My shoes view of Table Mountain
Obviously it’s not all work and no play around here, and so yesterday I found myself in “play” mode.
I was summoned to the palace in Blaauwberg on Sunday, and decided that it would be in my best interests if I went through. What a fantastic day! I nearly didn’t make it, after falling asleep watching the Tour de France, after attending a remarkable party on Saturday night.
Blaauwberg actually reminded me of what we sometimes miss in Cape Town. We are always attracted to the usual areas of excess like Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. But little do we know that just opposite the centre of town, we have a delightful area called Blaauwberg!
I never really thought much about it until yesterday, but it’s quite a spectacular place to live. The other areas that I mentioned above are the usual places, and are the places to stay if you want to be close to the jet set. Camps Bay and Clifton and those areas are spectacular, and they are always going to be good places to stay as it is where all the parties happen and where all the best beaches are. But if you want to live a bit away from all the action, and don’t mind being a little further away from all the models and business tycoons, Blaauwberg is quite a safe choice.
I sat on the balcony yesterday enjoying a Weber braai, while I did absolutely nothing! I let the hosts do the cooking and I had a little drink going, we were all watching Sergio Garcia kick away the golf, and we watched a spot of the Tour de France, where once again Michael Rasmussen showed an impressive display of form. I relaxed while watching some guys trying to bodyboard at the beach, about 100 metres away from us. There were also the usual kite boarders further away from us, and the beach there is really popular for kite boarders. You will see the beaches packed every weekend with these people, and I sometimes wonder how no one crashes into anyone else, as it seems like chaos to me.
I also enjoyed some of the people walking past, some of them in VERY good shape. Clearly shaping up already for summer, which is always a good thing.
I had a great view of that mountain of ours, Table Mountain. It’s one of the best views of Table Mountain you will ever see. If I moved my head a little to the right of that, I saw that other place that is apparently quite well known, Robben Island. In addition to all that, it was also relaxing watching various ships come and go, just cruising past us, minding their own business.
Just on the left of the place I was at, there is a brand new set of apartments being built, and they will obviously have the same spectacular views I had, and the apartments at the top will have an absolutely mind blowing view. I want one. I hear that they are selling from R1,4 million for a one bedroom apartment. Quite honestly, I think you would want to pay that for the view alone! It’s brilliant, and it is the most relaxed I have felt in ages. There is something calming about watching ships cruise by and watching the sun dip over the horizon, taking all it’s warmth with it.
As the air cools down you no doubt find yourself lighting a fire inside, turning on the television to some sport, and just chilling with your friends. It’s all very well having the view, but good company is essential.
If I think about it, Blaauwberg is where you go for understated style. I suppose it’s not a place where the young and trendy would go to live, but it is beautiful nonetheless.
You won’t find yourself stressing out too much with views like that. I mean, someone could have told me that my house was burnnig down yesterday, and I probably would have calmly said “Please call back later when you have important news, like aliens invading the earth. I’m trying to pour a drink and see the sun setting with Robben Island perched delicately in the foreground, and I cannot take a call now. Goodbye”
You should have a look at it sometime. The best time is in winter, when it’s cold outside, and you have a fire burning inside, a drink at your side, a braai (Barbecue I suppose, if you are not from South Africa) outside and good friends surrounding you.
You might think to yourself “This is the dream”
And indeed, it is the dream
The sun decided it had better places to go- And left me suddenly
Sean Lloyd
Editor
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