VPRO Beagle Arrives In Simon's Town

Photos:
1. Stad Amsterdam - (photo from Simon's Town facebook group)
2. VPRO Beagle coming into Simon's Town. (photo courtesy of Moonglow Guest house - facebook image)
3. Beagle in Simon's Town Harbour (found on Flickr)

What an amazing site to see the VPRO Beagle coming into Simon’s Town this morning- Friday 23 May 2010. The international Beagle Project reconstructs Darwin’s 5-year long voyage on H.M.S Beagle in the course of one year, running from September 2009 to June 2010.

Cape Town is the final destination and the last leg of the voyage. The Beagle will be in Simon’s Town until Sunday morning and it is worth heading down to visit this beautiful vessel. She leaves Simon’s Town for Cape Town Waterfront (where she is expected to arrive around 4pm at Jetty 2). Unfortunately the clipper is not open to the public but she is a beautiful sight to see in Simon’s Town harbour. The Simon’s Town Historical Society is hoping to take Sarah Darwin on an historical tour of Simon’s Town. Sarah is on board the VPRO Beagle and is the Great Great Granddaughter of Charles Darwin – who visited Simon’s Town in 1836.

Being the last destination there will be plenty of festivities to celebrate their arrival as well as the end of the Beagle Voyage. On April 25th around 11:30 am, before sailing off to Cape Town, the Clipper will be welcomed into Hout Bay (23 km from Waterfront) with a 6-gun salute from a VOC battery under Chapman's Peak, manned by volunteer gunners in VOC regalia. About 80 Dutch nationals dressed in orange will be witnessing the event from the battery. Upon leaving Hout Bay there will be a second canon salute. At the Waterfront the clipper will be welcomed by a number of vessels and a performance by the famous Capetonian Minstrels.

There are many events planned with the Dutch government and various academic institutions and the Beagle will in Cape Town for approximately one month and relooking at the work that Darwin did in and around Cape Town and the Cape Point Route.

Background on the Voyage of the VPRO Beagle.
The voyage of the HMS Beagle has been described as the most important journey ever made. During his travels, Charles Darwin gathered information and knowledge that would drastically change the way we look at the world. With his book “On the Origin of Species” (1859) Darwin would be the first to explain that life on earth is not created by God, but rather developed by evolution.

To celebrate Charles Darwin’s 200th birth year, and the 150th anniversary of his publication of “On the Origin of Species”, VPRO is running a 35-part series called Beagle: On the future of species. The project reconstructs Darwin’s 5-year long voyage on the HMS Beagle in the course of one year, and makes an attempt to assess where the world stands today in light of Darwin’s evolution theory. Life on earth is under continual change. Is there reason to worry about the future? Can science offer us sufficient answers to some of our most compelling questions? Are we leaving behind an inhabitable world for future generations?

Beagle takes viewers on a journey across magnificent landscapes, vulnerable regions, endangered areas and adventurous locations, stretching from Patagonia to the South Pacific, and from Australia to St. Helena. En route one recurrent question will be asked: “Will the earth survive mankind?”

The VPRO-Beagle ship is an experiment in itself. This three mast sailing ship is rigged with advanced scientific measurement equipment. Scientists from various disciplines and from all over the world execute experiments on board this sailing science lab. The ship also has a built-in TV studio from which parts of the series are produced and broadcast.

Beagle has strong interactive components. All scientific findings made during the journey can be closely watched on VPRO’s Beagle website, and are broadcast by both radio and television; personal journals and video logs about life on board are made by the producers, the sailing crew, and by guests on board. These are updated on a daily basis. The route of the entire voyage can be closely followed by viewers on the internet.

Beagle is a documentary series (2 parts covering a whole year), shedding light on topics ranging from bird migration to slavery, from marine biology to astronomy, and from newly discovered species to extinct tribes. The series is as much a personalized story featuring some of Darwin’s descendents, as an adventurous encounter with today’s avid environmentalists. Darwin’s journey and research in the nineteenth century leads this modern-day, year-long endeavor in its effort to monitor the world in light of the evolution theory in 2009.

