Overnight Visit to Simonstown

On the way to Simonstown

Approaching Simonstown

Brenda and I caught one of the frequent trains to Simonstown on Thursday morning.  It was an interesting ride, particularly during the second half where the track was impossibly close to the water's edge, giving us wonderful views of the coastline.  The one hour ride was a bargain at an amazingly cheap R14 (about $1.40).

We spent about 2.5 hours exploring the town from the train station at the northern end of the town to the Cheriton Guest House  at the southern end, where we had a booking.  The town lived up to its reputation of being quaint, old world, and very very British, with names like the "The British Hotel" and "Captain Cook Cellars", and there were splendid views of the marina and naval base.  Along one of the brick walls were plaques denoting famous visitors to the town, including Captain Cook and Rudyard Kipling (who visited often).  One interesting plaque denoted the visit of the Confederate ship "Alabama" under Captain (later Admiral) Raphael Semmes in 1863.  Until then I had no idea that the US Civil War had been fought on a global scale. 

After a light lunch overlooking the harbour we made the walk past the naval base up the hill to the Cheriton.  We arrived hot, tired, and early, and were uncertain of the reception that we would get.  We need not have worried.  When Denise came to the door she knew who we were and welcomed us like old friends.  Soon we met her husband Dirk and were then introduced to Margaret, one of the employees, who showed us around.  Every room in the guest house was richly decorated with all sorts of interesting memorabilia, and the view from the upper floor was superb.  Down below the bar below was particularly interesting, and in an adjoining nook was an extensive collection of old cameras.  The selection of beers, wines and nibblies was run on an honor system.

"Protea" Room

Seaforth

Penguin Checking Out Seaforth Restaurant

Brenda Checking Out Desert

Simon's Town Main Drag

Margaret then took us to our room named "Protea" which I was to learn the next day at the naval museum was a survey ship that did 25 years of service in the SA navy.  It was an impeccably decorated room with a nautical theme, which suite my taste very well.  For Brenda there was the bonus of close proximity to the small but lush garden teeming with birds which were new to her.

Orange Breasted Sunbird

Cape Sugarbird

Orange Breasted Sunbird Munching on Australian Bottlebrush

Robert exploring old cemetery

View from Seaforth

FBYC and Naval Base

For dinner we took Margaret's advice and walked down the short hill and across the main road into Seaforth, which offered good coastal walks with plenty of penguins as well as a fine restaurant where we had a great meal overlooking False Bay.

In the morning we had "the works" for breakfast: and "entree" off yoghurt over a medley of fresh fruit followed by a "main course" of eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, juice, and coffee. 

At checkout time we visited Dirk in his office and got into a lively conversation where we described the sailing and the bus tour of Mexico.  I reminded Dirk that there was a bar tab to be paid but he said that it was such a small amount and he had enjoyed our travel tales so much that it was on the house.  Dirk offered to drive us into town but we insisted that we would be OK with the downhill walk.  The Cheriton Guest House more than lived up to its web site (http://www.cheriton.co.za/) and we highly recommend it to any prospective visitor to Simonstown.

And the walk was OK pleasant and interesting.  Brenda headed for the library and other places and I paid a visit to the False Bay Yacht Club where I met Pam who had sent me an email while I was still far out at sea on the way from Brazil.  We talked about the great confusion over the new Customs procedures that had started in November, and she understood why I had been forced to change my plans and go to Cape Town.  During the visit I made the long walk along the outer jetty to get a good look at the entrance, and everything was as I had picture it from the charts and Google maps.

I them met Brenda at noon next to the statue of the dog "Just Nuisance" (that's another story) and soon we were on the train back to Woodstock Station near the Royal Cape Yacht Club, and at 2 PM we were back on the boat, satisfied that we had gotten to know Simonstown reasonably well.