Home in Sunny Hampshire

On 28th March, 22 people departed Heathrow Some of them had never met and as only 2 had previously visited South Africa most were naturally uncertain as to what lay ahead. A little under 3 weeks later all 22 were back at Heathrow, by now good friends, and keen to have a reunion later in the year. At just after 6 am and after a long 11 hour flight goodbyes were said and we dispersed to the four corners of Hampshire with many memories of a wonderful tour so ably organised for us by Graham And Carolyn of David Bryant Bowls Tours. The tour was a long time in the coming and for a long time it seemed it might not get off the ground but in the end what a great experience we all had

Homeward Bound

The last morning was spent in different ways with most lazing by the pool but three intrepid souls passed away some time by going up to Signal Hill  which had a splendid view down over the World Cup Stadium. At 2.15 as Graham was still eating Spencer took charge of Baggage loading and we left for the Airport at 3pm. Cape Town Airport was shambolic with long queues to check in and most of us had difficulties with getting the staff to recognise we were entitled to an additional allowance for sports equipment but everyone has made it to the Departures Lounge. It looks as if the plane will be full as Jocky and Vera could not get seats together and some passengers were being asked to stay an extra night with the offer of a free return flight to South Africa. Just an hour now until take off and a long night in front of us.

Our Last Full Day

For the last full day everyone had different ideas as to how they wished to spend it. Seven brave souls (only one was a male) set off for Robben Island only to be delayed by over an hour by a protest march and then to be greeted by rough seas as the south westerly was blowing hard. As a result a prominent member of the party was ill – both ways. Still they did it and forever will be able to recount how they visited the prison where former President Mandela was held for 17 years. Another eight tourists decided to do the red bus tour of Cape Town but there was a misunderstanding. They too lost an hour by waiting on the road outside the hotel for the wrong bus! Still once they got on the right bus they thoroughly enjoyed their guided tour of the Mother City. The Waterfront was also a popular destination with some choosing to shop for last minute presents and others choosing to have a last drink in the Ferryman’s whilst listening to that colourful character, Albie Thomas and his band.
By 5pm all were back in the hotel and preparing for the “Farewell Dinner” to be held in the Presidential Suite. We had an excellent meal, the wine flowed and after some short speeches of thanks from the Presidents, prizes were given to Hazel and Martin as the most successful players of the Tour with a very special presentation to our brilliant coach driver Roger who drove us skillfully and smoothly all round the country and for whom nothing was too much trouble. Then it was off to bed with the prospect of having to get up next morning and do the packing!

The Cape Point Tour

Everyone was up early this morning as we had to fit in the Cape Point Tour before playing at Meadowridge. We said our farewells to Carolyn, who was heading home for a family commitment, and left the hotel at 8.15am and with guide Andre headed out through the select resorts of Clifton and Camps Bay and along the Atlantic Coast past Llandudno before travelling over the spectacular and scenic Chapmans Peak Pass. We arrived at Cape Point in cloud and though most went up on the funicular railway and some even climbed to the top the lighthouse itself was hard to discerne. We did, however see the Baboons jumping into cars and stealing food.  We then drove on to the Cape of Good Hope where we all formed up for the obligatory photograph in front of the sign. By now the south westerly – the Cape Doctor- was blowing hard and we were soon back on the coach travelling to the Penguin colony at Bolders. On through Simonstown – a Royal Navy base until 1956 - where we heard the story of Able Seaman Just Nuisance, a dog, we arrived at Meadowridge for our afternoon game at about 1.15pm. Here we had a good lunch with our hosts before going out on the green and endeavouring to cope with the vagaries of the Cape Doctor. The match was played in a great spirit but sadly we lost by our heaviest score of the tour with only President Hazel’s team recording a win. Leaving the club at 6.30pm we quickly sped back to the Hotel and tonight, after a long day, no one felt like venturing out.

Winelands Tour

This morning we set off on a tour to the Cape Winelands, travelling first towards the Airport. The Cape Flats with their shanty towns have changed considerably in the last 2 years with many of the settlements having been raised to the ground in order to avoid giving World Cup visitor’s a poor perception of the Country as they first drove into Cape Town. Beyond the airport there are, however, still many many shacks before you drive into the highly cultivated winelands. Our first port of call was Stellenbosch, a beautiful old Cape Dutch style town and also the home of South Africa’s oldest University. After a quick tour we carried on to Franschhoek (or French Quarter) where the French Huguenots settled and where there is an impressive Huguenot Memorial and Museum.

We spent an hour or so walking the town with its up market boutiques and restaurants before heading off to the Boschendale Wine Estate where we partook in a wine tasting and then all sat down in the open air in warm sunshine and enjoyed a splendid four course picnic. After lunch we headed back to the hotel arriving about 3.30pm and most then sunbathed before some headed into the Waterfront for the evening. The four unaccompanied ladies, Hazel, Sheila, Audrey and Ann, all went on the Cape Town equivalent of the “Eye” whilst others went to the Ferrymans Inn, the most famous pub in Cape Town

Constantia

Tuesday morning was a free one. Some skipped breakfast and had a lie in. Kay went on a solo trip to the Waterfront where she found a “Serge Blanco” shop and Ann, who was unwell yesterday, went up Table Mountain. The rest just walked around the local shops or walked the seafront or even sat by the pool. Eventually at 12 noon we all met up and Roger drove us out the plush suburb of Constantia where the likes of Mark Thatcher and Lord Spencer have homes. The club here has three greens and their facilities are excellent with the Ladies’ changing rooms being better than most clubs at home. We were welcomed by President Nicky and Captain of the Day Eddie and were soon sitting down with their members to a lunch at which most tourists had their first experience of the South African Dish Baboutie. Well refreshed it was time to change and indulge in another international battle

It was a very enjoyable game and we managed to restrict our hosts to the lowest aggregate score, 71, of any game we have played but sadly we won on only one rink  and our total of 54 was not good enough. Still it was a great experience playing in the shadows of the mountains and at the end we shared more food and drinks with our very hospitable hosts. At 80p for a Famous Grouse it was difficult to drag some away but we did get back to the hotel and after showering etc most of the party went to the Waterfront for the evening.

Cape Town First Day

A relatively early start as we were taken by Graham into the Waterfront and shown the sights. It was a beautiful morning and with Table Mountain shimmering in the sunlight most of the party decided to take taxis to the Cable Car Station and go up to the summit. It was busy as there was a cruise ship in port but we did not have to wait too long before we were in the car and walking round the mountain top. We had good views down to the Cape of Good Hope and across Cape Bay to Robben Island and beyond. After a couple of hours on the top, where most of us were able to observe families of Dassies, we headed back to the hotel, where, after the long previous day, most decided to relax by the pool. That evening all had the option to be driven by Roger into the Waterfront but most opted out, as they thought it would be busy as there was a Neil Diamond concert in the City. In the event the Waterfront was relatively quiet and the five who ventured in, enjoyed a fabulous meal at “the Bahia”, Cape Town’s top fish restaurant