India - Holiday Research!!

Researching a new holiday is sometimes almost as much fun as the journey itself! A new country that you have never visited before, is an occasion to brush up on those old forgotten geography lessons. Such is my task now with India, a country not yet visited and also our first trip eastwards. Crazy that we have never ventured further east than Mauritius but it now means an entire new culture and experience. Which is what travel is all about.

So my Atlas has come out, many e-mails have been sent off to India Tour operators and loads of Googling has taken place! What we ever did before the Internet  arrived seems a scary thought in this age of technology. Imagine trying to organise a trip whilst being reliant on snail mail? The mind does not even want to go there! Travel Agents were the best bet before the Internet exploded - these days, they specialise in group tours and last minute specials. They don't seem able to compete with online prices which is sad in a way.

My first trip overseas was booked with a lovely, chatty lady who was a mine of information and I looked forwarded to sitting at her desk, sipping some tea and going through various options. Mind you, they did not offer so many options those days - today there is just so much information available.

So back to India.

Firstly, we received many quotes from Indian operators as we were considering doing a tour. If you really want to be pestered, give your phone number to an Indian in India. Cell phone charges must be cheap as they called me every day on my cell phone. Such persistence actually put me right off the idea of using these guys. There was one operator, Culture Holidays who was not pushy and we would most probably have used his services had we decided to go for his itinerary.

The really irritating thing is that a foreigner is NOT allowed to hire a car for a self-drive in India. All car hire comes with a driver and most are only for 8hours unless you have booked with an agent who then books your driver into lodgings as well. Being so used to being independent, has irritated me as the thought of being subjected to crazy driving when I suffer so badly from motion sickness, put me off this idea for our first trip to India. Whilst we will still need to catch taxis, hopefully it won't be too bad.

If you watched  the Jeremy Clarkson show of their drive in India, you will see why no foreigners may venture behind the wheel! Drivers are just plain crazy?
So we have that fact to look forward to!!!

Anyway, we eventually decided to forget about the Golden Triangle which everybody does and concentrate on just 3 areas of India on our first visit.

Next were the reviews to find a hotel in Mumbai. Oh my gosh - some of the comments! Cockroaches, smelly bathrooms, no air-con, surly staff. Does one really want to go on holiday and be subjected to that? No me.

We used Trip Advisor, Agoda, Booking.com and Venere to research hotels with fairly good reviews. And so the price just started going up and up as the only ones with half decent reviews appear to be the 5 Star hotels. And even some of those have negative comments! Oh well, let's go for broke and book a 5 Star hotel in Colaba, the tourist area of Mumbai. Once again, if you want to pay in your local currency, try all the hotel booking engines first.

We booked with Venere - purely based on the fact that we paid in ZAR. Going overseas and paying with the Credit card and then arriving home to a "way over budget"  figure due to exchange fluctuations is no fun. OK so the money has gone off the bank account early but that means more time to save again and perhaps have extra spending money!

This is a personal choice, many would prefer to use local currency on arrival.

Air-tickets - another run-around. Just keep an eye on your favourite booking engine and also check with the airline itself. You can sign up for price increases or decreases with sites like Skyscanner, Travelstart, Flitesite or the airline web itself.

For now, I am taking a breather, reading as much as I can about India, chatting via e-mail to my Flickr contacts and just trying to psych myself up for this trip into the unknown. Not being the most adventurous person, and with a very staid partner, who refused to dance on the square at Lisdoornva in Ireland, what hope do I have? The most exciting thing he has done recently was to swim in his UNDERPANTS (heaven forbid!!) in Gabon. Thankfully, I was not there to witness this breaking out!

Perhaps, we can have a replay in India? Hope springs eternal!

If anybody has any tips, please pass them on!

PS - we enjoyed a fabulous trip - see the Blogs on India!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

10 Essential Travel Tips

The following tips are pretty basic things that one may sometimes forget to check in all the excitement of going on holiday!

Even an experienced traveller could sometimes get caught out and then your plans will go totally haywire.

1 - Ensure that your passport is still valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

2 - Ensure that you have enough BLANK pages in your passport,  as required by the country that you intend visiting.
One hears so many stories of travellers being sent back home because they do not have enough blank pages. Imagine!

3 - Check whether you require a visa or not and then apply in good time.
I once applied for a Schengen Visa a few months before I was due to fly. The only reason for this was that my work schedule ahead was going to be very busy and I wanted this "to-do" chore off my list. I considered the Germans extremely efficient so thought there would be no problem. Waiting in line, everybody ahead of me had forgotten something and they were turned away. My turn and all my documents were in order but I was told that I was too early!! Show me this clause on your web site, I said. No - it's not on the web site, they answered. So then WHY can't you take my papers now? You are too early was the only answer they could give me although their web site stated nothing in this vein. Needless to say, I was very disgruntled and decided that the Germans are not so efficient after all. I wonder if they updated their website?

4 - Book flights early in order to get a good price. However, if your dates are flexible, it is sometimes even better to wait for those great specials e-mailed to you by your local travel agent. Get on their mailing list - it could save you money.

5 - Always store your passport in a safe place. Silly tip - NO!
 I have a friend who "lost" her passport the day before her international flight was due to take off. This resulted in untold stress in order to get another document within the space of 24 hours. Luckily, the authorities took pity on her and did issue a replacement . However, you cannot bank on this happening in all countries and you could end up sitting at home with a glum face and an empty bank account..

6 - Get a copy of your "Prescription Medicine" from your local doctor and keep it handy. Pack prescription drugs in your checked-in baggage and only keep enough in your hand luggage for your trip + 1 day in case of delays.

7 - If you are prone to bronchitis, gastro or any other ailment requiring an anti-biotic, always take this with you on your trip. There is nothing worse than getting ill in a strange place, having to find a doctor who speaks English and having to pay your hard-earned Forex on a medical bill. I always always pack in a variety of medicines/creams etc  that we use locally - saves time and money if you suddenly need an anti-histamine or Imodium.

8 - For fairly crease-free clothing, I pack in plastic Supermarket bags. You can label the bags with a black marker so you know what is in each bag (if they are not clear plastic) This method has worked so well for me that I rarely even bother to unpack - it's all in separate bags, ready when required.

9 - Plugs - make sure you have international adaptor plugs for your camera, mobile phone, laptop, hairdryer etc. None of these items will be of any use, if you cannot plug them in when you reach your destination.