These Boots Were Made for Walking …

The sun continues to shine on Cape Town although the onset of winter is waiting in the wings. Cape Point Route recommends getting out into the mountains and making the most of these sunny autumn days. So get those hiking boots out and get on the mountain before it’s hibernation time! Why not try out the 2 day, 1 night Cape Nature Hiking Package for only R460!

The Package involves 2 days guided hiking on the Hoerikwaggo Trail. The Hiking Package includes overnight accommodation in one of the tented camps on the trail. The camps are fully equipped but you do need to supply your own food (although catering options are available)

What is it?
This Cape Nature Hiking package allows you to explore the Table Mountain National Park in the best way possible including fynbos-lined paths, awesome views, interesting animals and plant life and 1 night accommodation in a unique tented camp.

2 Day Hoerikwaggo Trail
“Hoerikwaggo” is a Khoi’san word meaning “mountain in the sea”, which is what the Khoi’san people used to commonly refer to as Table Mountain. The magnificent steep-sided mountain as remained undeveloped above the city of Cape Town – making the Hoerikwaggo Trail and Table Mountain areas perfect for an adventurous and nature-filled hike!
During your 2 day hike, you will be accompanied by a registered and trained tour guide. Entrance fees are included as per the itinerary and 4 litres of water per person per day. Transport, meals, and porters are available on request.

Hoerikwaggo Trail Options
Table Mountain to Orangekloof: 15.4 km (8/9 hours) – 1 day hiking
Simon’s Town to Chapman’s Peak: 23 km (3/4 hours per day) – 2 days hiking
Orange Kloof Trail: 32 km (8/9 hours per day) – 2 days hiking
Slangkop Trail: 33 km (4/5 hours day one, 8/9 hours day 2) – 2 days hiking

Accommodation
After a long days’ hike you arrive at one of the Eco-Friendly Tented Camps that blend into the surroundings with comfortable beds. Each lodge has their own theme, which you will mainly see in the community areas, which are all equipped with fireplaces, braai facilities, and a big kitchen and not to forget – stunning views!

Hoerikwaggo Tented Camps
Orange Kloof above Hout Bay
Silvermine below Noordhoek Peak
Slangkop Point, near Kommetjie Lighthouse

Price
R 460 per person (min 2)

Includes
1 night accommodation
Guided hiking trail
Water daily
Entrance fees

Optional
Fully Catered option: R250 per person per day
Full Day Cape Nature Tour: R700
Additional 2 nights plus Seal Island Cruise & Walk with Baboons: R 2050

Make the most of the last days of summer and get those boots out and start hiking the mountain trails .. after all boots were made for walking! To book this 2 Day Cape Nature Hiking package please click here
For more nature experiences on the Cape Point Route please click here
And if you STILL can't find what you are looking for then Please complete our Personal Planner form and we will advise you on Things to do in the Cape Point region based on your interests.

Tourism Pledges are Coming in

Local businesses have responded with enthusiasm to the campaign launched in the People’s Post to support destination marketing organisation, Cape Point Route, in their bid to raise funds for their attendance at this year’s Indaba Travel Trade Show to be held in Durban in May 2010.

Cape Point Route has been marketing the South Peninsula for 5 years and encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region, rather than passing through on a peninsula day tour. “The response from businesses has been extremely positive”, says Barbara Elshove-Schmidt of Cape Point Route. “It has been encouraging for us that the majority of businesses who have responded to the campaign, know of Cape Point Route and the work we have been doing. They understand that tourism benefits their own businesses – we have spoken to estate agents, supermarkets, linen suppliers, computer companies, banks and even coffee suppliers!”

