We later spotted them doing the same dance for sunbathers on the beach. Sand went flying as they went through their moves - it was awesome to see the performance.

The building on the other side of the canal is a Protea hotel - wouldn't it be lovely to stay in one of the rooms for a night or two? This isn't a plug for the hotel, I in fact have no idea whether or not it is a nice play to stay - the atmosphere outside was just so quiet, relaxed and serene that I had the impression it would be a great place to stay.

To explain, one of our national highways, the N1, becomes Buitengracht Street. Buitengracht becomes New Church. New Church becomes Kloof Nek Road. Kloof Nek Road becomes Camps Bay Drive. And Camps Bay Drive eventually curves around, and ends at a traffic light facing the white sands of Camps Bay Beach.

Disclaimer: CTDP cannot accept responsibility for the irresistible pizza cravings that you may develop during or after reading this menu.

Apart from going to Moonstruck yesterday, we also briefly visited Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where I photographed this sculpture. The courtyard that leads into the gardens is dotted with many similar sculptures of people, animals and even a very-much-larger-than-life bean pod.

In very un-customary fashion I took a walk with Kerry-Anne through the souvenir shop. We were both quite surprised at the variety of items for sale: the shop had a wide range of really good-quality and unusual souvenirs - not the traditional trinkets that I was expecting. Though perhaps more expensive than other shops, we both felt that their products were actually reasonably priced. In fact, Kerry-Anne seems insistent that I return to buy a whole bunch of things that she loved.

Today was extremely hot and there wasn't a breath of wind in Cape Town tonight. With the exception of cloud cover, it was the perfect night for Moonstruck. The very talented band entertained us with cover songs such as Piano Man, Hey Jude, Brown Eyed Girl, Substitute, Sweet Caroline and a brilliant rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

If you're in Cape Town in February next year, tune your radio in to 567 CapeTalk (Medium Wave, not FM), or listen to them on streaming audio to get details about Moonstruck 2009.

Poor man. ;-)

Contrary to the tone of the article, I really like the plant. I would imagine that the rapid-spreading mat-like structure it forms helps a great deal to prevent the erosion of our sand dunes... and oh, the bright flowers dotted among the deep green leaves are kinda pretty as well.

Now I have to wonder what is Britannia doing in Long Street, Cape Town? I'm pretty sure that this status must have it's origins in the time of British colonial rule of the Cape Colony. If you do happen to know what she's doing in Cape Town, please do let us know.

While being interesting, it's become evident to me that my ability to appreciate art is not as well developed as perhaps it should be. What do you think? Does this appeal to you?

Observatory was considered a "grey" area for years before the abolishment of apartheid. It's always been inhabited by many people of different cultures and colours. Still the same today, Observatory has adopted a New Age atmosphere, evident in the shops lining it's streets. It even has a monthly Holistic Market at the community centre where one can buy items from crystals to didgeridoos.

With the high incidence of divorce, it's great to see older couples still taking walks together on the beach. Our world is a busy one and it's easy to live past one another.

I guess that it won't be easy to tell, but I do wonder how many CTDP readers still go for walks with their partners.

The 9800ha Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is located just outside of Stellenbosch and forms part of the Boland mountain range. One thing that we noticed while walking along the hiking trail was the diversity of the vegetation. While walking the trail, with fynbos pressing in all around, it was apparent how many different species of plants there were within an arm's length. In fact, I've just learned that there are more than 1100 plant species in the reserve.

Even though this reserve is home to the leopard, honey badger, klipspringer, and mongoose - we never saw a single large animal. What we did see was a rather strange and scared lizard (looking much like a dinosaur) and a little water snake.

Incidentally, after reading an article on Cape Nature's website, I discovered that the reserve is home to the Mountain Adder, Puff Adder, Tree Snake and Cape Cobra. I guess I'll have to take more care next time when rushing along the winding paths.

Actually, our security forces work hard to keep our city centre safe. I've heard reports that our CBD is the safest in the country - this I believe is thanks to a modern CCTV system and high police visibility.

Spier is a great place to spend some time relaxing. Picnic baskets and wine can be bought from a shop on the estate and there's a small play-park and stream where kids can play. When visiting Cape Town, do make a point of stopping by at Spier.

Click here to see the aerial photo on WikiMapia.