10 - Leave a copy of your travel documents at home with somebody in case you have a mishap of any sort. The information will then be available after a quick call or e-mail. I certainly cannot remember my passport number - can you?


Enjoy your travels!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Cape Town - Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay Tidal Pool at High Tide

One of the very best things in life is to be passionate about the city that one lives in.

Living in Cape Town is such a bonus and sometimes I just have to pinch myself to realise that it is real and we do enjoy this city day in and day out. Although that dreaded word "WORK" does get in the way! I am nevertheless also passionate about my Self-Catering business (Bradclin Portfolio) and love hearing from the many and varied visitors/guests from all walks of life. Their stories are so interesting and their careers so many and varied. So truly, the best of it all right here at home, despite my extreme thirst for travel!

One of our favourite haunts over a week-end is Kalk Bay. This village is so different from many of the other Cape Town suburbs that one could be mistaken and think you are already out of the city and in another world. One of the earliest visitors to this area was Simon van der Stel (1677 - 1699) who discovered that the fishing was good here and he could thus supply his men with food during the winter. To this day, the fishermen still ply their trade out of the picturesque harbour and fresh fish can be bought directly from the boats on the quay side. It's fascinating to watch the women scale and gut the fresh fish while you wait!

Whaling was a major source of income in years gone by until the Southern Right whales were practically extinct. Luckily, with the ban on whaling, the Southern Right whale numbers are increasing annually and these wonderful creatures can be seen along the coast from approx. August each year.

The Kalk Bay harbour was built in 1918 and this is a must see in cape Town. Stroll along to see the locals fishing, enjoy some fish and chips or a fancier plate of seafood in one of the harbour restaurants then wander the Main Road with it's many antique shops, art galleries, the famous China  shop with it's many rooms laden with tea sets, dinner services from grandma's day plus many other finds from the attics! There are interesting clothing shops, a variety of coffee shops, many restaurants such as the "oldies" "Cape To Cuba" , "The Brass Bell" "Olympia Cafe and "Harbour House" Restaurant. There are many more new kids on the block so one can keep going back to sample them all!

Do wander up the cobbled side streets - you may just find a treasure or two to take home or something unusual to look at.

Browse the Main Road, venture uphill for great views, eat your fill, cool off in the tidal pool and then finish off the day at the Kalk Bay Theatre. Your day can be as fun-filled and busy as you want it to be or it can be totally laid-back while you sip your drinks and watch the other crazy locals wandering by.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Cape Town, South Africa - for Adventure Seekers - 10 Reasons to visit

Cape Town is many things to many people and yet is loved by all who visit or live in this amazing city.

For the young at heart or those seeking something different from the city in the way of adventure sports, we can recommend the following:

10 Reasons to visit Cape Town for an Adventure Holiday!

1 - Tandem Skydiving

2 - Kite Surfing off Blouberg Beach

3 - Hiking up Table Mountain and surrounds

4- Game Fishing from Simonstown

5 - Shark Cage Diving

6 - Abseiling off Table Mountain

7 -  Tandem Paragliding

8 - Horse riding while Wine Tasting

9 - Diving around the coast of Cape Town

10 - Rock Climbing

Have fun in trying something new!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Sundays River and back to Cape Town

Sundays River, South Africa

The Sunday River has the most beautiful sand dunes lining the banks. However, if you do not have a boat, getting to the river means going through the Pearson Park Resort. The current cost is R60.00 even if you are only there for an hour. The drive down goes past the camping sites on a dirt road which is quite bone-shattering. At the end of the road there is a sandy "parking spot" The walk to the river mouth does not take long and the views are spectacular. This is a haven for fisherman, birds and people who enjoy nature.

There are boat rides on the river but the chap only takes a minimum of 4 so he was not willing to take us out. This was very disappointing as the dunes must be totally incredible from the water. There are sand-boarding excursions from Pearson Park - one only hopes that these are well controlled so as not to disturb the eco-system of the dunes.

It was the strangest sight to see two moving fishing rods way beyond the dunes - we realised that there was a path below the dune and the fisherman were walking down to he sea! At first, we thought we were indeed seeing ghostly happenings.

The clouds suddenly came over and the sky darkened which spoilt the light that I was hoping for on the sand. The boats were out and fishing or just enjoying their spin down to collect bait. We felt like hi-jacking one but not being Somali's, we are not quite versed in the art of hi-jacking boats. Sadly!!

Our evening meal at the Elephants Footprints Lodge, was the best in a few days - culinary art is not the greatest in these small places. The Dutch guests were looking forward to their  excursion to Addo the following day whilst we were not looking forward to the homeward journey.

An early start to the day meant that we reached Knysna in time for breakfast. The restaurant at the Heads was our choice - stunning views and a good plate f food. We watched, fascinated, as the yachts went out through the Heads - the sea was calm but it is still a tricky maneuver. The Knysna Lagoon is so  beautiful and the views from the top of Coney Glen Drive are superb.

Traffic was well behaved so we made good time although the many speed limits between Plett and George make for slow going.

The Point at Mossel Bay was a welcome short lunch break and we watched he children dive and play in the tidal pool at high tide. with waves crashing over the rocks, it's quite scary and we were worried that they would get bashed against the rocks as the waves were so high. Luckily not.

The last stay of this trip is on a farm called "A Farm Story" On the road to Still Bay, it is a dairy farm that also has a cheese factory. The Kasselshoop Cheese factory was started in 2002 and sells it's cheese to Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape. The guest house is in a restored cottage which was known as "Oom Tom se Huis" It is beautifully dencorated with old family history, dresses, old wash basins, photos etc and is a look into the past whilst still enjoying modern comforts. And a long history this farm has as it has seen 5 generations of farmers to date.

I love the quote "If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed" The family history goes back to 1700 when a German wagon builder from the town of Kassel, travelled to South Africa and so the story began........

This is also the site of the southernmost skirmish between the Boers and the British on 12/9/1901. One hundred years later, 12 September 200, a monument was set up on the exact spot where this battle took place and can be visited whilst on this farm.

For now, we look forward to a home-cooked meal and a good night's rest with only the cows, the stars and the moon for company!

