Oudtshoorn

 

Next stop Oudtshoorn, which is famous for its Ostrich Farms. The day before had been another of those rainy days in Africa. Talking to the hotel owner, Mossel Bay is usually very humid in the summer, but this year the summer has been wetter than normal. Climate change appears to be affecting this part of the world as well. So it was a day of rainy weather sightseeing. First stop, another lighthouse. 

Cape St Blaize lighthouse, built in 1864 overlooks the Indian Ocean. A very windy morning and the waves were crashing into the rocks below. A very satisfying feeling to watch nature at work. 

The Lighthouse is no longer working and is predominately a tourist location, with Coffee and food as a main income. The current lighthouse manager struck up a conversation and he spent 30 minutes telling us about his son’s journey. A very proud dad, with a fascinating story, providing an insight into the way the traditional schools are still the feeding ground for the Springbok rugby team. 

Cape St Blaize Lighthouse

As we left the heavens opened, so the car was a good place to stay dry. Our next stop was the Pinnacle Point Golf Resort, which sits on a headland over looking the ocean about 13 km from Mossel Bay. This is another of those gated communities, with many european “swallows” living there. They arrive in January and leave around March for summer at home. A beautiful location, with house prices at a fraction of an equivalent golf location in Europe. An amazing golf course, rated as one of the top in South Africa. The 9th and 18th greens overlook high cliff side drops to the ocean. The course looks like a tough challenge, especially during a storm. A bucket of balls maybe required to complete 18 holes with this type of weather.

It was our last night at Betty’s Boutique Hotel. We finally figured out that the manager was from Hull Uk. He had developed an accent that was neither Yorkshire or Afrikaans, so it was a surprise when we found out. His in-law’s lives at Pinnacle Point and they had help him setup the hotel business about 4 years ago. A nice little business. 

Then onto Oudtshoorn. Inland and warmer weather. First stop the Cango Caves, which were discovered in 1780. They are a series of large caves which go into the mountain for about a km with amazing rock formations.

        

As we are surrounded by Ostrich farms, it seems appropriate to try Ostrich for dinner tonight. It comes highly recommended. We shall see how we get on. Tonight seems like the best night, as we may feel guilty tomorrow if we visit an Ostrich farm 😆