I once sat in a shopping mall parking lot watching a guard direct vehicles into parking bays. I watched him help drivers reverse out of bays ensuring that they didn't reverse into something or someone. I watched five vehicles leave without giving a nod, a thank-you, or a tip. I wonder how many people realise that many of the guards are refugees waiting for their citizenship; highly educated and qualified; many with Master's and Doctorate degrees... in many cases more educated than most of their clients.

Many people believe that unofficial car guards should not be tipped. Many believe that official ones should be paid by the company employing them - though in most cases this is not the case. My viewpoint is different from this. I'm grateful that there are always three or four guards around to make sure that thugs don't harass Kerry-Anne while she's packing groceries into the car. I'm grateful that they warn me to stop reversing when a toddler runs in behind my car.

Thanks guys - even though you're unappreciated, there are many who value your service. You rock!

Disclaimer: Once in a while we do come across unscrupulous "car guards" who are just out to make a quick buck and have no interest in providing a service. They normally don't have an official bib; these guys I don't tip.

Until a year or so ago I hadn't given the expression a second thought. Then, one day when preparing to visit family in Australia, I thought about it and suddenly realised that I couldn't imagine them saying "Woolworths has sweets for Australia" to mean that they had plenty of sweets...

These bird feeders, which we spotted at Cape Garden Centre, appeared to be hand-made, and cost just R180 each. Kerry-Anne made it very clear to me that when we move into our new home at the end of March, she's going to buy one and hang in one of our trees, so that she can entice the birdies in to entertain our cats. (For the record, our cats don't catch birds, but they do love to lie in the garden and watch them.)

Actually, we came across this inflatable creature just outside Cape Garden Centre (a plant nursery in the northern suburbs), and just in case you were taken in by my newsflash above, let me calm your shaky nerves - it wasn't real. :) In addition to plenty of plants, a few koi ponds, some shops and a restaurant, Cape Garden Centre features a huge playpark for children, with a number of attractions, including Duncan the Dinosaur above.

Click here to see what this green monster has been up to.

Although I'm told that our winter months are better for surfing, I'm pretty sure that the beaches will be filled with many surfers and ever more wannabe surfers.

Long Beach in Kommetjie is a little far from the city, but worth the drive if you're into surfing, bodyboarding, or bodysurfing. Speaking about bodyboarders - a surfer-friend of mine casually told me a little while ago that surfers refer to bodyboarders as speedbumps - heh - so if you're in the water on your bodyboard, just stay way clear of the surfers.

To all of you who hazarded a guess as to what was happening in yesterday's photo: There were a few good guesses, but what I think happened was that he had grabbed his friend's backpack and run off into the waves - to tease him, I suppose. And oh yes, that photo was taken at Small Bay, close to Big Bay in Table View - that would be Robben Island in the background.

On an unrelated note, that's Robben Island that you see in the background. While I'm in the Q&A mood - which beach do you think we were at?

I really hope that the folk that were on top of Table Mountain, watching the sun set, took warm clothing along.

Disclaimer: While the view from the benches and embankment is spectacular, and while it's a lovely place to have drinks, I've never found the food here anything to write home about.

After the memorial service, Kerry-Anne's other brother took her parents and us out for dinner to Leesia's, a Greek restaurant in Rondebosch. The food was superb and the service just as good. Normally we don't like empty restaurants, but for some reason the popular Leesia's was quiet this evening, which turned out to be just what we needed after a fairly tough day.

Now you have to understand, Brackenfell has NEVER been renowned for good restaurants - not food-wise, and not service-wise. Despite the odds, we decided to give them a chance and visited for dinner this evening. Though I guess I shouldn't speak too soon, we both have the feeling that we may have struck upon a gem. The food and service were both excellent; but shhhh.... don't jinx it!

I managed to take a few shots before the appearance of a rather unconvincing security guard, warning me that photos were not permitted. I considered snapping one of him - but figured that that would be just rude. I asked him why photos were not allowed, but alas, this he could not answer.

I was tempted to get annoyed with him, but then sense prevailed. He knew no more than I and was simply doing what his boss had told him to do. I smiled and we parted ways.

I don't think the northern suburbs of Cape Town are very accustomed to tourists. I can only imagine a tour bus stopping at the centre one day. Click, click-click, click. :D