This photo is of the Cape-Dutch-style homestead that was home to the original owner of the Assegaaibosch farm, Wouter Eduard Wium.

In this post from a few days ago, I mentioned that Cape Town's weather is particularly fickle. Days can start off really hot and end with a chilly wind and even rain. Today was no exception to the fickle-rule. After yesterday's heat-wave, today was cloudy with rain... a refreshing break from the summer heat.

Disclaimer: This photo of Table View was not taken today, although the weather looked just like this - we're still a little too preoccupied to be out and about taking photos, so are using up a few of our stock shots.

One of the rugby greats from old, he was arguably the best Springbok coach ever, and has been recognised as one of the world's top rugby administrators. Though not with us anymore, Doc Craven holds a position of great respect in the hearts and minds of South African - indeed even international - rugby supporters.

Still dripping wet in this photo, Ludwig was soon released back onto a nearby tree branch - but only after being given a stern talking-to about not swimming directly after a meal.

Paul Sharpe, you'll be missed by everyone who knew you. You were a good son, a fantastic brother, an adoring husband, a loving father and a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers go with you wherever your journey leads you. Peace be with you.

Paul was taken by a heart attack while playing with his dog after dinner. He leaves his wife and two kids in Sydney, Australia as well as his mom, dad, brother and sister back here in South Africa.

Tips that can save your life:

• Take at least a litre of water per person, as well as warm clothing - no matter how warm it feels when you set out. Cape Town's weather is notoriously changeable.
• Never walk alone on the mountains. Always plan your route with the aid of a map, or else a quick unplanned 1-hour walk could easily turn into a 24-hour sleepover on the mountain - it really is that big.
• Store the Metro Rescue telephone number on your cellphone, in case you encounter difficulty while on the mountain: 0027 21 948 9900 (international) or 021 948 9900 (local).

The High Angle Rescue Team is a team of volunteers organised by Dion Tromp of High Angle Rescue and Access. Chances are good that they'll be the ones to save your life when you end up precariously poised on a narrow ledge. When they do find you, be nice, they are volunteers and they've risked their lives to save yours.

Seeing a "no entry, trespassers will be prosecuted" sign on one of the gravel roads that we believed may have led to our destination we turned around to seek an alternative route. Kerry's Mini soon became a 4x4 Mini as we headed up a rather dubious-looking gravel and sand road. We eventually stopped the car, realising that it would take us no further, and set off on foot.

Huffing and puffing, we reached the top of the hill in what must have been 5 hours (actually only 15 minutes, but it seemed so much longer). The bus (presumably a tour bus) in this photo is seen leaving the hill down the gravel road with the "no entry, trespassers will be prosecuted" sign. Perhaps we should have ignored that sign. ;)

"But it might crawl on me!", Kerry exclaimed with a look of horror creeping over her face.

So, when going for a walk in one of our many nature reserves, be on the lookout for Argiope - you should find at least one or two with which to horrify your partner. :)

When visiting Cape Town you should make a point of visiting Signal Hill; the drive to the top of the hill is spectacular, showing off our city in all its glory.

Note to visitors: Whilst it is very safe during the day, as a local I would be cautious about visiting this remote hilltop at night. I'm sure our friends in the photo made their way to their vehicle and down the hill soon after the sun had set.

Seether, originally a South African heavy-metal band, moved to the United States a few years ago to take the next step in their musical career. Since then they have toured the world gathering thousands of fans along the way. This evening Seether returned to their place of birth for an open-air acoustic concert.

Shaun Morgan's performance was exceptional - his voice is well suited to acoustic renditions of their heavy-metal tracks. The rain that started halfway through the concert only added to the vibe and atmosphere. We were soaked and cold, but absolutely loving it.

I found one of their music videos on YouTube, so if you like guitars with raspy distortion click here and take a look.

Assegaaibosch is filled with indigenous Cape plants (as well as a few 180-year-old British oak trees). We spent quite some time wandering the footpaths under the African sun, and finally rested for half an hour in an ice-cold stream we found running through the reserve.

If you're a keen day-hiker or even a mountain-biker then the Assegaaibosch and Jonkershoek nature reserves should definitely be added to your agenda. I can't believe that today was the first time I'd visited these reserves - they're so close to where I live!

In the short amount of time that we had we managed to find two caches and travelled several roads that I've never seen before. After all the fun I suddenly came to the realisation that I now have two women telling me where to go... ;)

Summerville hosted a GeekDinner event a few months back and we liked it so much that we just had to share it with a few good friends. Isn't the view from inside spectacular? The restaurant overlooks the white sands of Camps Bay beach, and even though we weren't able to get seating on the deck outside, the good food and trendy vibe made for a really good evening out.

Click here to see Summerville from the air in WikiMapia.

