When the Wind Blows - Fly a Kite

The Cape Town south-easterly wind has been blasting the Cape Point Route and whilst it feels a little wild we mustn't forget the cleansing nature of the wind that blows the smog from Cape Town. It's one of the reasons we have amongst the cleanest air in the world - particularly at Cape Point Nature Reserve itself - fresh air is a guarantee!

BUT - if the wind is blowing what does one do?
I have just looked out of my office window at Glencairn beach to see a windsurfer having the best time in the wind - flying with speed across the white water, jumping and flipping. Watching a show like this is better than Television!

Head down to Scarborough beach which is a lovely little beach and more suited to those who like watching the sea than those who like people watching. On a windy Cape Town day however, Scarborough beach is heaven for kite sufers and the specatacle will often draw a crowd of supporters. If you want to give Kitesurfing a try - you can book lessons through Cape Point Route and try balancing board and sail in Muizenberg.

Needless to say if the wind blows then sails are up. Wednesday evenings are sailing night at False Bay Yacht Club in Simon's Town. If you head down to the club then you can often get one of the crews to take you out into False Bay.

Windy days often bring white water on one side of the Cape Point Route coastline and a blissfully calm ocean on the other side of the Cape Peninsula. One of the best activities when the wind blows is to go scuba diving. The local operators know the conditions and adapt the dive according to the conditions, leaving you free to enjoy the magic of the underwater world.

Hiking can be another fabulous windy day activity - with countless hiking routes on the Cape Point Route mountains - many are in kloofs and protected from the wind. Again we suggest using an experienced hiking guide recommended by Cape Point Route.

Golfing can be a challenge in windy conditions but tightening up your skills in all weather conditions can only improve your game. Try one of the Cape Point Route golf courses for a real challenge on a windy day!

If in doubt, stop in the quaint and bohemian Kalk Bay and browse the museums, art galleries and stores in this charming fishing village. Simon's Town boasts 4 museums so plenty of indoor discoveries to be made in the naval town. The penguin colony at Boulders Beach is one of the most wind free zones on the False Bay Coastline and the good news is that the penguins are always there. or pop down to Noordhoek Farm Village which is one of the most sheltered spots on the Cape Point Route and pop into the shops or one of the 3 restaurants for a sheltered meal! Close by is the new Cape Point Vineyards tasting room where you can sample the award winning wines produced by the Cape Point Vineyards estate.

And if all else fails - take a walk on the wild side - let the wind blow the cobwebs from your hair as you walk on one of the crisp beaches and if in doubt TAKE A KITE!

Cape Point Route is proud to feature a new company on our website. Zizamele Ceramics are live on our BUY IT, shopping page with some cool photos and interesting information.

Zizamele Ceramics is about making art that makes a difference. Not only to the buyer but to the lives of the sellers and the artists too. Zizamele Ceramics is an SMME that trains previously unemployed (and often previously destitute) artists in ceramic creation, life skills and business management. Located on the corner of Chasmay & Kommetjie Rd in Sunnydale - Zizamele is open Monday to Friday from 08h30 - 16h30 and on weekends by appointment only.

While South Africa has no shortage of extremely talented artists, the challenge lies in finding ways for them to use these raw skills to create a better life and a sustainable income. This is where Zizamele comes in.

Experience It
Visitors may watch and engage with a group of previously unemployed artists who have created a successful business creating and selling export-quality ceramics. You may even pick up a bargain or two! Products include everything fom Bambanani bowls to tealight candle -holders, soccer inspired products and candlestick holders.

Zizamele artists create highly sought after and collectable ceramic pieces that can now be found in homes, offices and galleries around the world.
Buyers of Zizamele’s award-winning pieces range from the Office of the Premier of the Western Cape to gift shops around South Africa and is increasingly exporting to international stores and galleries.

Argus Cycle Tour –Road Closures on the Cape Point Route

CYCLE TOUR PICTURES COURTESY OF JACQUES MARAIS

It’s COUNTDOWN to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour Race Day on Sunday 14 March 2010!
Cape Point Route wishes all the cyclists a safe ride. We hope it’s not too hot or too windy and wish for perfect conditions on Race Day! Cape Point Route encourages the citizens of Cape Town to get out on the road to cheer and support all 30 000 cyclists. Not only will your support help the cyclists but it creates the warm welcome that Cape Town is becoming known for sharing. Supporting the cyclists is a fun day out and there will be some celebrity spotting this year as well. Lance Armstrong, Gabriella Sabatini (Previously 3rd ranked women’s tennis player); Hugo Porta (Argentian Rugby Player) and our own local celebs – Bob Skinstad, Francois Pienaar, Makhaya Ntini amongst others will be participating in the race so keep your eyes peeled for the stars!