Since the campaign was launched one week ago, businesses have indicated their support and commitment to the campaign, however not everyone has finalized their budgets to confirm the value of their pledges. “We understand that a pledge is based on a business decision, to receive good return on investment, “says Sally Grierson, also of Cape Point Route. “What has been particularly note-worthy is the interest businesses have shown in terms of the publicity side of the campaign. Pledging for conferencing and corporate getaways is a direct business transaction, however the added value of the campaign is in the form of press coverage, website links and banner advertising in the Cape Point Route newsletter which has a reach of 10 000 consumers”

Mach 1 Security, was the first business to respond to the campaign with a pledge of R2000 for 2 nights B&B at Whale View Manor in Simon’s Town. Manu Choudree of Mach 1 declared, “We have received direct requests from tourism accommodation establishments in the area for guarding services for their guests. Other guest houses use our electronic security services and alarm installations. It made complete sense for us to support the work of Cape Point Route, who bring visitors to the area and as such business to Mach 1”

Longbeach Mall has supported various projects run by Cape Point Route over the past 5 years and had little hesitation in pledging R2,000 for a 2 night B&B getaway at Boulders Beach Lodge. Alana Lochner, marketing manager at Longbeach Mall said, “Longbeach Mall continues to support Cape Point Route Tourism, because we understand the value of their marketing efforts and appreciate the impact that it has on local businesses."

Pick ‘n Pay Fish Hoek have generously given a sponsorship of R5,000 towards the Cape Point Route wine function at Indaba. Pick ‘n Pay offers a full range of party platters for functions and will be providing the food, soft drinks, plates and cutlery for the network function hosted by Cape Point Route at the Indaba Trade Show. Julian Hobson of Pick ‘n Pay Fish Hoek says, “Pick ‘n Pay believes the work done by Cape Point Route is fantastic for the Far South. Area marketing highlights the wonderful place we live in, with all its attractions and activities, and the exposure allows those that don’t live or work here to become aware of our very special place in the world”.

Local business and corporate companies can still make pledges, which will be rewarded with a package of goods, ranging from meal vouchers through to conferences, team-building excursions and accommodation breaks, and a publicity component depending on the value of the pledge. Supporting this tourism campaign is not only a commitment to tourism marketing in the region and a long –term sustainability of regional economy but it is a tangible useful and valuable business transaction.

For more details on corporate packages or to make a pledge, please contact Barbara or Sally from Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or email info@capepointroute.co.za for more details.

South African National Anthem in pictures!

It is almost 50 days to kick off in the 2010 Fifa World Cup Football Tournament. Bafana Bafana will be playing the opening game and we are behind “The Boys” all the way. Cape Point Route realized that singing the South African National Anthem is a major part of the South African pride. The anthem which was put together in 1997 combines 5 different languages, (Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English), so the South African National Anthem might be tricky if you aren’t fluent in all 5 languages! We hope you will all be belting out the South African National Anthem on the 11 June 2010 as Bafana Bafana take on Mexico!

Cape Point Route found this delightful picture story book to help with the pronunciation of the South African National Anthem and whilst the words and translation into English is written below… the stories and pictures make it very easy!

Did You Know?
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Methodist school teacher. It was originally sung as a church hymn but later became an act of political defiance against the apartheid government.

Did You Know?
Die Stem van Suid-Afrika is a poem written by C.J. Langenhoven in 1918 and was set to music by the Reverend Marthinus Lourens de Villiers in 1921. Die Stem was the co-national anthem with God Save the King/Queen from 1936 to 1957, when it became the sole national anthem until 1995.


SA NATIONAL ANTHEM LYRICS {And the English Translation}
(Xhosa) Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika {God [Lord] bless Africa}
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, {May her glory be lifted high}
(Zulu)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu, {Hear our petitions}
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. {God bless us, Your children}

(Sesotho) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, {God we ask You to protect our nation}
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, {Intervene and end all conflicts}
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa, South Afrika - South Afrika. {Protect us, protect our nation, our nation, South Africa - South Africa}

(Afrikaans) Uit die blou van onse hemel, {From the blueness of our skies,}
Uit die diepte van ons see, {From the depths of our oceans,}
Oor ons ewige gebergtes, {Over our everlasting mountain ranges,}
Waar die kranse antwoord gee, {Where the cliffs give answer to our call,}

(English) Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.

Cape Point Route Peninsula tour– Part 2

We live here, we work here and we play here but it is not every day that we put it all together and go on “tour”! Wednesday 14 April, 2010 was quite a special day for Cape Point Route. We gathered a bunch of Cape Point Routers who will be coming up to Durban with us for the Indaba Trade show in May 2010 and we went on a Cape Point Route tour. I have already blogged about our morning session on the False Bay Coastline.

