Last weekend I spent a most enjoyable girls’ weekend at our holiday house in Struisbaai so when my hubby suggested going up again to do some necessary chores at the house again on Friday – I thought, why not.   We invited our friends Tony and Sharon to join us and although it was short notice they persuaded a friendly neighbour to look after their cat and as soon as I’d finished school at 3 o’clock we were off.  The weather was awful. It was cold and wet but we were in high spirits – after all it’s better to be miserable in Struisbaai than miserable in Cape Town. We cheerfully handled the traffic in Somerset West, had a clear run over Sir Lowry’s Pass and dashed through intermittent showers before arriving in Struis at 6 o’ clock.    Once we were unpacked and settled we decided to treat ourselves to a meal out at Angelo’s in Agulhas.  It was raining when we arrived and really cold but inside there was an inviting fire which warmed us inside and out.

The menu had a variety of delicious items and it was difficult to make up our minds – but in the end Earl, Tony and Sharon had the prawn and calamari basket.   The only reason I went for a pasta dish was that I eat seafood so often at home that I felt I should have change. Our meals were superb and Tony and Sharon were amazed that such good cuisine could be obtained in a backwater like Cape Agulhas!

We beat the chill by adding an extra duvet to our beds and we all reported a good night’s rest the following morning.   Earl cooked up one of his famous “Early Breakfasts” in the form of delicious omelettes filled with bacon, cheddar, blue cheese and tomato.   Then once we’d had a hot cup of coffee, fed the garden birds and donned our warmest jackets Sharon and I went for a stroll around Struisbaai while the boys went to fetch some provisions from the shop.   We ended up at Struisbaai ‘mall’ and browsed around my friend, Lynn’s shop – South Bound -Lifestyle Gifts.  She’d just returned from the Far East and her stock was wonderful.  She has everything and anything – “I look for stuff that is interesting and that I think will sell,” she told us.  And she certainly does have an eye!   We didn’t have our wallets with us but as we left we found the boys and told them to come and look at what we’d found.   It turned out to be a good day for Lynn – Earl and I bought a bedside cupboard and Tony and Sharon left with two beautiful silver statuettes.

We then took a drive to Arniston and of course did some bird watching on the way.   Sharon and Tony are not birders but enjoy the feathered friends that visit their fynbos garden on the mountainside of Fish Hoek.  We promised not to bore them by stopping for every sparrow and dove.    “And Sharon – I promise there is one shop in Arniston.” I said.   “She has her black belt in shopping,” Tony quipped.   I turned out to be a most productive drive in spite of the intermittent showers and chilly weather.   We saw yellow mongoose frolicking and chasing each other, there was a dead sheep in a field that must have been taken by a jackal or a lynx and a bird of prey was being chased from it by the crows.   A beautiful jackal buzzard flew from its perch in front of us and there were dozens of weavers, sparrows and canaries about.  We also saw lots of blue crane amongst the grazing sheep and the elusive Denham’s bustard made an appearance when we took a detour to Die Mond for a quick walk onto the suspended bridge.   On the way back to the Arniston Road we found a single Southern Black Korhaan.

Blue Crane

Mating Dance

Tony and Sharon on the Bridge – Die Mond

Denham’s Bustard

Southern Black Korhaan

The sea at Arniston was wild and fun to watch, the waves breaking as high as the cliffs.   We drove around and looked at the dunes and the houses and then went for a light lunch of roast vegetable soup and whole-wheat bread at the hotel.  Delicious.  Of course, we had to check out the gift shop too but all Sharon bought were some pretty elastics for her hair.

It is compulsory when visiting this part of the world to do the Southern Tip of Africa – so we dutifully took our guest to Cape Agulhas before going home.   Bravely they stood with smiling faces and chattering teeth as we took their photographs at the tip of the continent! We also showed them the surrounding Agulhas National Park, Suiderstrand and of course the wreck.

Sharon bravely posing at the Southern Tip of Africa

Potpourri Gift and Coffee Shop was our next port of call.  The gatherer instinct was once again satisfied and a cup of coffee consumed.  At five o’clock we were the last patrons to leave.

Thank Goodness for our indoor braai!   Earl lit the fire and we warmed up beside it until it was ready to cook our supper – starter of spiced bacon on a skewer followed by lamb chops, rolls and salad.    Then an early night in our snug little beds.

Sunday Morning dawned without precipitation.   We had buns and tea/coffee for breakfast and then the guys did some maintenance chores.   While they were busy Sharon and I took a long walk around Struisbaai – the harbour, the board walk and the neighbourhood.   Then we went back to Southbound to chat to the other half of Lynn – her husband, Glyn as he wanted to see Earl.  Sharon and I spent a few more cents then it was time to pack up and leave.

Struisbaai Harbour

We took the scenic route home, stopping at The Black Oystercatcher for lunch.   It was a lovely wine estate and a pretty venue indeed. We sat outdoors in the warm sunshine and enjoyed the lovely views.   We all ordered fish cakes, potato wedges and salad.  Big mistake!   The wedges and salad were fine – but the fish cakes were dry. However, we were hungry and we did not complain and they were edible.

The Black Oyster Catcher

We drove home through the picturesque mission station of Elim where the young men are famous for their thatching skills.   Soon after this Earl asked me to drive – he had a pain in his chest – indigestion from the fish cakes we realised.   We stopped at Kleinbaai to look at the harbour and the fishing and shark diving boats.

Shark Diving Boats

Kleinbaai Harbour

Kleinbaai

It was then that Earl realised he needed the loo.   Then again we stopped at a One Stop outside Hermarnus and he was man down till we got home.  Definitely a case of food poisoning.  Sharon, Tony and I were okay – although I also had an upset tummy – but didn’t feel as ill as he did.   He is sleeping peacefully as I write and I’m sure he’ll be fine in the morning.

In spite of Earl’s mishap, it was a great weekend and we all felt as though we’d been away for a week.