Had a business meeting at the Waterfront - what a wonderful excuse to spend a few hours in the sunshine on the dockside, watching the boats come and go. The Peninsula is still being blasted by the southeaster and Table Mountain is all but obscured from view with its tablecloth falling as if cast carelessly by Van Hunks from his perch on Devil's Peak.
The roadstead (fascinating word for a relatively sheltered place near a shore where ships anchor) is full, vessels straining at anchor as grey-green seas lash their bows. It's easy to understand how so many of the comparatively tiny wooden vessels that once populated this roadstead succumbed to these summer gales. The wrecks literally litter the seabed of Table Bay.
The contrasting stillness as I step through the huge revolving door into the Wharf is a relief as I scratch in my bag for a comb to try and repair the damage done to what passes as a hairstyle - the wreck of the Hesperus is apt, given the surrounding maritime history. The Wharf is bright and airy and nautical, with sweeping staircases reminiscent of bygone days when travel was by sea and white railings and highly polished wood were the order of the day. The vast array of shops provide the ultimate shopping experience for those so inclined and for the rest of us the pleasure of browsing amongst items of beauty that can be enjoyed without feeling the need to buy.
Outside, the flags are shredding in the wind, but tourists and locals alike are braving the elements to soak up the ambience of a working harbour combined with the resort feel of what could best be described as a pearl cradled in the embrace of one of the newest Wonders of the World, our much loved Table Mountain. No surprise that the cable car is safely tucked inside today!
But enough of that. I must hie me down to the dockside, where a pirate ship awaits...
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