Exploring Cape Town

Last year we spent 2 weeks at David’s uncles holiday home. It was a special time of healing for the 5 of us. The house is on a small golf estate set in the beautiful Theewaterskloof. During that trip we decided to come back this year, but during winter. We “booked” our stay early on in the year around events and kid commitments. David’s uncle turned 60 this year and a party was planned a week before our planned arrival. So we moved a few things around to try fit it all. This meant that Jack and I were in Cape Town for a week alone, with a car.

We had such a great week exploring new parts of Cape Town. Usually when we come down, we have limited time in the city and try to see everyone we need to and often default to places we have been before, but love. It was nice to discover a few new places and explore some favourites a little more.

I knew I wanted to keep walking while we were away but one of the ladies in my walking group scared me a little about hiking in Cape Town so I didnt feel brave enough to challenge her stories. Instead Jack and I did a few walks along the Sea Point promenade, which is beautiful and safe. I will also admit I love going to Sea Point for another reason – they have an Off the Gluten Path shop there. I wish they would open up a store in Gauteng. If you are gluten free – imagine a whole bakery and restaurant, all gluten free. Before one of our walks I bought a ready made pie and ate it as we walked – I don’t think I have had a pie in almost 30 years.

It is also lots of fun watching the paragliders land at Sea Point. The weave and circle over head before they land and you can hear the people scream with excitement (or fear).

I met up with some friends at Chardonnay Deli and had the most delicious piece of gluten free carrot cake so I took Jack back the next day because they also had a huge selection of cheese cakes. My photo taking at both these events was dismal.

It was just Jack and I for his birthday and we spent weeks trying to find something to do that wasn’t too expensive, something we hadn’t done before and wasn’t too far our of Cape Town.

Eventually we decided on a walk around the Waterfront, with a stop at the scratch patch, lunch at the Dogs Bollocks and dinner with Kiara at the Sushi Wave. It ended up being such a stunning day.

We discovered parts of the Waterfront we hadn’t been to before including a really amazing little gallery with some of the most beautiful art pieces. It is a different experience visiting a tourist hot spot when it is quiet.

Lunch at the Dogs Bollocks was incredible. Jack declared his pizza the best he has ever had and the whole vibe was unique and such a great experience. I have followed the Cake Canteen on instagram for ages and wanted to treat Jack to one of their cakes slices, so while at lunch we googled where it was in relation to were we where – turned out it was only 500m away!! So after lunch we walked there and go to see a little bit more of Cape Town.

Dinner was just as delicious as lunch and I have no pics of the food because we were so hungry and excited to eat. I love the little random restaurants all over Cape Town that serve incredible food.

The Museum of Illusions was recommended by a few people so I booked for Jack and Kiara but honestly I am not sure it was worth it. It was very busy when we went and they were only busy for about 40 minutes. But I did find a funky little coffee shop next door to sit and write from.

Then after driving around in a circle through Woodstock I finally found the original Off the Gluten Path shop and stocked up for the next leg of our adventure.

I still find the Cape Town roads super confusing but there is adventure in getting lost and Jack and I had fun seeing new suburbs and areas. We were also really spoilt with the weather – it rained the day we arrived and then was gorgeous sunny skies for the rest of the time we were there.