Leaving Simon’s Town we took a leisurely drive towards Cape Point Nature Reserve and past Cape Point Ostrich Farm, through the beautiful Atlantic seaside village of Scarborough and the tiny hamlet of Misty Cliffs, with the gorgeous stretch of Atlantic ocean on our left hand side. Coming along the road, we had incredible views of Slangkoppunt lighthouse – the tallest cast iron lighthouse in South Africa. The lighthouse is a landmark for the town of Kommetjie – which should never be the drive-through town we did on Wednesday!

From Kommetjie, it was a short drive to the nearby peaceful settlement of Masiphumelele, a largely Xhosa speaking community and almost directly opposite you can experience the rich culture of the Ocean View fishing community.

We stopped at Rioja Restaurant (at Solole Game Reserve), for lunch. Solole is no longer open to the public but they do still have some animals (including buffalo – but it is a breeding reserve and not open to the public). Rioja is however and what a delightful meal – melt in your mouth linefish was our main meal, accompanied by the best of Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. We also visited the Barocca Lounge – the onsite bar area which has become extremely popular for it’s Saturday night over 30’s clubbing evenings.

Although it was difficult to leave the serenity of Rioja, we still had the delight of stopping at Sundollar Lodge in Noordhoek, where Sylvia showed off her beautiful garden, solar heated swimming pool and views of the Noordhoek Wetlands. Old –fashioned hospitality is definitely a trademark of Sundollar.

We popped around the corner to Noordhoek Farm Village, which has become the heart and hub of Noordhoek. It was tough timing on our schedule to call in at all the retail shops, visit the Foodbarn Restaurant (and a bonus meeting with chef extraordinaire Franck Dangereaux), see the expanded Foodbarn Bakery and Deli, stop at Café Roux, check out the kids playground, see the 20 bedroom De Noordhoek Hotel and Conference Centre, and stop at the Toad in the Village to taste the new Toad Lager! Not to mention being tempted to have a massage and Barbaros of Southern Routes was hopeful but unsuccessful in getting the vehicle washed at the car wash!

But we had a tight schedule and were reminded once again that is nearly impossible to see and visit the Cape Point Route in one day and that it definitely is worth more than a one night stand. However with more treats lined up we whizzed over to Monkey Valley Resort – where we were escorted up to the exquisite Crowned Eagle – an 8 bedroomed private villa with eclectic mix of African, Victorian and Bali furniture, rim flow swimming pool and private decks all overlooking Noordhoek Beach! Wow! The restaurant manager met us at the top with coffees and snacks and despite the whistle stop visit, we did manage to pop into one of the bed and breakfast units as well. Monkey Valley is probably THE ultimate beach, forest and mountain resort…set in a forest of ancient milkwoods, with accommodation tucked into private alcoves and an on-site restaurant.

Monkey Valley is at the base of Chapman’s Peak Drive and on a perfect Cape Town day it is hard to find anything better than cruising along 9km, 114 curves sandwiched between mountain and sea. I will take up the challenge of finding a more exquisite marine drive anywhere in the world! Chappies (as it is fondly called) does operate as a toll road between Noordhoek and Hout Bay, which was our next destination.

Hout Bay once declared itself as Republic and it’s not hard to see why – wrapped by mountains on 3 sides and an ocean on the other, Hout Bay is a unique seaside village. We headed straight for the Hout Bay Harbour (a buzzing working harbour) to meet Drumbeat Charters who were taking us to Duiker Island (often called Seal Island – so called for the colony of Cape Fur Seals resident on the island). Being on a boat in Hout Bay with the Sentinel mountain presiding over us, fresh sea air and the pleasure of watching the Seals frolic and play was a perfect way to end our Cape Point Route tour. The trip was an easy 45 minutes and what a privilege to be out on the water with amazing people and in an amazing place. Can’t wait to tell the folks at Indaba how incredible our home is!

