Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch

Today started bright and early, and at 8am we set off to catch the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. This was an amazing experience as the internal part of the cable car moved,  offering 360° views over the bay,  up the mountain  and across to Robben Island. With the early morning mist the views were quite magical.

The day could not have been better with clear, clean air and blue skies, but it was certainly cooler at the top. We had two hours to explore and during that time I followed all of the paths, read the information signs,  joined various of our guides to learn about the flora. The large majority of plants were special of reeds, Heather and proteas, although none were blooming here. There were also beautiful lichens, lots of photos to provide stimuli for embroidery!
                                    

 The normal annual rainfall is 1000mm but thus year is only 300mm as the area is in severe drought. There were signs encouraging economy in the use of resources including a very interesting one on the back of the loo door explaining how the water is taken up under the cable cars.  After a refreshing and invigorating walk and a photo opportunity with the aid of one of our friendly group,  I had a coffee with our tour guide.

We descended by cable car again and then headed off to Kirstenbosch by coach, the sun having gained a lot of warmth. This was an amazing garden, although garden hardly describes this vast area flanked by mountains.  It was full of people walking and enjoying themselves. I visited the glasshouses, then the scupture exhibition and had a great lunch in the restaurant, entertained by a gtoup of local singers who sung me a welcome song.

Later we met our guide who was like a black laughing policeman, and kept us entertained for two hours whilst we walked around the gardens, the tree top walks,  seeing some amazing plants including proteas and giant proteas in bloom! We saw yellow bird of paradise flowers and later even white ones, and cycles, the oldest plants on earth. We also walked through the tree tops on the tee top walk.

I opted out of the evening at the harbour for a quiet night in, planning a snack and glass of wine in the bar. This turned into a very interesting experience where I was joined by a couple of chaps who clearly had already consumed too much, plus the lights must have been low and their eyesight lacking, judging by the invitations I received. The barman apologised but I am a big girl and very worldly! My tablet and blog gave me something to focus on and fend off unwelcome invitations. Of course sitting at a bar in a hotel maybe giving a sign of something that I gave yet to be educated in!