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LIFE ON THE RUN - Cape Town
By Dougie Tobutt
After sailing around the world Sir Francis Drake saw the mountains and peninsula of Cape Town and said, “ It’s the fairest Cape of all”.
Four hundred and forty three years later I’m in agreement with him. Cape Town is a fascinating blend of old and new. Within the centre the castles and other historical buildings rub shoulders with the towering skyscrapers and shopping malls. No wonder this place on the tip of South Africa is a magnet to visitors from all corners of the globe.
A ten minute drive to the coast and you have some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, with its white sandy beaches and ragged shore in the background. Few places in the world can offer you mountain hiking and lazing on a beach all in one morning.
Go half an hour drive out of town and you will see stunning countryside and wildlife such as orangutans by the side of the road. Although South Africa was unsuccessful in its application to host the 2004 Olympics, it has left a legacy of new hotels that they built in anticipation. With the massive growth in tourism, the investment has not been wasted.
I could not wait to go up the famous Table Mountain. You can walk up, but I was two days away from running a marathon, so I decided to save my energy and take a cable car. Seven minutes later and I was looking down on a view I can only describe as breathtaking. But it isn’t just the view that makes Table Mountain a special place, the plants and flowers with their cascade of colour were dazzling. The guide informed me that there are over 2500 different plant species and together they constitute one of the six floral kingdoms of the world.
Looking down from the tabletop, I could see a beautiful beach and after referring to my map it turned out to be Clifton Beach, so I decided to go there later. My guide said it was known as Thong Beach but because he had a lisp I thought that it was probably known as Song Beach. When I arrived at my destination I found that it definitely wasn’t Song Beach!! …..even the boys were wearing thongs and I felt out of place with my shorts on! Despite the hot day the sea was near freezing temperature, as I found out when I dipped my big toe in the water.
I found the city quite easy to get around. A lot of the sights are concentrated in a relatively small area, and one morning I explored it on foot, starting with the Castle, which is the oldest surviving building in Cape Town. I saw the impressive Town Hall, which is a bit like Bolton’s own. The Cultural History Museum was next, and from there following the road to the right brought me to St. Georges Cathedral. I then approached Greenmarket Square, one of the most interesting spots in the city, once the home of a famous market, now a free market.
The Townhouse Museum used to be the city watch house (it’s now an Art Gallery). I then turned into Long Street and spotted a Turkish Baths, very similar to the one that we had in Bolton on Great Moor Street many years ago, and I couldn’t resist a visit. The only thing missing from its counterpart was a Tommy throwing cold water over you when you least expected, and giving you Chinese torture which he called massage - bless him! I then needed to replace lost fluids with a cool drink and I was spoiled for choice with the many bars along Long Street. I then completed my journey taking in Company Gardens, The Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.
Having decided to make the most of my last day in this delightful city, I booked to go on a half day coach trip which took in Hout Bay, Simons Town, Cape of Good Hope and Botanic Gardens. We stayed 45 minutes in Hout Bay, which wasn’t long enough. Looking down from the hilltop provided a stunning view of the bay and sweeping beaches, and I would have loved to have explored it more. Simons Town was originally a British Naval Base and in 1957 it was handed back to the South African Navy. It was then off to the Cape of Good Hope.
The receptionist at my hotel had told me that the coach would arrive back from the trip at 3pm. My flight home was at 7pm so that would be enough time to pack my bags and get a taxi to the airport. But now the tour guide was telling me the coach would arrive back at 5pm. I was in trouble! I never got to see the Cape. I was running around frantically trying to get a taxi back to my hotel. My last chance was sharing a taxi with two men wearing ‘Spurs’ shirts, who were on their way back to Cape Town. “Can I share your taxi?” I asked. “As long as you don’t support Manchester United” they said. “Bolton Wanderers” I replied. They took pity on me and I got back to my hotel, packed my belongings and got to the airport with little time to spare! Not exactly how I wanted to end my vacation!
Sometimes you get a vision of paradise when you book a holiday, but when you get there it doesn’t always live up to expectations…….Cape Town delivers!
Dougie Tobutt, Lifecoach, Tobutt Sports / Good Health Therapy Centre
508 Blackburn Rd, Astley Bridge. Bolton BL1 8NW
Tel: 01204 308506