A special note of thanks to Barbaros of Southern Routes and Brenda and Erica of Cape Suntrek Tours – who shared travel stories and snippets of information along the entire route. They are specialists of the Cape Point Route area and excellent tour operator/guides.

Thanks to everyone for the hospitality and I am proud to be a Cape Point Router!

Bang for Your Tourism buck!

Article in the Peoples Post - Tuesday 13 Apil 2010
Bang For Your Tourism Buck

Help the Cape Point Route campaign to attend the Indaba Travel Trade Show 2010 in Durban! Buy from a range of corporate packages which includes publicity exposure. Pledges by individuals and companies will be rewarded with a package of goods, ranging from meal vouchers through to conferences, team-building excursions and accommodation breaks, depending on the value of the pledge. You win and tourism wins!

Bang for your tourism buck

LOCAL businesses can support much-needed local tourism marketing efforts while gaining bang for their buck in return.

Cape Point Route, in association with People’s Post, has launched a special campaign to help fund its attendance at this year’s Indaba Travel Trade Show in Durban in May. Cape Point Route is a destination marketing organisation that has been marketing tourism in the South Peninsula for more than five years.

Pledges by individuals and companies will be rewarded with a package of goods, ranging from meal vouchers through to conferences, team-building excursions and accommodation breaks, depending on the value of the pledge. So in effect you’ll be making a donation to tourism marketing, while gaining something tangible and very useful in return.

In addition, contributions will be acknowledged in People’s Post, so that readers are made aware of businesses supporting tourism. All pledges will also receive website links and banner advertising in the Cape Point Route newsletter.

Following are some examples of what you could receive for your pledge. However, each sponsorship would be tailor-made according to the company’s requirements.

Pledge R10 000 or more and you will get a getaway for two nights for 10 people at the luxurious and enchanting Villa St James – ideal for a motivational weekend with a team from the office.

Pledge between R6 500 and R9 500 and you will get a half-day conference at Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel or Calders Hotel and Conference Centre for ten people, followed by a half-day team building afternoon for the group with Quantum Adventures, teambuilding experts in the South Peninsula.

Pledge between R3 500 and R5 500 and you will get a half-day conference for ten delegates at De Noordhoek Hotel, with lunch at the Toad in the Village, both at Noordhoek Farm Village. The conference venue offers companies an ideal opportunity to run focus groups or workshops to consolidate their business strategies.

If you pledge between R2 000 and R3 000, you get a three-course meal for ten people at the Fish Hoek Galley Restaurant on Fish Hoek beach.

Personal and SMME pledges ranging from R300 to R2 000 will receive meal vouchers at one of the restaurants on the Cape Point Route, such as the enchanting Rioja in Kommetjie (a recent finalist in the SA Welcome Awards), or one or two nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation at establishments such as Whale View Manor or Boulders Beach Lodge in Simon’s Town, depending on the value of the pledge. Dining out or getting away is an excellent staff incentive and bonus for employees who have excelled.

These packages have been carefully constructed to ensure that companies that sponsor regional marketing receive a return on their investment as well as publicity to key target markets.

Cape Point Route would like to extend their thanks to their tourism partners and suppliers for their commitment to ensuring long term sustainability and economic growth in the area.

To make your pledge, phone Cape Point Route on (021) 782-9356, or email info@capepointroute.co.za to receive the options of corporate packages.

SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

• Up to 3 mentions in the Peoples Post in April 2010 – see below
• Up to 3 Premium banner spots in the Cape Point Route e-newsletter – see below
• Website link to your website on the Cape Point Route website – see below
• Exposure to tourism industry, general public and national and international tourists.
• Associated brand awareness through CPR Campaign.
• Drive business tourism & exposure of the Cape Point Route – long term business benefits
• Creating a healthy business and tourism economy which will benefit additional businesses other than those in the tourism industry and promote regional economic growth.
• Help capture Market share against alternative routes
• Ensure accurate promotion of the area
• Be seen as a company that supports destination marketing.

Cape Point Route on Peninsula tour- Part 1

We live here, we work here and we play here but it is not every day that we put it all together and go on “tour”! Yesterday (Wednesday 14 April, 2010) was quite a special day for Cape Point Route. We gathered a bunch of Cape Point Routers who will be coming up to Durban with us for the Indaba trade show in May 2010 and we went on a Cape Point Route tour.

