Wed 26th October
Robben Island 1pm (industrial action nearly scuppered the trip but we got there). The industrial action which stopped the 3PM sailing also had a picket line in front of the Gateway but everyone was good natured. A little hassle getting on the boat and a 30 minute delay in departure. Once on the island our tour guide loved the sound of her own voice thus we fell behind schedule, result was that our time in the maximum security prison was very short. However the ex political prisoner who took us round the prison was a good guide, giving us a sense of the background the struggle and the conditions in the prison during the 1980's when he was a prisoner for 10 years. Lots of wildlife, Ibis, Penguins and flocks of cormorants, seals,ibis. When we got back there was a continuing dispute on the docks and we feel we were probably taken out by untrained staff which may account for the less than professional day. However we got there which was the main thing.
Thursday 27th October
Got off early to Cape Point. Fantastic coastline all the way and we continually stopped for photos. Chapman’s Peak was out of this world. Stopped for a longer time at Simon's Town for a stroll and a cup of coffee and pork pie. We also stopped just outside of town at Boulders Beach for a stroll to look at the penguins. The next stop was Cape Point itself. Busy busy but still easy to get around. We walked up to the old light and took lots of photos. On the return Howard decided to go down to the Cape of Good Hope as well - where we spotted our first wild beast! Ostrich! Then an eland, followed by a family of baboons, a tortoise and a snake!
(Click on this photo to see it enlarged) 
Claire – we think it is the same ostrich that you saw in 2007! He’s in your photos too!
