End of the road

A night in Elandsbaai had us back on the windy coast where stretches of unspoilt white sand meet the huge crashing waves of the south Atlantic. After a bit of a chill on the beach and checking out the many dead sea creatures that seemed to be washed ashore here, big fish, seal, birds. We spent our last eve sheltered in a small backpackers.

28.09.13 Last day to Cape Town! By late morning we had the big flat topped mountain in sight and roads had turned into 3 or 4 lane highways with a traffic density I had been unused to for some time. Along with a good selection of cars that wernt 4x4’s!

We had arrived after 17,755 miles after turning out of the farm in Cornwall.

After cruising the waterfront and realising we weren’t going to find parking for 2 over height land rovers we stopped up further along the sea front and enjoyed the feeling of finally having arrived.

Before our much anticipated beers we had on last task a good pic of Table Mountain with the steeds in front. Capetown is set in a truly spectacular location with a dramatic coastline backed by the steep rise into the mountains. We wound our way up signal hill where they fire the noon gun from to a lookout spot and did the deed.

Then it was into town for a proper feed, proper bed and of course a proper drink!

The coast south of Cape Town

The following day we headed south to the end of the road at Cape Agulhas Africa’s most southerly point and the seperation between Atlantic and Indian Oceans, where we broke out the celebratory bottle of champagne. Thanks Nadja it was a very good bottle J

The road down was spectacular in places and we managed to see some whales near the coast.

 

A few sundowners looking over the wreak of some poor souls who didn’t make it round the cape and it was back to the warmth of a log fire.

Its still warm enough here by British standards by out of the sun the cool wind takes the temperature down to something we are not used to after months in the 30-50 degrees range.

The bow of a japanese trawler of somesort I think

All that’s left is to head back to Cape Town and clean and wrap the car up as its staying here a little longer for the moment. Then get ourselves on a plane and back to work.

Breakfask on the beach at Cape Agulhas with Millie the backpackers dog

So a many thanks to those who helped us at all stages along the way and those who took us into their homes making this trip so enjoyable.

I guess a special mention should also go in here to our two travelling companions we first bumped into in Turkey and have since travelled on and off with them on the way down, although since Kenya its been more on than off. It is of course the two boys from the Emerald Isle Tadhg & Bob. Who have given us a good laugh, assistance but mainly lots of verbal abuse. Its been fun guys and if your ever bored ive seen a nice little road down a valley on the sat nav that looks interesting.

And to those of you who have followed our little trip I hope it has provided a little interest and enjoyment.

Of course the landscapes, wilderness and wildlife make Africa an unforgettable experience that get under the skin but it would be nothing without the cultures and people we have met.

The generosity shown to total strangers is staggering and a optimism for life that’s infectious. I wonder if ill fall out of the habit of asking literally everyone I meet how they are whether I know them or not.