After a good breakfast, we set off for Still Bay about 20 kms away. This town has an East and West side divided by a beautiful Goukou River. The beaches are simply fantastic for long walks at low tide and swimming appears to be safe. Fishing seems very important to the locals as the harbour had many trailers parked - some even towed by tractors!!! There are lovely houses on the beach - west side - it looks so relaxing, the inhabitants sipping their lunch time drinks, with braai fires going. The kids are able to play quite happily on the sand right in front of their holiday homes. On the East side, there are some really old "beach" houses - most probably built many, many years years ago and still well loved. Many larger mansions stand proud and tall - for the rich families who have to show off that they have made it in the world. Give me the beach living any time.  We watched a rather distraught parent shouting at her kids on a canoe to come back - they were far out and oblivious to their mother's stress. They did capsize but it was low tide and we saw the standing in the sea so it was shallow quite far out. The mom was not amused as she was wading out and calling to her childen all the time!! I think the canoe will be locked away in future!!

Back on the farm for a short siesta and then a walk amongst the cows and outbuildings then sundowners whilst listening to the numerous birds. There are resident owls in the trees at night but we have not yet spotted them. Feeding a calf a bottle of milk is such fun - they certainly can gulp it down in a few seconds.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Grahamstown Day Trip

Grahamstown Suburbs

Grahamstown is an easy day trip from Colchester (Addo) so we set off after breakfast. The drive out was pleasant with not much traffic. Everything is very green despite it being mid-summer. There are a vast number of game lodges in the area from Colchester to Grahamstown - so you are spoilt for choice if this is your what you wish to do. We saw some giraffe, zebra and buck from the road.

Grahamstown was started off as a small military outpost in 1812 by British Officer, Colonel John Graham during the turbulent frontier wars. It grew into a market town and was once the second largest city after Cape Town!! Can you imagine! Not any more - Cape Town beats it hands down. Sorry, Grahamstown.

The 1820 British Settlers also arrived in the town and they established many of the schools and churches still in use today. Grahamstown has Rhodes University and a wander through the grounds was pleasant although it is too early in the year for students. Unfortunately, the Botanical Gardens, which adjoin the university, are in very poor condition and not worth the name "Botanical" despite being right opposite the Botany Department! Neglected and looking really sad, it's a great shame. The University grounds are well kept and a pleasure to wander around.

Grahamstown boasts the oldest Red Post Box in the country and a letter posted here will receive a special frank. It is quite difficult to find as there are no signs and no special plaque when you reach the spot on corner of Worcester and Somerset Roads.

The views from Signal Hill are lovely over the town - sadly, there was a fire on the mountain behind us so the town was covered in smoke. The 1820's Monument on the hill hosts the Grahamstown Festival annually - however, we were rather disturbed by the fact that the memorial bench to the founder was not maintained and the paths are full of weeds. It's a shame.

The centre of the town has many interesting buildings and is certainly worth a wander. The locals don't need cell phones - they shout across traffic and so loudly that everybody can hear them!!!!

The most exciting find for us was the museum which houses the Observatory Museum which in turn houses the only authentic Camera Obscura in the Southern Hemisphere. It provides a 360 degree view of Grahamstown once you have climbed the 70 or so steps!! It is a completely fascinating experience seeing traffic going past way down below plus seeing all the buildings in colour.

There are 5 museums in the town - we only had time to visit the one.

The cathedral of St Michael and St George was started in 1824 and took a 128 years to complete - only finished in 1952 - can you imagine building for so many years? Incredible! Grahamstown is known as "the city of saints" as there are no less than 52 places of worship. Holy people, so hopefully a peaceful place to live!

Church Square has a number of monuments and is an interesting part of town.

There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants in the town when you start feeling peckish.

The drive back to Colchester was rather hairy as the EC (Eastern Cape) drivers were hell-bent on getting somewhere fast so were overtaking on double lines, blind rises etc. Seeing this sort of driving behaviour it is not surprising that the death toll on South Africa's roads over the 2012 Festive season was so high. Cowboy drivers. We were stopped twice - on the road to Grahamstown plus on the way back - for licence checks. The cops/traffic police would be better employed checking the motorists who are totally reckless and endanger other peoples lives.

Safely back at our B&B, we breathed a sigh of relief!!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Addo Elephant Park

Small Town Folk make life interesting!

It is amazing who one meets whilst travelling.

We visited a pub in Cannonville last night - a local chap came in to the bar and spent ages sprouting at the poor barman - with many "f's" thrown into his Afrikaans and something about security, we were not quite sure what he was on about. But he was certainly very vocal and perhaps not too nice a character with too many beers under his belt! Thankfully, he left before I had to venture to the toilet!

The waiter was very friendly and chatty - it turned out that he grew up in Oudtshoorn - same as myself, although of a much younger generation.
His family moved to Port Elizabeth hence his job in the small town of  Cannonville. There are some beautiful houses along the banks of the Sundays River - most with their own jetties. Relaxed living! The pub, the bottle store and the small supermarket are all owned by one person. This seems to be a trend in these small "dorps" (towns) The waiter is hoping to travel - perhaps to Australia - I sincerely hope he is able to broaden his horizons one day as this truly is a tiny village - even worse than Oudsthoorn!!

Tonight we visited a small restaurant in Colchester called "The Juicy Canvas". Foodwise, a disaster! Apparently, the owner opened in Sept 2012 and has endured staff problems etc so our burgers were not home-made and the salad consisted of tomato and lettuce with 1 green olive. Only ice-cream and chocolate sauce was on offer for dessert so we gave that a miss. However, the waitress was very charming and apologetic about the limited choice which should all be fixed within days. One hopes so!!!! The owner, Jeni is an artist and her artwork adorns the walls of the restaurant. There are other artists on display as well. Jeni loves Addo and draws much of her inspiration from her own photo's taken in the park. She has intimate knowledge of the park which would have been handy to have BEFORE we entered!

Many will remember the horrid event in 2011 when 3 rhino were poached at Kariega Game Reserve, not to far from Colchester. One rhino died and Thandi and Themba had horrific wounds. Themba drowned but Thandi survived with medical assistance. Jeni donated a painting which raised R25,000 towards Thandi's care. A great act of kindness towards the rhino.

Jeni has also done a painting for Jacob Zuma - not sure if that is a good thing or not!!!! Hopefully, he paid with his own money and not that of the South African tax payers!!

Our hosts here in Colchester moved from France a year ago when they bought an existing B&B.  With 3 teenage children, a very brave move and we wish them well! Unfortunately, the schooling here is not as advanced as it is in France, where it is also free. Education levels in South Africa have dropped dramatically which is not in the best interests of anybody in South Africa.  They are a happy couple, full of praise for South Africans and their helpfullness. Whether they stay in SA or return  to France one day, they are making a life here for now and are still smiling!