Charlie the chameleon came out to smell the flowers today. Most South Africans with a reasonably green garden have at least two or three chameleons lurking. They're quite common to countries with warm climates, although I'm sure that some of you are quite unfamiliar with the chameleon.

Chameleons, with their long elastic-like-fly-catching tongues, are pretty difficult to find - they tend to adapt to the colour of the plant on which they happen to be resting and on top of that move really really slowly.

My mother-in-law is quite nervous of the little things. They're actually quite gentle and totally harmless - so whenever I find one I take it to show her, making as though I had no idea she doesn't like them. :D

It appeared as though many people spent Christmas day at the beach and some had the same idea as we did, to take a walk along the beach in the vain hope of working off some of the food eaten earlier.

Anyway, here's wishing you folk who celebrate Christmas a very blessed and happy day tomorrow. For those who don't celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have as much of a happy and fun-filled day, now that the Christmas mayhem is over. ;)

So, today I'm posting a series of photos, taken a couple of days ago, of one poor penguin at Boulders in Simon's Town. The second wave caught him a little by surprise and he vanished, tumbling beneath the wave.

Kerry-Anne and I don't have kids so we most often have lunch at the closest restaurant that takes our fancy. Now, I guess for the sake of family peace I have to admit that we have two feline children, William and Elizabeth. But, William's in the dog-box at the moment... he pushed the Christmas tree over in the middle of the night. grrrr....

Often thought of as the most scenic coastal road in the Cape peninsula, the drive from Noordhoek to Hout Bay is one recommended to anyone visiting Cape Town.

Note: Chapman's Peak Drive is a toll road costing a mere R24 to use - well worth the money I'd say. :)

Kerry-Anne and I took my mom and dad out for lunch in Simon's Town today. We stopped over at Boulders Beach to watch the African (aka Blackfooted, aka Jackass) Penguins for a while.

The conservation area, part of Table Mountain National Parks, charges a small fee to visit the 3000-strong penguin colony. If you have a half hour to spare then I'd say that the visit is absolutely worth your time.

Click here to see the conservation area on Wikimapia.

Kerry-Anne and I sometimes stop off at Primi for lunch, especially if we're in the mood for salad. They have a pretty good variety of absolutely awesome salads. But, be careful if you intend having salad as a starter. I think you may want to skip the main course - their portions are pretty large.

So, if you're tired of burgers and steak then perhaps consider stopping by Primi for a salad - it's pretty good value for money.

Disclaimer: The only salad that I wouldn't recommend is the Caesar salad. I ordered one a little while ago and was both surprised and disappointed. Apart from the portion being unusually small, it just lacked that usual Primi flair. :( - I was envious of the lovely salad Kerry-Anne was devouring.

If you happen to take a walk along the path, under the dense trees, be on the lookout for mountain bikes speeding along the narrow footpath. They sometimes come upon one with little warning; either leading to a collision or the cyclist landing up off the path, through the thick bush, and into the water. Okay, I haven't actually seen this happen, but it would be amusing wouldn't it?

See The Magic Forest on WikiMapia.

This photo of Olivia the ostrich was taken by Jacques Marneweck just before she blew him a kiss. Ostriches really are funny animals. Thanks, Jacques!

See World of Birds from the air on WikiMapia.

If you're checking this blog in preparation for your visit to our lovely city, then you're about to come across a small bargain. Until the end of January the cableway is offering half-price on return tickets to everyone ascending the mountain after 18h00. At the moment the sun sets at 19h53, so you'll be treated to a spectacle of note as the it sinks below the horizon.

On this special, the cost of a return ticket is R65 for adults and R34 for children (below the age of 18) - so visitors and locals alike, best you make a plan to get your tickets soon!

Please note that this special is not applicable from 24 December to 2 January. :(

See the cableway station from the air on WikiMapia.

This particular road has an exquisite view of Camps Bay, Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles. Don't you think it's a bit of a strange view of Table Mountain? This photo make it look a little like Table Peak... or Table Hill. :)

See Round House Road from the air on WikiMapia.

One of my most memorable times here is the evening that a friend and I walked along the promenade during a heavy storm. Huge waves smashed against the retaining wall with such force that water was thrown high into the air above us, crashing over the railings. It was both scary and loads of fun at the same time.

"Think Bike" is a campaign run by motorbike enthusiasts in an effort to remind drivers of the presence and vulnerability of bikers on the road. Having lost a friend to the negligence of a truck driver, I'm always cautious when there's a bike around.

While I'm a superbike fan myself, as a motorist I love Harleys... they're easy to hear approaching and hardly ever whizz past in a superbike-like blur of colour and sound.

We had dinner at Groot Constantia's Simon's restaurant with a few friends from *Camp this evening.