Spring in Cape Town

When we arrived back in Cape Town a couple of weeks ago, it was definitely much warmer than when we had left at the beginning of October, so we thought that Summer was just around the corner. The evenings were a little chilly, but most days the sun shone, and temperatures were in the 20's. Just as the days are shortening in the northern hemisphere, so they are lengthening in the southern hermisphere, and we have had some beautiful evenings.

This photo is just one of several stunning sunsets.

On the first weekend we decided to take a final trip to Hermanus to see the whales, following the coast road, rather than the motorway. It was a beautiful trip. We stopped in a small town, called Gordon's Bay, sat on the sea front, and ate some of the freshest fish, that we've ever tasted.

Then, we followed the coast road round an area known as the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. This is a UNESCO designated site having three specific zones: core, buffer and transition. Every biosphere also has three special functions: the conservation of landscapes, eco-systems and species; development which is socio-culturally sustainable; and logistical support related to local, national and global issues of conservation.

This all sounds very grand, but basically it is an area where there are no fences keeping nature in and people out! Biosphere reserves are commitments by communities to conservation, to ensure their children and grandchildren will enjoy a healthy environment and sustainable lifestyle (taken from the brochure).

Well, we think it is working. The area is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Western Cape.

This is Cape Hangklip, a rocky outcrop, forming a cliff face with the beach. The road diverted behind it and then continued along the coast again.

We needed a cup of tea, rooibos, of course (rooibos means red bush, in Afrikaans, and only grows in the Western Cape. It is a popular and healthy tea), so we stopped at a protea farm.

Protea's are native to South Africa. They are most exquisite and detailed flowers. We bought a bunch of proteas grown on the farm.

Although the journey to Hermanus is much longer, via the coast road, we were not disappointed. We had just parked and started walking along the cliff path when we saw lots of whales in the bay. Many of them were breaching and it made a spectacular display.

We were so glad we had made the effort to travel to Hermanus. I think it is our favourite place - so far!. The following day there was an announcement in church that summer had arrived.

On 31st October it was very hot and humid, with temperatures in the low 30's, and we really thought that summer had arrived.

However, November has been much cooler, with quite a lot of rain and some very strong winds. I had put away our quilt, as we hadn't used it for a few nights, but this week I got it out again, as we were piling blankets on the bed to keep warm. Also, I took most of my warm clothes back to England, thinking that I wouldn't need them again, so my wardrobe is very limited at present.

It seems that summer is a bit further away than we thought.