What a variety of folk in such  a tiny place - it certainly makes travel interesting!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Garden Route to Addo Elephant Park - Part 4 Addo

An early start in rain, believe or not, meant that we could get into Addo for a game drive. The sun came out and the day got hot. We drove and drove, seeing only zebra and buck. We decided that Addo was a myth after all - well advertised by somebody out to make money! And then - suddenly, a huge group of ellies from large to small at a water hole. What a special time it was watching them drink, wash themselves, have dust baths and then mud baths! The groups seemed to have a order as they came down to drink in smaller groups. The baby elephant was too precious and he/she had huge fun getting totally muddy whilst surrounded by the family.

Wart Hogs also came down to drink - however, they were quite skittish and I can't say I blame them with these huge beasts so close.

Addo is all about elephants and they are truly magnificent beasts. Started from only 16 elephants after all others had been shot, the park now has over 500 although it is not likely that you will see them all as the bush is very dense.

We have managed to get close to warthog, zebra, ostrich, black-backed jackal, red hartebees, kudu, blue crane, plus the elephants!

The Main Camp, where there is a restaurant is at the Main gate - in the north of the park. One can also enter at the south gate Matyholweni - however, they have no restaurant. The spot where we saw the most elephants was at Hapoor Dam. One can also picnic in the park at designated spots only.

The vegetation in the park is dense and green so nothing is spotted in the bush - you will find game on the plains, at the water holes or alongside the road.
Our best bird sighting was a  African Hoopoe. There are loads of birds - not always easy to photograph.

The baby warthogs are so cute but also so fast to run away - camera shy.

If you are ever in the area of Port Elizabeth, do visit Addo Elephant Park - you won't be sorry.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Garden Route to Addo Elephant Park - Part 3 Storms River to Port Elizabeth



Tsitsikamma

The N2 is in good condition and the first section of the drive from Storms River is with the Tsitsikamma Mountains on your left. It's very green and forested until one reaches the farming areas - with loads of cows which sometimes escape onto the road - so take care! At milking time we saw a very long line of cows walking in single file towards the milking sheds - I have never seen that before. We branched off at Humansdorp headed towards Cape St Francis. A rather ugly lighthouse greets one and the beach, while stretching for miles, appears to have strong currents. A huge warning signboard advises one what to do if caught in a rip. Stay out of the sea rather? That gets my bet!

There was not much to excite us at Cape St Francis so we drove back towards St Francis Bay. The small harbour had a number of chokka boats moored with their night lights strung up. Another boat was loading ice from the huge ice depot - however the pipe had a hole in it so ice was spraying all over the worker! It looked like a flurry of localised snow. The houses/apartments around the harbour had numerous cracks in the walls - I don't think they would be a good buy.

The best part of St Francis Bay is the area around the waterways and canals. The homes are mostly thatched roofed and very luxurious. A recent fire burnt out a number of homes - braai's and thatch roofs don't go together on a windy day. The fire was huge and jumped the water to destroy a number of homes. Great devastation, most probably caused by a moments carelessness. The roads in this area are in a pitiful state - one has to wonder where all the rates money goes to?



St Francis - Destroyed by Fire

Jeffrey's Bay now has a very large Shopping Mall before you reach town. It's about 5 years old now, looks brand new and has all the shops you could wish for - city shopping on the outskirts of JBay! The town itself was a great disappointment - it looks tired and run down. The beach swimming is not the safest but one can walk for miles and miles. The famous surfing spot called Supertubes where all the surfing competitions are held, eluded us. There was a braai place called Supertubes with a couple of shady characters sitting around so we did not want to leave the car there to take a further look!

The best thing that we found in JBay was a cafe called Kitchen Windows located at the surfing spot of Kitchen Windows. It's laid back with a sign that says "If you are not barefoot, you're overdressed" The food was excellent - Thai Fishcakes and divine Amarula Cheese Cake. The staff were friendly and the view over the bay is lovely with a fresh breeze to cool one down. JBay redeemed itself in my eyes purely by our experience at this spot!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Garden Route to Addo Elephant Park - Part 2 Wilderness to Storms River

Canoeist at Look Out Beach, Plettenberg Bay

The drive from Wilderness to Plettenberg Bay is very scenic - surrounded by the Wilderness lakes and then the Knysna Lagoon, it's water, water for most of the way. We stopped in Plettenberg Bay where the Beacon Isle Hotels dominates the beach skyline. A good spot for breakfast or lunch is the Look Out Restaurant which is practically on the beach. This beach and the surrounding buildings were damaged during a heavy winter storm  a few years ago. Plett has always been favoured by the folk from Johannesburg as their holiday spot and it is also the annual hang-out of thousands of teenagers when they finish writing their matric (Grade 12) exams every year.

A must see in the Plett area is Monkeyland, and Birds of Eden. Guided tours will take you through the trees to spot the various types of primates who live here and are free roaming. The Birds of Eden is next door and is the largest single free flight aviary in the world. One wanders through 1.2 km of walkways in a 2.3 hectare aviary. African and exotic, colourful birds share this huge space. Please take enough time to spot them - if you rush through, you could end up seeing nothing! My gold chain was lost on this walk as a cheeky bird perched on my shoulder, much to my delight - it was only later that I realised he had chewed through my chain which dropped off and was lost forever!!!

A guided tour up the Keurbooms River is another interesting experience or you can hire a boat and go 5km up the river, stopping off at the various white sand beaches for a swim or picnic lunch. Both are very enjoyable and fun provided that you don't get stuck on a sand-bank!!

Our next stop was at the very famous Bungy Jump at Bloukrans Bridge. This is the worlds highest bungy jump at 216 metres and is not for the faint-hearted! Needless to say, we have not attempted this adventure, leaving it to all the crazy people out there who have no fear. Whilst I wanted to do the "under bridge" walk - high up over the gorge, under the bridge, James refused point blank so that was that. There were many people milling about but we did not see anybody jump! Sadly, as I wanted to hear those screams of fear. I have to point out that we both chickened out of the bungi jump in Queenstown, New Zealand and that one is not so high!!!!! So it's safe to bet that Bungi Jumping is an activity which is NOT on our bucket list.

