Clearly signposted, the trail cuts back and forth up the side of the mountain behind Simon’s Town, through stunning fynbos in full bloom. African sun birds and long tailed sugar birds were madly busy sucking sweet nectar from the Protea’s. Discarded petals on the trail told us that the baboons had also had their sugar rush satisfied. A relatively steep ascent takes one quickly high above the town and offers amazing vistas towards Cape Town and over False Bay to Hermanus. Being winter we were treated to sightings of whales in the bay. The trail cuts along the ridge of the mountain towards Cape Point and one of the overnight tented camps of the Hoerikwagga trail. A block house en route is a reminder of the distant past, during various wars, when outposts of this nature helped warn of potential invaders .

We enjoyed a delicious picnic in the warm winter sun high above the world. Back at the Guest House we relaxed and chatted to our friendly and informative hosts before walking down to Boulders Beach, the home to the African Jackass penguins. A beautifully laid out walkway and restricted area has allowed the penguins to breed successfully and provided visitors with amazing close ups of these lovely creatures. A short walk to the town square where a life size statue of Just Nuisance guards the curio sellers.

The variety of African artefacts is enough to warm the heart of any shopper. Just sushi (021 786 4340 ), located right next to the curio vendors is arguably the finest sushi restaurant in the Cape. With a mouth watering array of delicacies we ate to our heart’s delight, or is that stomachs delight?

We waddled up the hill, grateful for the short walk home and flopped contentedly into our comfy beds. Another stunning day in South Africa.