The Cycle Tour is about so much more than just riding on race day. Cape Town welcomes all visitors and encourages them to get out and enjoy the offerings, activities and attractions that Cape Town has to offer. The Cape Point Route runs from Muizenberg on the False Bay Coastline, down to Cape Point and up the Atlantic coastline to Hout Bay – thus forming a major portion of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour route. We encourage cyclists and supporters to explore the area before or after the race and take advantage of the coastal towns Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town, Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek and Hout Bay and all the activities on offer, in addition to the sightseeing!

As with any major event there will be some interruptions to normal traffic conditions and we provide you with a list of the road closures on the Cape Point Route so you can plan ahead. The Cape Point Route is almost entirely closed to vehicular traffic on Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour Race Day, however there are some alternative routes and methods of transport.

Try the scenic train journey along the False Bay Coastline. One of the most beautiful train journeys will also get you to the towns of Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn and Simon’s Town. For a different experience you could catch the train to Kalk Bay, then get the water taxi to Simon’s Town (which leaves every half past the hour from Kalk Bay and costs R100 for a single one way or R150 for a single return trip – return trips every hour on the hour from Simon’s Town) and you could get the train to head north when the day is over.

Please be aware that there are road works on the Main Rd (M4) between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay hence the Cycle Tour route will be travelling over Boyes Drive.

On the other coastline, access to Noordhoek at Noordhoek Farm Village is possible if one travels along the M42 from Constantia, past Tokai forest. Turn right onto Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) and first right onto Silvermine Road once you are “over the mountain”. Turn right into Village lane and wind your way down the leafy lane to the entrance gates for Noordhoek Farm Village on your left hand side for one of the best viewing spots on the route.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Tokai, Lakeside, Muizenberg, False Bay Coast to Cape Point, Scarborough

• 06h15 – 12h15 Main Road (M4) NB: Northbound & Southbound
• 06h15 – 12h30 Steenberg Road to Boyes Drive, Boyes Drive to Clairvaux Road
• 06h15 – 12h50 Clairvaux Road to Fish Hoek Traffic Circle
• 06h30 – 13h00 Fish Hoek Traffic Circle to Glen Road, Glencairn
• 06h30 – 13h15 Glen Road to Simon’s Town
• 06h45 – 14h30 Simon’s Town to entrance of Cape Point Nature Reserve
• 07h00 – 14h30 Entrance of Cape Point Nature Reserve (M4) to Perdekloof (M65)
• 07h00 – 15h00 Perdekloof to Soetwater (Sweet Water)

Cape Point, Scarborough, Kommetjie, Ocean View

• 06h45 – 15h00 Slangkop Road (M82), Soetwater to Kommetjie Road (M65)

Kommetjie, Ocean View, Masiphumelele

• 06h45 – 15h30 Kommetjie Road (M65), Slangkop Road to Glencairn Expressway (M6)

Noordhoek, Sun Valley

• 06h45 – 15h30 Ou Kaapse Weg Ext. (M64), Kommetjie Road (M65) to Noordhoek Road (M6)

Noordhoek, Sun Valley

• 06h45 – 16h00 Noordhoek Road (M6), Ou Kaapse Weg Ext. (M64) to base of Chapman’s Peak Drive

Noordhoek, Hout Bay

• 06h45 – 16h30 Chapman’s Peak Drive (M6), Noordhoek Road (M6) to Princess Road

Hout Bay, Llandudno

• 07h00 – 17h00 Princess Street (M90), Chapman’s Peak Drive to Victoria Avenue (M6) Hout Bay

Hout Bay, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Bakoven

• 07h00 – 17h15 Victoria Road (M6) Northbound and Southbound, Princess Road (M90) Hout Bay to Camps Bay

We will be supplying a list of the best viewing spots on the Cape Point Route but if there are any questions or you need advice on what to do and where to go on the Cape Peninsula, please visit www.capepointroute.co.za or call 021 782 9356

It's Navy Festival time again!

The South African Navy once again opens its doors to the people of South Africa to come and be part of this fun-filled festival in Simon’s Town on 05-07 March 2010 at the East Dockyard.
Entrance to the festival is free and gates will open daily at 10am until 6pm. There will be various events in the main arena that both young and old will find entertaining. This year the German Navy will also be part of the festivities.
Here are some of the standard attractions to look forward to during the festival
• South African Navy ships and submarines including the German Naval Ships will be open for public viewing.
• Tug rides
• Flea Market
• Children’s activities
The following events will take place in the Arena area
• Gun Run Display
• Navy Band performance
• Fire Fighting Display Competition
• Naval Dog Display
• Mast Display
• SA Navy Precision Drill
• The Sea Cadets Precision Drill
• Izivunguvungu Youth Band
There will be various live displays such as:
• Ship boarding display by the Maritime Reaction Squadron;
• Lynx & Oryx Helicopters display;
• Live cannon firings;
• South African Navy diving display;
• Tug ballet; and
• Silver Falcons.
The following major events will also take place during Navy festival
05 March 20:00 Dry Dock Concert at (Free Entry)
06 March 09:00 Right of Entry Parade through Simon’s Town
06 March 17:45 Navy Choir performance in SAS SIMONSBERG Cinema (Free Entry)
06 March 20:00 Night Gunnery Shoot from Lower North Gun Battery
07 March 17:20 - 18:00 Retreat Ceremony