Storms River Mouth was our next stop - the San called this area "The Place of many Waters" due to the fact that the river water is stained tannin-black from  the many ferns in the area. It's a heavily forested area with many new trees recently planted. The older trees are yellowwood, stinkwood, hard pear, ironwood, kamassi etc. The rivers have cut out deep gorges whilst flowing down to the sea and this is borne out by the high bridges on this route.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is one of Africa's oldest and largest Marine Reserves. For those seeking adventure, it is the place to be. The famous Otter Trail starts at Storms River and ends in Nature's Valley. At 42 km it is not for the unfit and bookings have to be made far in advance. We opted to take the trail to the Storms River Mouth which is about 1km each way but with many steps. The views over the sea are gorgeous. The trail does not end at the suspension bridge but we chose to walk the bridge over the river mouth - a piece of cake compared to the adrenalin of just the thought of bungi jumping!

Hot, sweaty and with creaking knees, I collapsed into a seat at the restaurant to fortify myself with a cold beer and delicious samoosa's and springrolls whilst James enjoyed fish cakes. It took ages for us both to cool down  after just 2kms!!

Our accommodation at Storms River is called Swallows Nest - the 6 cottages are set within a very pretty garden with oak trees and colourful flowers. Just the spot after the hot day. The village is tiny but busy with the many adrenalin seeking tourists who come here for the Zipline Tours, Abseiling, quad biking, hiking or Blackwater Tubing. The owner of Swallows Nest built and managed a guest house for 16 years before building these cottages as Self-Catering units.

Supper time came around and we headed to Tsitsikamma Inn. The dining room was deserted so we were shown to the smaller bistro area. The food was very slow in coming and my bobotie was the most insipid I have ever tasted. James enjoyed his 300 gr burger though! Dessert was not great either and the atmosphere was very dull - they even forgot to change the CD until eventually one was put on. The hotel looks old with newer rooms in the grounds. Service was pleasant but a rather uninteresting experience. Unfortunately, Marilyn' 60's Diner closed at 18.00 hrs - perhaps because it was Sunday? This place is funky, belts out Elvis music, has tons of  memorabila, down to the old Cadillac! We hope to visit before we leave the village.

Thankfully James got up to make the tea this morning and found a scorpion in the kitchen sink! I would have screamed enough to set the village alight! The owner came to "doom" the poor thing whilst saying that they are quite common in this area and nothing to worry about! Yeah????

The local coffee shop does a great breakfast and has a sign that says "if you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen" Perhaps I must try this back home?
The coffee shop is owned by a chap who bought up the entire building which now houses a number of small shops. Talk about passive income!

The day is simply gorgeous - not too hot and with blue skies, scattered with the odd puffy clouds so walking was called for. We first did the Fynbos Trail which starts opposite the Info Centre at the entrance to the village. It is 1.8 km and an easy walk. However, I felt very claustrophobic surrounded by tall fynbos - perhaps the thought of snakes and spiders did not help. We saw many nests - presumably of large spiders! I had a fleeting thought of prodding one open but it looked so mean that I thought better leave well alone! The proteas grow very tall and the plants must be magnificent when they are all flowering.

After a short rest, we headed for the BIG TREE - this is a yellowwood tree of approx 1000 years. It's height is 36.6 m and it's circumference is 8.5 m. Not a tree that can be hugged! After admiring this giant, we took the Ratel Nature walk through the forest. The forest is fascinating and quiet. Every now and again one hears the call of a bird or the wind rustling the trees high above. Nothing moves until one spots a black centipede in the path or a dragonfly on a fern leaf. It is a "back to nature experience that can be enjoyed by young and old. The trail has either a yellow route which can be extended with the red route. The yellow route is 2.6km and the red route is 4.2km. We only did the circular yellow route - enough walking for one day now!!!

Marilyn's 60's Diner was our dinner choice for the evening. Being a Monday night it was not at all busy but you just have to visit this venue for the Marilyn Monroe and Elvis stuff covering the walls! Plus the 60's music makes it a very enjoyable outing. The food is nothing special - however our waitress was so very pleasant and made us a gigantic banana split so that we did not have to go hungry. The motto is "you can be thin and wrinkly or you can have a bowl of banana split and fluff that stuff out" So we undid all the good exercise of the day!! Horror of  horrors, I will have to do the Goesa nature walk tomorrow to make up for the indulgence tonight. Can my knees stand it? NO!!!!!

Can anybody tell me how to strangle a frog? Firstly, it's dark outside so you can see where the blighter is, secondly, I do love frogs but not all night long!!!
They have been at whatever they do in the wee hours of the night and I could cheerfully strangle them all. But hey - us city folk don't ever get to hear frogs anymore so I will take their chatter with good grace - who needs sleep anyway?

We did some touring today and then headed off to the Rafters Restaurant at Armagh Country Lodge. Good plate of food, if somewhat over-priced. The food options in Storms River Village are somewhat limited - and they don't seem to bothered about quality and taste. the best meal was at Storms River Mouth.

Maybe we are too fussy? Perhaps that comes of having a "retired from choice" chef in the family?

Anyway, it's all about the experience and this little village is surely the smallest I have ever been too.

Peaceful for sure!

Night night

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Garden Route to Addo Elephant Park - Part 1

Keurbooms River - Near to Plettenberg Bay

The Garden Route of the Western Cape, South Africa is world famous and one of the best attractions in the Cape, other than Cape Town!! Sorry - we are slightly biased as regards our Mother City! Our drive started at about 9.am and traffic was not too heavy given that the school terms have started for the year and the crazy peak holiday season is past. There are a number of good places to stop for breakfast or a snack along the N2 - favourites are the Blue Crane Coffee Shop and  Die Rooi Alwyn (The Red Aloe). The latter is situated amongst a few interesting shops - one selling gorgeously scented candles, interesting goodies and children's items.

Santos Beach. Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is an interesting town (see my "Memories of Mossel Bay" Blog) although perhaps not as well-known  as the other towns on the Garden Route. The history goes back to Bartholemew Dias and the museum complex is well worth a browse. Mossel Bay currently (2012) has 3 Blue Flag beaches and the swimming in these waters is perfect for families as it is safe and the waters are warm. With various activities available, such as Shark Cage Diving, trips around Seal Island or a visit to Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, this town could capture your interest for a few days or a purely lazy week's beach holiday. It remains one of my favourite places for a laid back beach break. The obligatory drive down Marsh Street and around the Point has to take place before we can say good-bye to Mossel Bay and head further down the coast. On our way out we were driving behind a lorry with about 5 workers on the back. One has to assume that they were happily finished work for the day or else truly hammered as the one guy was dancing away to the music on his MP3 Player and nearly fell over every time the lorry turned. Another chap was laughing so heartily that his missing front teeth were most prominent! We passed them further along the highway - still dancing and laughing at me when I took a quick photo!