And what a day it was! Our driver/guide was Barbaros Kotoglu from Southern Routes who offered us his guiding services and vehicle for the day. It was an exquisite Cape Town day and our first stop was Muizenberg where we visited Belinda at Whale Watchers and gazed in awe at the long stretch of Muizenberg beach from the balcony of one of the sea facing units at Whale Watchers. Muizenberg beach was a hive of activity with surfers dashing in and out of the water.

We decided to drive the scenic route to Simon’s Town, travelling over Boyes Drive and through Fish Hoek & Glencairn (where we waved at Calders Hotel and Conference Centre on Fish Hoek Beach front and Southern Right Hotel in Glencairn – we didn’t stop because we visit both properties for other Indaba meetings!) and ended up at Simon’s Town waterfront to visit Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel. We were met by GM Elbe and Conference Manager Gideon and a welcome coffee and muffin for a site inspection. We checked out all the boat departures from Simon's Town waterfront but sadly didn't have time to do a boat trip.

Simon’s Town was buzzing and it turns out that almost all the places we visited in Simon’s Town were bursting at the seems to accommodate SA Navy personnel or contractors. The penguins are not the only reason Simon’ s Town is black and white! From Quayside we went up to the gorgeous Grosvenor and then strolled a short distance up the hill to neighbouring Mariner Guest House. From there is was a stop at Boulders Beach Lodge – where we received warm penguin greetings from Janine and her team. Fruit cocktails and fresh fruit accompanied our visit and we did a dash to look at the feathered black and white friends on Boulders Beach. Our final Simon’s Town stop was Whale View Manor and Spa – the new (ish) spa is fabulous and all in all we can highly recommend any of the Simon’s Town establishments – fantastic views, service, attention to detail and each place has it’s own special and very personal touch. Thank you all for the welcome.

Dolphins in False Bay

Yesterday was a peach of a day in Cape Town – there was no wind, temperature was just right and the sea was perfectly calm. We were treated to a school of dolphins playing happily in Glencairn Bay, Simon's Town. Easy viewing and a good distraction from the office! How lucky we are to be able to watch dolphins playing from our office!

Whilst I was dreaming of being out in False Bay with the dolphins, the dive boys from Pisces Divers next door to us were out in False Bay and supplied us with this photograph of the dolphins. Thanks to Jacques de Vos who took the shot! I’m not sure from the photo which species of dolphins these ones were but common dolphin species in the region include bottlenose dolphins and dusky dolphins. It is not uncommon to see these playful creatures if you are out on a boat trip in False Bay, which you can book through Cape Point Route.

Dolphins are marine mammals and are closely related to whales. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and their friendly nature and playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. Dolphins are social creatures and can live in pods ranging from a dozen individuals to thousands! Their main source of food is fish and squid and dolphins will typically “herd” a school of fish into a group (known as a bait ball), then take turns plowing through the the ball of fish and feed on the stunned fish! One of the most incredible traits of dolphins is their vocalization – whistles, clicks and burst- pulsating sounds. Fascinating and beautiful if you have the luck to hear them communicating. Dolphins have very few natural enemies – only the larger species of shark like the great white shark prey on dolphins.

Did You Know? How did False Bay get its’ name?

False Bay was given its name by pioneering navigators who mistook the vast natural bay for Table Bay when seeking to replenish their supplies. In reality though, False Bay is the largest true bay along the South African coast and is considered to be one of the great bays of the world.

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town, South Africa. Contact us for details or information on the South Peninsula.

Boost tourism in the South Peninsula

Check out the article in the People's Post (False Bay edition) on 06 April 2010. Corporate sponsorship packages with value added benefits are available from Cape Point Route. Businesses and corporates are welcome to contact Barbara or Sally on info@capepointroute.co.za for more details on corporate sponsorship packages to help promote and market the south peninsula.

