Can't go no further south!

Hard though it was to tear ourselves away from our last "game" experience, we had yet more things to look forward to. Well, at least this saddo, who always wants to go to the highest/furthest/deepest point accessible to him.

So it was we headed for Cape L'Agulas, the Southern most tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans officially meet. (Officially, according to whom, I've no idea.)

Not that you could tell. Unlike in New Zealand, where there was visible evidence of currents meeting each other, the southern tip is along a broad expanse of coastline, so, at least to our eyes, there was no meeting of the currents. That doesn't make it any less impressive though. Gazing to the south the next land one would hit would be Antarctica.

And if you turn round and head north it would take the best part of year to walk to the northern most point. Well, run actually. And only if you were very fit. Which we are not! I understand the record from Cape Gown to Cairo is 318 days, held by Nicholas Bourne. We'll leave that challenge for another day. I understand someone called Keith Boyd is currently somewhere by the South Africa / Zimbabwe border in his attempt to break the record, while trying to raise awareness of African youth involvement in education and politics. What do these two have in common. They are both Brits of course. We do eccentricity well! Good luck Keith.

Cape L'Agulas has had a face lift since we were last there some 14 years ago. An enormous sculpture of a map of Africa in metal and stone, now resides at the spot to allow you to orient yourself, whilst doing silly things like pretending to be standing on top of Kilimanjaro!

Or standing with one foot in each of Indian and Atlantic oceans. Eejit.

Its actually fabulous place and well worth the 318 day walk - ok, 15 minutes from where we parked our car.

The previous day we had left Oudtshoorn for our longest drive of the tour, something close to 350km. But even that was a worthwhile, stopping as we did at quirky fruit farms...

(I might get trouble for posting this one. They are happy, honest!)

...and roadside cafes.

At least one of them is smiling! Andy and Elisa just looking at something odd? Which, to be honest, could have been the owner.

Enjoying the mountain scenery and just whiling away the day not talking much to each other. (I have to give their ears a rest sometimes).

The end of day was at Struisbaai, just short of Cape L'Agulas for a stupendous guest house stay.

With its beautiful views over the Indian Ocean.

And our appointed meeting with Stingrays in Struisbaai Harbour. Another of Andy's research efforts had paid off. I, of course, had no idea they were there.

Fish and chips in the harbour cafe rounded off the day.

And we all went to bed in our luxury guest rooms happy bunnies!

From Struisbaai and Cape L'Agulas we have moved Atlantic side to Hermanus, arguably the whale watching capital of South Africa. But whilst we have seen many out in the bay they have not yet decided to come in close enough to say hello. Mothers and calfs are all out there apparently as it is good protection from predators until the young have grown a bit and are ready for the migration south (or perhaps north - as usual, I haven't paid attention).

But the walk along the headlands at Hermanus is worth it with or without the whales putting on a show. White throated cormorants, bathing in the evening sunlight, since you ask.

Our sea front cottage for two nights, is giving us a chance to have a break from eating out, even if cooking, heating and showering is a bit of a challenge with load shedding (a South African euphemism for planned power cuts), in a place that does not have its own generator.

But this is the view from our living room window, so not all bad!

Tomorrow we hit the winelands in Franschhoek. I shall of course be sacrificing myself in the name of scientific vinicultural investigation. Is it really better than Stellenbosch? Wines of Paarl? Robertson? Whatever, I won't be spitting it out! So expect more drivel, even more meaningless than usual, if that is actually possible. I'll leave you with some pics, mostly from horsing around at Cape L'Agulas.

At the source of the Nile.

Walking to the edge of the world

Take note

Have you spotted the stingray yet?

I want to be alone.

Outside our guest house at Struisbaai. Yep, bit chilly in the evening. Yep, in shorts!

Bye from us, for now.