Further along the N2 you will pass Little Brak, Great Brak, Herold's Bay and a number of holiday places along the coast. If you have the time, a wander into any of these will give you insight into the South African culture of "beach" holidays. Many of the homes will be tightly shut waiting for the next holiday period when the owners will descend with the braai tongs, boerewors and many beers. Retirees also favour the Garden Route for it's tranquillity.

Once past George, you have the option of branching off to Victoria Bay - a well known surfing spot. Just watch out for the rip near to the rocks on the far side of the beach. It's a tiny little place that attracts many day trippers and has a character all of it's own with just 1 road. Perfect for a lazy day or two.

The road now starts to twist and turn until you reach the Wilderness. Do stop here to look at the very long beach which stretches forever. The Touws River runs through the village and is idyllic.

Our first overnight stop is at Wilderness at Moontide Guest House which overlooks the river. It's a perfect spot for a break. The beach beckoned soon after checking in so off we headed to stretch the legs after our drive from Cape Town. Wilderness beach is perfect for long, long beach walks, especially so at low tide. You can walk for miles, inhaling the fresh sea air, greeting the loc als walking their dogs or spotting the strange bits of flotsam and jetsam on the shore. A number of jellyfish had washed ashore and the little creatures feeding on them were quite intent on getting their fill. Rather grim looking actually!

Wilderness is known for being a perfect spot along the coast for paragliding and the Friday afternoon gliders were out catching the thermals above the road. What better way to finish off the week? It' s a gem of a place with the scent of the milkwood trees all round. Such a unique scent - thankfully, milkwood trees are protected and cannot be cut down. Besides the beach, there is a boardwalk along the lagoon, plus a more arduous walk up the Kingfisher Trail. This trail goes up to a waterfall and takes about 3 hours return. It is approx. 13 km and is a great way to blow out the cobwebs or stress of the city. Most of the trail is along a board walk so it can be completed by anybody with a reasonable fitness level.

Moontide has canoes for a leisurely paddle up or down river - for those who prefer just watching others do this, the deck is just the place to enjoy the scenery from the shade! The original home was built in 1928 and hosted many illustrious guests during it's heyday. Fact is often stranger than fiction and a passionate love triangle resulted in the death of  the mistress. Sadly, the house was then abandoned and by the time it was put up for sale it was in serious need of repair. Purchased by Maureen Mansfield, it has been restored, improved and expanded to the current guest house which opened to paying guests in 1994.

Supper was enjoyed at Salina's Restaurant overlooking the beach. I chose tapas thinking it would be light, leaving room for dessert! Well, 3 Thai Style fishcakes, 4 Chicken Satays and roasted peppers were too much although I did manage most of it. James enjoyed a huge plate of calamari. The desserts sounded good so we managed to find some extra space - and they were delicious! With a great view of the ocean and friendly staff, it was a relaxing experience. Unfortunately, it appears that diners the previous day were bothered by smokers on the patio and were apparently told that "smokers also have rights" Really? In South Africa where restaurants are all supposed to be non-smoking? If that had happened to us we would have walked out, never to return!!!

After a hearty breakfast the next morning, we headed off to take some photos and found an every bigger number of  paragliders floating effortlessly above the highway. So if you fancy this idea, try a tandem experience. It looks so effortless and free. At current prices of R550, it's a great way to experience the views over Wilderness - if you dare!

Sedgefield has a Farmers Market called Wild Oats which takes place every Saturday morning. It is so popular that parking is always a problem - get there early and enjoy breakfast before spending all your money. Afterwards you can hire a kayak to explore the lagoon.

Knysna was our next on our agenda to visit a friend who owns and runs "Shoreline Villa" situated near the Heads. What an amazing spot right of the Knysna lagoon. Just gazing at the view would be enough for me to unwind totally. This house is perfect for couples on holiday together or those with children as the house is hired out fully furnished and equipped for a superb holiday experience. At low tide one can walk to Leisure Isle, another gem of a place.

Knysna has many activities to enjoy - our favourite is a visit to Featherbed Nature Reserve. A scenic boat ride across the lagoon takes you across to the Nature Reserve to enjoy amazing views from the Heritage site. Lunch is under the Milkwood Trees and then a stroll down 2.2km path leads you back to the ferry. For those who only want a cruise you can choose from South Africa's only paddle driven vessel or the John Benn or for those seeking more of a thrill, try the rivercat cruise to the heads (weather permitting)

  

After a brisk walk around Leisure Isle, we headed back to "Shoreline Villa" for a much needed icy drink, before driving  back to Moontide for a relaxing few hours on the deck before wandering into the village to eat at "The Girls" Restaurant. This is run by 2 girls - in case you are wondering - and opened in 2007. They have won many awards and it's a cool place to dine with good food, relaxed ambience and a chef (one of the girls!) who takes the time to visit each table. It's a welcome personal touch.

Sadly, we had to leave Moontide the next morning after another great breakfast on the deck.

Next instalment - Wilderness to Storms River.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Cape Town - Muizenberg to St James Walk

Looking for some sea breezes?

Not into strenous hiking?

Then the scenic and mostly flat walk along the path from Muizenberg to St James is just right for you!

One starts at Muizenberg Station - park either side of the railway line - it makes no difference and there is usually amply parking on both sides. During the busy season the parking on the Main Road side is most probably better.

The walk takes in lovely views of Muizenberg beach, the rock pools along the way, fishermen trying their luck or just getting away from their wives, the truly drunken soul who tries to catch a soccer ball from some passing guys and grabs fresh air with both arms three times in a row before falling down, or the friendly "hello' from a passing stranger, makes this a worthwhile walk at all times of the year.

The sea is ever changing so it is as fascinating on a calm and balmy day as it is on a stormy day. Sometimes, during summer, the wind will be howling and then the white foam is churned up to make fascinating patterns of bubbles along the shore line.

St James has a tidal pool and bathing huts so it is VERY popular with the locals during the summer months and you are unlikely to find even a small spot to sit and sunbathe. But don't despair, you can walk further along to Danger Beach where the surfers gather and there is likely to be a spot for you to take a breather.

In winter, you may be lucky to spot the odd whale or two.

Along the road  you can view Rhodes Cottage where Cecil John Rhodes spent his last days or you can visit the Het Posthuys Museum. Some buildings along Main Street are in a state of disrepair whilst other s have been renovated and look stately and gorgeous.

