenda and you are missed but our loss is Frank's gain and you are finally home with family and friends....in good time for Jo's birthday and to work on the play! Good wishes from everyone here on the Explorer.

Jeannie has settled in well. It is great for me to have her company, we have known each other for sooo long and feel very comfortable together. We met first as Nursing Sisters in Nairobi, were each other's bridesmaids when we both married there and then coincidentally all moved to Nigeria at about the same time. And we have always kept in touch. I shall miss her terribly when she leaves us in Sri Lanka.

We sailed out of Cape Town two nights ago. Everyone was on deck to watch the dark shapes of the mountains recede into the distance....I never know if it's the last time...

One final note tonight: No one has yet been able to help me get photos on to my blog. Apologies for that...shall try again when the computer lab is quiet and someone can spend an hour or so with me until we manage.