An outing to Castle of Good Hope

As an 'anniversary outing' last week, we finally visited the Castle of Good Hope, built in 1666 (in what is now the center of Cape Town) by the Dutch East India Trading Company, VOC. For several centuries it was the center of military and colonial life at the Cape. Part of the castle still functions in a military capacity, though most of it is now a museum. Above: view of the entrance and moat, with Table Mountain behind.

Above: Another angle of the moat at the entrance - the 'steeple' behind is the old City Hall, and Lion's Head in background.

Following this outing, we stopped at one of our favorite coffee shops for a 'long black' (Americano), and some studying (Jim) and internet (Jul). Yes, Jim usually carries around a stack of books like this. The reading never stops!

New Life in Winter

Jim spotted and captured this moth 'awakening', if that's the right word, out of its cocoon, latched onto the wall outside our bathroom window. Though it's winter - new life is still seen!

Fireside '9 Hole Golf' at Gauthiers

Now that colder days have arrived, it is a blessed thing to spend a rainy afternoon next to a fire...fortunately Randy & Heather's place has a nice indoor fireplace to keep us all cozy on a Saturday afternoon - chowing fajitas and homemade salsa, playing with the dogs, going for a brief walk around their 'property' (their flat/house shares land with an Indonesian restaurant, a B&B, and 5+ other flats), being mesmerized by the fire, and attempting a few rounds of 9 Hole Golf, while arguing about the rules and what is considered an 'appropriate' way to go out. "What? You're going out now?! But you have 12 points and I still have three more to turn over!" (sound familiar, Hawkins?)

their front porch (above) and the front of the restaurant (below)

Enkido, looking very distinguished.

Rain and Rain and… Rainbows

Amidst all the CRAZY, heavy rains we've been getting this winter so far - we also have seen AMAZING rainbows. Here's the view of one (though the photo only shows half of it), as seen from our front steps, which seems to reach and end in the UCT campus. If you look closely you'll see the double rainbow!

Saturday afternoon saunter in Hout Bay

A leisurely walk along the beach and harbour in Hout Bay, with Blanche. (this town & beach & bay is about 20 min from our suburb) Blanche is a medical doctor (internal medicine) and this was a rare weekend off for her, so we were very lazy together as we sauntered on the sand and later consumed very hot and delicious and fresh fish 'n chips!


In case you're curious, that's a sponge that I'm holding - Jim found it on the sand. No, it's not edible. But I think it's good for exfoliating. And the peak behind us, Chapman's Peak, is the one we hiked a few months ago with the group from church.



This is very much a working harbour, though it being Saturday most of the boats were in harbour and it was quiet.