Muizenberg went into decline when all the Jewish familes stopped visiting and the area became very run down and unsightly. There has been a revival of sorts with buildings being done up and some interesting cafes to vist after your walk.

Surfers Corner at the start of the walk is always a popular spot and you can watch the surfers displaying their skills (or lack thereof!) whilst enjoying some coffee or a lunch.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

Tips for going on Holiday.

Going on Holiday?

The excitement of planning the trip is enough to keep one busy for awhile. So many places to go, so many, varied cultures, so much adventure, so many different foods to try - the list is, quite frankly, mind-boggling. Choosing a destination is your number 1 priority then comes the method of travel. Will you go it alone on a self-drive or would you prefer to do an organised tour where all the stress and hassle gets taken out of the equation?

Self-drive or public transport travel, gives one much more freedom - however, you must have a reliable GPS/timetables and you need to know what and where you wish to go. Wasting time whilst overseas is not cost effective unless you are travelling in the same currency, are retired or have unlimited leave from your job. Always make the most of your time abroad even if it just involves sitting on the beach or at the resort. Whatever makes you relaxed and happy, is what it is all about. Having said that you can just relax in one spot, this type of travel will not bring you into contact with the locals, the scenery, the shopping, the various foods available etc. Travel is all about exploring - do it! You won't be sorry. Just living like a local, shopping at the supermarket or eating out at the many restaurants, gives you a feel of the place and it's people.

Tours are great if you wish to see the maximum number of sites within s short space of time, if you are a single traveller not comfortable doing it alone, or whether you just enjoy making new friends of all nationalities. The companies are many and varied - do your research well so that you don't get caught by a fly-by-night Tour Operator.

Cruising appeals to many travellers who are no longer fully mobile - it's a slower paced holiday and you only need to unpack once. A huge bonus for some. Meals are provided plus all the on board entertainment but do take part in the excursions so as to benefit from the countries visited and absorb their cultures.

Browse the Internet, follow the Travel Bloggers, visit your local Travel Agent, talk to friends and family, buy an Atlas - all these things will give you plenty to think about as to where your next holiday will be!

If it is your first time abroad, I can guarantee it will not be your last!

Enjoy the planning!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

10 Reasons to visit Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain from Blouberg Beach

Cape Town is different things to different people - no matter what your interests are in life, you will love Cape Town with it's hugely diverse cultures, it's outstanding natural beauty, the huge variety of culinary experiences, the nightlife, the shopping .......I could go on!

My Favourites:

1 - Table Mountain - our very own Wonder of Nature - it's a must visit whether you hike up or take the scenic route in the cable car!

2 - The V&A Waterfront - this vibey spot is loved by all Capetonians and offers visitors to our shores great restaraunts, world-class shopping, harbour cruises, the Big Wheel and an exciting people watching spot.

3 - Cape Point - it's a beautiful drive and the point is awesome in all weathers.

4 - Blouberg Beach - this remains my favourite for the outstanding views of Table Mountain and the space to take long walks.

5 - Kirstenbosch - the great floral kingdom of the Cape is showcased here and is a must visit.

6 - Theatre on the Bay - a cosy, intimate theatre which offers a variety of shows throughout the year

7 - Kalk Bay for it's quirky shops and interesting harbour.

8 - Boulders, Simonstown to visit the penguins who are such fascinating birds one can watch them for hours.

9 - City Centre for it's Museums, the Fork (Tapas) Restaurant, Grand Daddy Rooftop for drinks, Green Market Square for gifts.

10 - Sea Point Promenade for some exercise and fresh sea air after all the glorious food.

There are countless other reasons why I love my home city - come and see what your favourites will be!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

10 Favourite Memories - World Travel

Music, laughter and special experiences make travel such a unique experience for all of us.

Some of my favourite memories: ( not in any particular order)

1- My first sight of the Grand Canyon from a helicopter - the tears just flowed.

2 - Buying an oil painting of the Eiffel Tower after climbing all the way down this icon of Paris!

3 - Riding the ferries in Sydney Harbour and wishing for the courage to climb Sydney Bridge

4 - Walking Lombard Street in San Francisco, so so very tired after long flight

5 - Trying to escape the black-robed Jewish jewelry traders in Manhattan

6 - Being nearly  ridden over and squashed by a bicycle in Amsterdam

7 -  Stumbling upon a tiny Irish pub, filled with Irish people playing their music - not a tourist in sight.

8 - Eating at a great restaurant in Grundlsee, Austria, dripping wet from the rain - and nobody stared!

9 - My walk/hike up Fox Glacier, New Zealand

10 - Eating Provita with Marmite at the top of the tower in St Marks Square, Venice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

UK - Heathrow to Cape Town - last day in UK

Our last day in UK was spoilt by - guess what - RAIN!!!

Arriving at Heathrow Terminal 5 in the rain was a fit (or maybe not) good-bye to UK. Luggage can only be checked in 3 hours prior to the flight so we had to walk around the terminal about 4 times before being able to check-in our bags. Apparently, the flight is over-booked so we were offered a chance to have another flight. A free flight would have been a bonus but there was no guarentee of this and we would have had to wait around to hear the decision. A jam-packed flight for 11 hours in Economy Class is not looking very appealing right now, especially after the very slow security checks.

Apparently, they are new security checks in place plus training going on so it was SLOW - so slow that my knees are now aching fro standing for over 30 minutes! They just about want one undressed plus I-Pads, Kindles and Laptops must come out of their covers. I though of being bloddy-minded as mine is an Asus not an I-Pad and they don't mention tablets but I thought better of it at the last minute. Did not feel like being locked up!

Whislt the passengers are all checked with a fine tooth comb, one wonders what sort of security checks are done on staff? Are they checked in and out of the airport? One would hope so.

By now feeling very hot and bothered plus extremely irritated with not much time to even browse the shops.

There was a lady with a very tiny baby ahead of me in the queue - much of her stuff was put aside to be checked and she asked politely if they could fast-track her as the baby was hungry but they refused. One would think that other passengers would be OK with a mother and such a small baby - we would have been even though it would have made the wait longer. We felt very sorry for her.

Oh well, a beer should make us feel better and hopefully the flight will be OK.

Bye to UK and good friends - thanks for your hospitality!!!

Our "Betsy" was absolutely brilliant - she was a star and got us everywhere we wanted to be.

The roads in UK are so confusing that a Tom-Tom is a must - don't venture out without one!

