Short holiday after Argus in Cape Town and Jongensfontein

Monday 12 March
We spent a day in Cape Town and we did some touristy things. The walk in the Botanical Gardens was a little tiring because of the previous days’ cycling. After a few ups and downs Helgard bought lunch – cheese, bread and 2 Heinekens. While feeding the birds and ducks pieces of bread, we enjoyed the Heinekens. The beers made us tied and we both had a nap in the sun.



We wanted to go up Table Mountain with the cable car, but I was too nervous. Helgard drove to Llundudno where we watched some surfers.



The evening we had dinner at Campsbay and the walk at Cliffton was very refreshing after dinner.

Tuesday 13 March
After breakfast and chatting to Ester from Astrocats (the B&B where we stayed during our stay in the Cape) it was time to leave for Jongensfontein. We took the scenic route and stopped at a couple of paces along. In Robertson we bought very tasty fish and chips at a local shop. Along the way we also stopped at Bon Courage for a wine tasting session,….highly recommended!



Mavis, the wine tasting sales lady was filling up our glasses very generously. We met a friendly tourist from England that enjoyed the Bon Courage White Muscadel 2005, but the rose champagne (Cap Classique, we may not call it Champagne in South Africa) was my favorite, Helgard enjoyed everything.

We also stopped at Parmalat in Bonnievale to buy some cheese.

Just before sunset we stopped at Jongensfontein, what a beautiful seaside village.
We stayed at FRI-MA-KIN, a friend’s wooden holiday house. Almost every room in the house has a sea few.



Thursday-Sunday 14-17 March
For 2 days our daily activity was breakfast, reading, sleeping, drinking wine, sleeping, eating and sleeping
I think it is the fresh air, relaxing atmosphere of the little village and the sound of the waves that made us relax and sleepy.



While we were walking on the beach the rocky shorelines and rock pools created photo opportunities for Helgard.



The sun and the sea made this a special holiday for me, the road back to Pretoria was very long….

more photos here

Cape Argus Cycle Race 2007

Sunday, March 11th 2007, yes we are late with this post! and Ursula wrote it.

This day is highlighted in my dairy, the 30th Cape Argus cycle race. More than 35 000 cyclist took part in the thrilling event. It was the first time I experienced a race like this, the whole 109km was filled with warm and friendly supporters on the side of the road, and the exceptional natural beauty of the Cape made the race shorter.



Helgard and I are enthusiastic amateurs’ cyclists. We had to get fit and since January friends and family saw us a little bit less, because social time was training or recovery time.

The day before the race all cyclists had to collect there “goodie bags” and race number at the exhibition hall. The exhibition hall was filled with various cycling shops that were selling cycling goods. Helgard thought that good equipment will make the 109km shorter, so he bought a few things; I like his Argus sweater the most. I had a good laugh when he got nervous about the 109km and bought some “energy givers”, he even went back to get some more of the “good stuff”.



The day of the race I was a little nervous, couldn’t even eat my oats that Ester at Aristocats B&B in Bellville specially prepared for us.
We cycled in the OH group and when the sign “OH Loading” appeared I was nervous but very excited, I think the smile on our face is telling a better story.



The two of us cycled together and this made the race even more special because enjoyable moments were shared. When cycling the Argus the natural beauty gets better around every corner. Two thirds of the route runs through the National Park and a World Heritage Site.
The race was not just about the natural beauty; supporters were part of the race, even when they were not cycling. A family put the plastic plash pool on the side of the road, the kids were doing the “braai” and the parents were having a good time while drinking and supporting out of the pool.

Suikerbossie or “Psychobossie” is a though uphill battle. One of the locals sprayed the passing cyclists with a hose pipe, what a cool relief.



One of the race highlights was when I pedaled up Chapman's Peak Drive (or like the signboards on the side of the road “Champions Peak”), it was a long crooked up-hill, but there is no better view than the scenery that greets you for the entire length of Chapman's Peak Drive.

The road to victory was a gentle down ride through Camps Bay and Clifton. We were enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Cape-tonians on the side of the roads.

The race ended in Sea point (or like the signboards was saying “Seerpunt”). For Helgard it was definitely “Seerpoint” because just after the finish line his first words were “where is my Disprins”. I didn’t know that he had the Disprins in his saddlebag, so he took two Disprins to prevent his muscles from solidifying.

Both of us received a medal, one that I’m really proud of. The medal is not big or fantasy it is just a reminders of a good time. I have no doubt that I will back next year!



More photos here