Chapter Seven - Valentino Harleybear's Last Day in Cape Town

Saturday morning was another sunny one, but with an astonishing site on the Bloubergstrand Beach. Daddy was used to seeing people taking their dogs for walk on the beach, but this was different. He called Mommy Lila over to have a look. The picture shows it all, a lot of Huskies pulling a sled, ala Greenland style. It had Daddy wondering what he had put in his coffee cup this morning. What an amazing place.

Our friends from Knysna, Lyn and Monty, had come to Cape Town for the week-end and we met them at Killarney Race track to watch some classic car and motor cycle racing. There was some interesting machinery on show and the pits were open to the public for all to wander in while all the tune-ups and preparations were going on. The racing was interesting, with Jackie Scheckter, younger generation of the famous Scheckter racers, winning a heat in a very fast Ferrari saloon car, beating Lola's, Ford GT40's, Porsches and various other recognisable cars. The loudest (but slower) heat had Sarel van der Merwe in a 60's Ford Galaxie competing against the likes of a Fairlane, Chevy Impala and several smaller cars.

Valentino in relaxed mode - Big Bay

One hapless contender unfortunately broke down right in front of the spectators stand. Embarrassing. But an interesting day. We left mid day, returning to the flat to begin preparing for the return trip by packing what we could.

We decided to have a sun-downer at one of the Big Bay restaurants, where the views were just as good as from the flat. The friendly atmosphere and everyone's lack of issues with those around them are a pleasure to experience. The tenseness felt when walking around in Durban is totally absent here, as well as the pleasant driving conditions, busy but considerate. Cars stop at pedestrian crossings.....and I never saw anyone go through a red robot. Hooting is seldom heard. Things are just so much more civilised.

Cape Town made a big impression on all of us. The night was on us all too soon, and we discussed our few days here while packing and preparing to leave on Sunday morning. Let it not be felt that this is a perfect city, there was a bus drivers strike one day while we were here, but only partial, some buses ran. ESKOM had it's load shedding effects here as well as in the rest of the country. We are repeatedly told that the winters can be really miserable, wet and cold. Flat and house prices in the better areas are just ridiculous. Overall though, there are many positives, Quality of life principles seem to be higher here than in Durban, as well as work opportunities. There are affordable homes in the suburbs, facilities seem to work better than elsewhere in the country. Superb shopping centres and the top of the list, TWO Harley Dealerships! and a bike shop that sells Victory bikes and has a workshop that works on Harleys near the Bloubergstrand beach.

Tomorrow is the start of the ride back, via Paarl and Route 62.