For direct Enquiries regarding the SA Navy Festival Please contact Sub-Lieutenant Leverne Benjamin on (021) 787 4620

For more information on Simon’s Town or where to stay in or near Simon’s Town please contact Cape Point Route. We look forward to welcoming you to Simon’s Town.

Bobsforgood Foundation

Heart Global & Cape Point Route are giving you the latest update into the fantastic new fun-raising and social event to hit Cape Town today (Monday 15th February). Bob Skinstad will be entertaining all as he gives up 2 weeks of his hectic schedule to campaign on behalf of the 7.5 million school children in South Africa that do not have shoes. Bob will be actively raising funds with your help for his ‘bobsforgood foundation’ which addresses this under valued social problem. heart are the champions behind the management and organization of the whole campaign.

bobsforgood was born out of the need to give pride and dignity to South African children who currently go to school barefoot. Bob saw an opportunity to provide full leather school shoes to disadvantaged children with a view to restoring their confidence and pride. Bob has taken it upon himself to launch an array of fun packed, fun-raising and interactive events all under the one campaign called ‘Walk This Way’. With your help and a little work Bob can make sure that children who need shoes go to school how they should – protected from the harsh African terrain and with a sense of dignity.

Listen to KFM from 8am on Monday to reveal the event's antics! Bob will live in a make shift jail cell for 5 nights at the V&A Waterfront’s Barrow Court from Monday 15th February to 20th February. Everyone is welcome to meet Bob, make a difference, have fun, win excellent prizes, meet Bob’s passionate team and learn more about the social space in South Africa. There is something in store each day for everyone! The aim of the ‘jail break’ is to raise as much funding as possible, so we can reach out and benefit the 5000 neediest children in the Cape.

Get involved! Do Good. Make that little bit of difference to restore the faith in 7.5million South African children. It's easy to give your bit. Visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org and donate securely online (bank details also on website to do a quick EFT). Not got internet? Call Bob's passionate staff on 0861 00 BOBS or why not come meet Bob in person and give him your pledge at the V&A Waterfront. Bob will personally call anyone who donates R5000 or more so make sure you supply Bob with your details!

Bob will be released at 10am on Saturday morning by Gerhard Pieterse, aka jail4bail. After a farewell speech at the Waterfront’s Amphitheatre, Bob will commence a community walk from the Waterfront to Newlands stadium. Everyone is welcome to join the walk to the JP Naude supporters club if you don’t have a ticket to the game. We fully encourage fancy dress, corporate colours, sports gear and anything that makes us look as colourful as the bobsforgood logo!

From Sunday 21st Bob begins the epic journey across the Western Cape visiting the neediest schools, making our donations with the public funds raised and of course meeting as many people as possible on our way! Bob needs as much funds raised to ensure we meet the needs of 4000 of the Cape's poorest children. Bob wants to shoe them all but he needs your help! For a full schedule of where we will be on each day please visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org

We return to Cape Town on Saturday 27th February after 2 huge donations in Paarl and Worcester where Bob will join the hundreds of rugby fans at Canal Walk food court to watch the Super 14s at 5pm.

The tour finale will happen on Sunday 28th February where Bob will lead happy drivers from Noordhoek Farm Village at 10am on a Peninsula tour heading back to the Waterfront. The tour is completely free to anyone who would like to join and is being organized by the magic of Sally Grierson of the Cape Point Route. Expect quirky events, lots of laughter, visits to some of the gorgeous attractions on the way and with the end of the campaign being at the Waterfront, grab a lovely lunch or come see Bob give his final speech in the Amphitheatre.

For extensive information on all the events please visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org
The site goes live Monday 8am!

If you want to get involved or simply get in touch, please contact Claire anytime on 021 442 9628 or 072 523 7282 or email claire@heartglobal.org

On behalf of Bob Skinstad thanks so much for any contribution you may make.

Romance on the Cape Point Route - sunset spots!

Weather is gorgeous, love is in the air and we think the having a perfect view spot to watch the sun set is one of the most romantic things to do on the Cape Point Route - so here our some of our hottest tips.

