Friday 29 May 2009 - Today's plan were suppose to be quite simple, a leisurely day in Hermanus, the town known for its whale viewing during the months of August and September, but the plan keeps evolving.
Setting off early I join Ben, who is travelling to CapeNature Regional Office to interview for a post at De Hoop. Arriving in Hermanus, we have time for a spot of breakfast and to pop into see Bens Sister Margaret and husband, who run an art gallery in the centre of the town, before I am left to my own devices.
Hermanus, is a pretty coastal town, there are the usual suspects on the High Street, Clicks (like Boots), Musica (HMV), Mr Price (cheap, cheap version of New Look), Pick n Pay (Asda), but I head for the gifty shops I have spotted on the drive in. There is an interior design shop, where I could really go to town and then one where all the items on sale are made in South Africa. With my ickle Sisters birthday in mind, I buy her a little something, although once boxed posting could become a problem........ OK never mind I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
Time flies, the next thing I know I receive a call to say my ride is here! Hell, I wanted to continue with the retail therapy.
So the original plan being, after my little trip to Hermanus I would naturally to return home to the Park. But oh no, Ben has other ideas volunteering to take Martin, the interviewee, back to the airport in Cape Town, he has managed to pursue Jane and Chris (the Protea expects) to put us for the night so we can all go 'jolling'. OK, so who am I to be a party pooper, Martin and I squeeze into the passenger seat and we are off to the Mother City.
After dropping Martin off, we negotiate rush hour and head to an upmarket area of CT, where Jane and Chris are renting 'The Dog House' aptly named, because it literally is the size of a dog box. The narrow building is a granny annex off the main house, there is one bedroom, the passage to the bedroom doubles as the shower room and the kitchen space can be found in a cupboard in the lounge, the two ringed hotplate pulls out and is quite in genius really. The place is quaint and suits J & Cs needs, they have been living in South Africa for a few months and are returning to the States next week.
Venturing out, we hit 'The Fat Cactus' for dinner and frozen margheritas. The place is packed, and has a great atmosphere. Unfortunately they are fully booked inside, so we are forced to eat outside, we are supplied with authentic ponchos and luckily the outdoor heaters are working a treat. After dinner, we head to The Observatory, an area of CT, well known for its nightlife and live music. We plump for a bar called 'Roots', enjoying a couple of Savannahs and a spot of people watching near the open fire. Later into the night, the stage is filled with two guitarists, one also being the vocalist, a dread locked Australian no less, giving the place a reggae vibe.
Put up on sofa beds (please note the plural), Ben and I camp out in the lounge and are woken by Bens cell at some ridiculous hour. It is the Swellendam Fire Department, does he have a number for someone at the Park. The Municipality dump is ablaze, with strong winds it heading for the Park. Hell - fire! We work together and call Bulelwa and SMS Ruhan who is in the Park alone. After we have woken all and sundry, it is determined that the Park is not on fire, the Fire Inspector has been over zealous.
I have to laugh, for if Ben and I were having a torrid affair, we would have been well and truly sprung. Although all is quite innocent, I'm not looking forward to the Bontebok interrogation come Monday morning!