Sowing the Seeds Music Festival Cape Farmhouse

The Cape Farmhouse on the Cape Point Route is playing host to Sowing the Seeds Music Festival this weekend - Saturday 10th April 2010. The Cape Farmhouse Restaurant is a family-run concern near Scarborough, on route to the Cape Point Nature reserve.

Situated in a sheltered valley and surrounded by old oak trees, Cape Farmhouse offers the unique opportunity for guests to sit under the oaks with the squirrels while enjoying a tasty farm-style meal from our a la carte menu. The 250-year-old farmhouse offers relaxing al fresco dining - or if the weather is unpleasant, indoors in the historic old farm building. On Saturday afternoons they feature outdoor concerts of South African musicians in their FARMHOUSE ROCKS. The Cape Farmhouse is one of Cape Town’s most enjoyed music venues adding personality to any music event with a craft market and art gallery on site as well as food and cash bar.

Sowing the Seeds is an exciting teaser event to give you a taste of what to look forward to at Rocking the Daisies 2010, which will be held on Cloof Wine Estate from 8 – 10 October.

EVENT: Sowing the Seeds
MUSIC: Dirty Skirts, 7th Son, The Little Kings, Circuswing and Funafuji
DATE: Saturday 10 April 8, 2010
TIME: 12 noon – 19h00
TICKETS: R90 pre sales; R100 at the door. (Children under 12 – Free)
BRING: Blankets to sit on
PLEASE DON’T BRING: Illegal substances, alcohol, firearms, weapons, glass, glass bottles, litter, pets.

DIRECTIONS: The Cape Farmhouse is 3km from Scarborough at the bottom of Red Hill – Junction M66 and M65. Click on the Google Earth link for more details.

If you are heading down to the area why not explore Scarborough and do consider staying the night in Scarborough (or nearby Kommetjie) at one of the fine accommodation establishments if you are coming from slightly further afield.
Contact Cape Point Route if you need assistance with accommodation or things to do in and around Scarborough.

Don’t be Fooled – Whale Tales in Glencairn

PICTURES:
1. A real whale tail in False Bay (Photo: Dave Hurwitz)
2. Whale Tail Buoy in Glencairn
3. Another view of the whale tail buoy in Glencairn

It may not be April Fool’s Day but many a resident and visitor to Glencairn has been hooked into what could have been a perfect joke for 1 April 2010. A whale tail has been erected in the bay at Glencairn. Cape Point Route has been hugely entertained over the past few days as cars, buses, walkers and runners in the south peninsula have stopped near Glencairn Beach to gaze at the tail of a whale lobtailing in Glen Bay.

(Lobtailing is the act of a whale lifting its flukes out of the water and then bringing them down onto the surface of the water hard and fast in order to make a loud slap. Large whales tend to lobtail by positioning themselves vertically downwards into the water and then slapping the surface by bending the tail stock).

Whales can be seen in our local waters from as early as May but the peak period is around September and October, hence the surprise to see a whale tail bobbing in the bay in April! What could and has been quite easily mistaken for a real whale is actually a fibreglass whale tail which is meant to guide sailors and yachtsmen during regattas. The tail is in fact a buoy that is used as a race marker during regattas hosted by the False Bay Yacht Club in Simon’s Town. The whale tail buoy is the brainchild of Southern Right Hotel, who sponsored the buoy.

Operational manager at Southern Right Hotel and Boulders Beach Lodge Janine Genade says, “You will always be able to see a whale from the deck of the Southern Right Hotel”. The Whale Tail Buoy was crafted onto a buoy and has been permanently moored, 200 metres from Glencairn beach. Janine Genade said that the Southern Right Hotel prides itself on being involved with unique community projects like this and that is exciting to put a landmark in the ocean. The False Bay Yacht Club manager said that the location of the whale tail buoy will improve the racing courses and add a new dimension to yacht racing.

Whales can also be seen in season on a whale watching boat trip but there are some great marine adventures and boat trips to be had all year round.

Congratulations to the Southern Right Hotel for their innovative marker off the beach in Glencairn – hope the rest of you aren’t fooled! Please let us know if you do see a real whale and book your trip to visit the Cape Point Route in Whale Season (August - November)