We had great time together.
Bill and Lorna had visited Minna's parents, Raija and Ervo, in Finland last week. Raija SMSd us their flight details, and so Minna and I went to meet them at the airport on Thursday afternoon, with the off chance that we might be able to offer them a lift into town. We managed to meet Bill and Lorna at the airport, and then took them to their hotel. We continued to Seija's house for some drinks and went for a dinner at the Peddlars at the Bend restaurant in Constantia. Hille stayed behind to look after the boys, but Seija joined us. We had an altogether wonderful evening.
On the rainy Friday, Bill and Lorna came to University to sound out plans for an exchange program between UWC and Duke University, and to have a look around. The kids and we made it to the South African National Gallery just before its closing time. Minna was stuck at the University, as her car was being serviced. The garage happened to be almost right next to Bellville taxi terminal, which had been the scene of a taxi rivalry shoot-out that afternoon (2 wounded and 40 taxies damaged), and so it took some time for Minna to get her car back.
Saturday was a bit better weather-wise. We picked Hille up and met with Bill and Lorna at the District Six Museum. Mr. Noor was there to give an introduction to this part of Cape Town, an area that was torn down by the apartheid government. It was a fascinating visit. Later, we had lunch at Simon's Restaurant at Groot Constantia, visited the museum at the main building and tasted some of the farm wines. More tasting followed at the Constantia Uitsig Vineyard. We then drove up the mountain to Nord Hoek and back via the Chapman’s Peak Drive for some spectacular views.
Sunday was Lorna and Bill's last day in Cape Town. I drove along to Waterfront to pick them up. We stopped at the Sunday Market to buy some crafts before heading back to Tokai to pick up Minna and the kids. We drove to Boulders to have a look at penguins and their hatchlings, and on to Cape Point for a walk up the hill, and for a spot of lunch. We then had time only for a short walk along the East coast of the Peninsula. For the first time the ground was wet under our feet. We saw bonteboks not far from the road. A few ostriches were browsing calmly not far from the path. A troop of baboons were seen a bit father back. We saw two other baboon troops on road outside the Park. That was more baboons than we'd seen on our previous trips.
It might have been the family friend thing going back a couple of decades, but it was remarkably relaxing and enjoyable to be with Lorna and Bill. I do hope they find a way to come back to Cape Town soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment