Our day started with a lovely full English breakfast with a table facing the ocean and crashing waves. It was a sunny morning and the water was sparkling. So nice after so many mornings of cloud cover and drizzle. But still, no whales. Once again, we were asked our views on the political situation in America. This time, we weren't so sure if the woman proprietess of the guest house agreed with us when her only response was, "We'll see."
We set out along the whale route. It is a dramatic Coast reminding us very much of Highway 1 along the west coast of California. There were many places where there was road work going on. They're at the end of their winter, rainy season and some of the road has definitely felt the effect of the rain.
We made a quick pit stop. One of the things that was interesting to us, in some of the pullouts for parking there were food trucks serving coffee. This, however, was an establishment and proudly welcomed dogs.
Shortly after we left, we came across a family of baboons hanging out by the side of the road. Denis had slow to let one of the baboons cross in front of the car as I scrambled for my phone to take a picture. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough and there were a number of cars behind us so we had to move along.
Our first real stop of the day was Vergelegen. While it is a wine estate, Jenny had told us that the reason to visit was to see the gardens and manor house and not to drink the wine. We took her advice. I guess a lot of people just pop in to see the grounds because there was a charge just to enter, 10 rand per person, or about $.55! Vergelegen was established in 1700 when the then Governor of the Cape, claimed 30,000 hectares. Six years later he began planting grapes. It wasn't until 1917 when the Philips family owned the property that Mrs. Phillips began to develop the beautiful and extensive gardens.
After lunch in the Rose Terrace, one of three restaurants on the property, we headed to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. On our trip across the country, we stopped at many sculpture gardens, partly because it was covid and we chose outdoor activities and partly because we enjoy seeing sculpture in natural environments.
Our walk around the extensive gardens involved hopping across many brook crossings. It just drove home, once again, how important it is to travel while we can. So many things become inaccessible or impossible as one becomes less able.
We are spending the next two nights at Bleu Cobalt Cottage in Franschhoek. It is a self-catering apartment. This gave us the opportunity to eat the Maultaschen I bought at the Black Forest Butchery in Cape Town when I was there with Jenny. I enjoy visiting local butchers and seeing what specialties they have. I had listened to a podcast a while ago that talked about how Maultaschen, which are from Germany, are really much better than the Italian ravioli. So, seeing them in the butcher, and knowing that we would have kitchen facilities shortly, I couldn't resist. Maultaschen are large portions of ground meat wrapped in a pasta-like dough, kinda a large dumpling. Interesting, but my emotional attachment to "ravs" will never be shaken❤️
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