BA is pretty good - no problems with staff or the flying skills - however, the plane was so packed there was not a spare seat to be had and the entertainment system was not working correctly.. My restless legs kept me awake all night and even the stretching and walking did not help. Grrr!!! At least I had an isle seat.

Our landing in Cape Town was superb and we exited the plane to ---guess what? BLUE SKIES!

Hello, Cape Town!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

UK - Milestones Hampshire, UK Living History Museum

Milestones is an incredible museum - one of the best I have ever visited.

My photos truly don't do it justice - this is a "must see for yourself" Museum!

Re-live yesteryear - you can even dress the part!  

The fact that Milestones have collected/restored/found so many incredible parts of British history is amazing and deserves to be visited, once, twice or even three times.

See the little boy selling matches - his bare feet open to the cold.

See the bicycle that was used to deliver the goods made by Twinings, the tea and coffee merchants.

Explore the Iron and steel works of Wallace and Stevens.

Visit an old Co-Op - so very different from today's large supermarkets.

Check out the rather sad looking display from the greengrocer - only local produce an only produce in season. Forget about getting those strawberries from overseas, it just did not happen.

The firemen were offered beer to cool them down after fighting a raging fire as the equipment was not as sophisticated as the engines today.
I am sure they did not complain too much - the more beer, the better they could fight the fire!

The saddler had to offer many different types of saddles and bridles and they all hung outside of his window where you could also hitch up your horse.

The Romany Vans cost 800 pounds in the 1800's, whilst one could buy a house for 300 pounds at that time. However, they were always on the move looking for seasonal work so the van suited their lifestyle. The decoration was according to their wealth - the more decorative, the better off the family obviously was. These vans were favoured by the rich as "holiday" homes and it was quite the fashion to own one!

The ironmonger had a conglomeration of goods required in the household and it was a veritable treasure trove.

The jeweller had a very smart shop front to entice buyers into his shop - his lights outside were beautiful and one can imagine the gentry buying their wives some fancy piece of jewelry from this shop.

Just looking at all the weights and measures of those days made me feel quite tired. So many weights and so many different scales - it must have been a nightmare buying anything in a hurry.

The Sweet Shop was full of school kids so we could not even get a look in although they were selling sweets to the public.

An old gramphone shop with a very ancient TV which only worked if it was within a few miles of the broadcasting station. Those houses must have been popular at the time - imagine - "we have TV" - it would have been the talk of the day.

Camera collections, toy collections, old vacuum cleaners, old stoves and fridges - just an incredible experience of yesteryear.

As you head towards the exit, they have a huge collection of amusement arcade games - many of which still work. You put in some new coins and will be given "old" pennies which can be used to play some of the games. We tried some horse jumping, the guillotine man (horrid!) and the palm reading which was fairly accurate or so I like to think!!!

There are a number of Thornycroft vehicles on show - these were made in Basingstoke.

Looking at the curling tongs, one has to wonder what possessed these women to go through such indignities just to look "better"

Apparently all women hated the laundry days so the invention of the washing machine was very much welcomed.

If you are ever in the Basingstoke area, do pay a visit to Milestones - you will be amazed at the collections, the vintage cars and transport of the day plus the time warp displays of the various shops.

AND the Arcade Games that still work!!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

UK - Winchester

Winchester seemed like a great place to visit so off we set with "Betsy" to guide us. Parking was found fairly easily but as we got out of the car, the rain came down. Typical Britain!

Huddled under our coats we spotted The Chesil Rectory, a building which boasted that it was the oldest commercial property in Winchester, dating back to 1425 - 1450. And they advertised lunch! So minding our heads, we ducked into the entrance and came into a charming old pub/restaurant in this wonderfully authentic building with low, black beam ceilings. The building was once known as "cheese" house and is situated at the foot of the road that was, at that time, the only road to London. We chose a table near to the roaring fire where we soon warmed up and could peruse the menu. The restaurant serves dishes made from local Hampshire products and everything was very tasty. A great find and highly recommended for it's 2 AA Rosettes 2012.

Winchester boasts many architectural gems such as the extremely impressive Guildhall and the Winchester cathedral which boasts 1000 years of history and worship. The Town Clock was presented to the city in 1713 following a royal visit and is attached to the old Guildhall where the city's curfew bell has hung since 1361. This is still rung every evening at 20.00 hrs.

The City Bridge was supposedly be ouilt by St Swithun, the 9th century bishop and patron saint of Winchester. The current bridge was built in 1813 and is thought to be on the same site.

The River Itchen flows through the city and there is a path which we did not take as the heavens had opened again by this time.

Winchester is a city with much history and many interesting buildings - it is well worth a full day's exploration.

We loved the sign that told people to leave their dogs behind when visiting the public toilets - they even have 2 rings, set in the wall, to tie up the dogs!

Shops galore if you need some retail therapy.

Unfortunately, rain truly stopped play for us as we did not feel inclined to get totally drenched walking any further so we called it quits and headed back to our parked car to ask "Betsy" to take us home.

Hopefully, tomorrow remains DRY!!!!!!!

We needed to get in some exercise after sitting in the car so set off for a walk around the neighbourhood where we are staying. Luckily, I had the foresight to remind James to take "Betsy" with him, otherwise we would still be wandering around trying to find our way back. The UK roads just cannot go in a straight line - was this to keep the engineers happy, people employed, tar manufacturers in business? It seems that way!

We will indeed miss "Betsy" who has not led us astray in any way:
"Go right on the roundabout, 4th exit, then bear right"
"Go left on the roundabout, 2nd exit"
"Turn around when possible, then go straight for 800 yards, then bear left on the roundabout and take the 1st exit"
Etc Etc - quite a nag she has turned out to be if one does not follow strict instructions.

After our walk, we visited a local pub called Hatchgate. We could have just landed from Mars, the way the 8 or so men standing round the bar, stared at us. It was crazy and I nearly went back to ask them what their problem was! Or is it so unlikely that some strangers would frequent "their" pub? Brits!!!

The Hatchgate is run by Indians so they have two menus - the old English pub menu plus an Indian menu. I opted for a combination of Indian starters with some nan bread - it was just enough and delicious. The others ordered scampi and baked potato - helpings were enormous but all good food. One has to hope that they make a go of their venture, given the strange local guys who guard the bar. At one stage, three younger ladies breezed in and headed straight for the loo. They then joined the guys and one was overheard saying " You can't shag your ex-girl-friends friend" Even the chap appeared embarrassed at that loud outburst. They then promply waltzed outside to go and sit in the Smokers Shed. It takes all sorts, I suppose. 

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!