Road trip!

Early Saturday morning, we packed the car and with Angus, our bullterrier in tow, began the two and a half hour drive to Gansbaai.  Gansbaai is a fishing town known for shark cage diving just past Hermanus on the South East coast of South Africa.  On all our adventures since the beginning of road trips, it has been mandatory to pack "padkos" or road food which must always include coconut-covered marshmallows! Angus loves them to distraction. The roads were quiet and we arrived in Gansbaai mid-morning. Our accommodation was one of the original homes built literally a stone's throw away from the sea. (This theory was tested.) The walls, made of lime and seashells, are sadly crumbling and the rooms have been added over the years in a haphazard fashion, but the view is spectacular. Our friends, collectively known as "The Posse," had arrived the day before and shouted greetings from the balcony.

We settled in with a cold cider while Angus sniffed and peed on everything! Our first visitor was a mongoose who eyed us from the safety of his bush. Then the whales arrived and put on a spectacular show, launching their massive bulk out of the water and crashing down, known as breaching. As the day progressed, naps were had, walks were taken and food prepared. Our supper was a lamb curry "potjie" which is an iron pot in which all ingredients are simmered very slowly until the meat is wonderfully tender and flavour-infused. We ate as the sun sank and an orange glow picked out Cape Point in silhouette across the bay. The fresh sea air had woven it's relaxing magic so an early night was had by all. Our room was under the main house so apart from Angus initially barking at footfalls on the wooden floors above, we slept well. At crack of dawn, to the calls of a myriad of birds, we awoke. Angus took himself for a swim as we made steaming mugs of tea and coffee. It was to be a balmy, spring day with a touch of "Berg" wind. "Berg" means mountain and it is a warm wind that usually heralds rain. As bleary-eyed friends emerged to the smell of coffee and amid much cheerful banter, the whales slid into view, blowing gentle plumes. Angus helped with breakfast, although I think he was more interested in morsels of bacon. Mongoose was spotted again and Angus barked at him as he sped away into his bush which was surrounded by pretty white daisies. After a delicious breakfast, a lone whale began tail-slapping. It was quite far out, but we could hear the cracks as the massive tail hit the water. Washing up and tidying done, packing the vehicles began and with a final look at our beautiful surroundings we headed out in convoy for home. Another weekend to remember fondly.