We do recommend visiting one of the local delis on the Cape Point Route to organise a private picnic basket and taking your loved one to spot for some wining and dining with views to die for and sunsets right over the ocean. If you are in Noordhoek - pop into the Foodbarn Deli at Noordhoek Farm village. In Hout Bay try Deli Delish or Scarecrows, In Kommetjie the organic farmstall at Imhoff Farm has wonderful home made, home grown produce. If you are near Cape Point - the newly revamped food Store has some fantastic deli products and take-aways for your picnic. And what's a deli if you haven't visited Olympia Cafe and Deli in Kalk Bay.

Picnic in hand, head for your spot and settle in. The sun sets on the Atlantic Seaboard and with a combination of mountain and sea as the backdrop and the view, you just can't get more romantic when trying to find a secluded romantic venue for sunset. We always recommend going HIGH!
Great locations include:
* Scarborough & Misty Cliffs - both have a wild edge to them but very secluded.
* Kommetjie - either head to the top of the Slangkoppunt Lighthouse for one of the best views on the Cape Point Route. Unfortunately you can't stay at the top for the actual sunset but walk across the road and up towards the Rubbi Chapel for some quiet space and beautiful viewing.
* Noordhoek - you can't beat the beach - the long, white, sandy space with sea and sky surrounding you!
* Chapman's Peak Drive - this remarkable road has to have the best view over Noordhoek Beach and you can view all the way to the lighthouse in Kommetjie! If you are on the Hout Bay side, stop at any of the picnic spots or the viewpoint at the top for glorious panoramas of Hout Bay and the Sentinal.

If you are on the False Bay side, you don't see the sun set but the glow in the sky, and pink hues and stunning views won't disappoint! Boyes Drive overlooking Muizenberg and Hout Bay win the award but heading up any of the hills above Fish Hoek, Glencairn or Simons' Town will do equally well. Drive as high as you can and there are numerous mountain paths that will have you alone on the mountainside in a few steps.

For More romantic ideas - contact Cape Point Route for our Valentines' specials.

Baboons on the Cape Point Route Matter

BABOONS ON THE CAPE POINT ROUTE: Published in CAPE UNPLUGGED January 2010
By Sally Grierson

Many visitors to the Cape Point Route will be excited to see baboons as they travel the scenic route from Simons Town to Cape Point. The antics of baboons entertain and delight tourists, and it is easy to understand the fascination our furry cousins hold – but unsuspecting visitors should be warned that the baboons of Cape Point have been taught some very bad behaviour – from the very visitors who find them so amazing.

Since the 1930’s, baboons along this scenic route have been recipients of food handed out by people en route to the famous Cape Point. The intelligent and opportunistic baboons have come to associate vehicles and bags with easy food rewards and have become skilled at opening car doors and grabbing bags.

But while head-on confrontations with baboons can be frightening, these curious creatures also have a smart, sensitive side to them, which is most clearly displayed when they are at ease in their natural environment, away from urban influences.

For baboons, life in the troop is full of drama – and to the observer this dynamic has the quality of a soap opera. The females are quick to take umbrage to perceived slights, yet equally fascinated by the babies of their friends. Quarrels flare up and die down with no grudges held, and the contented sighs and sporadic grunts as communication resumes are an intriguing indication of socialisation happening between troop members.

Baboons spend almost equal amounts of time grooming and resting as they do foraging for food. As they make use of a great variety of plants, bulbs, seed – and even insects – they have to work quite hard in order to meet their nutritional requirements.

Sadly, the future of these interesting creatures is not assured. Development on the Cape Point Route has mushroomed in recent years, causing ongoing human encroachment on wilderness areas. This has led to continual clashes between baboons and humans and high mortality rates for the baboons. Current statistics suggest there may not be a viable baboon troop left in the region within a decade.

But the Baboon Monitor Project may change this bleak outlook. Started 10 years ago, the initiative has considerably reduced the conflicts between primates over the past eight years by keeping baboons out of villages for roughly 85% of days. With the ongoing involvement of committed baboon monitors, the people of Cape Town may yet find a path to peaceful co-existence with our furry cousins.

FACT BOX:

Baboon Matters offers a once in a life time opportunity as their unique walking tours take you to visit baboons. The experienced guides ensure your safety at all times, whilst you have the amazing chance to learn more about the baboons of Good Hope.

The walking tours are suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness – but booking is essential as the groups are limited to just six people at a time. The Baboon Matters “Walking with Baboons" tours have been rated as a world class experience, and everyone who participates leaves with a great understanding and appreciation of the baboon families who have roamed the Cape Point Route for centuries.

Contact Baboon Matters on: 021 785 7493 or email baboonmatters@cybersmart.co.za

For information on any accommodation in the area, activities or regional attractions please contact Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit www.capepointroute.co.za