So today we left the Strand and headed north (north west?) to Paternoster. We took a slightly convoluted route in order to swing past the Franschhoek Motor Museum. We had passed the place earlier in the week and a quick google had revealed a collection so vast it would be rude not to visit! We duly attended today, en-route, and it was definitely worth the visit. They have 4 large hangers housing the ‘on-show’ part of the collection. The rest are housed elsewhere and we have been told that is you can, the time to visit is when they are changing round what’s on show. Still the collection we saw today was impressive on its own. Everything from a Model T to Ferraris, Bugattis and Jags. There will be an album of some of the best going up later but for now you’ll have to take my word for it, if you’re in this neck of the woods then the Franschhoek Motor Museum is a hidden gem that rates ‘must visit’ in my book. After that it was back in the car for the drive to Paternoster. The drive took us across the top of Cape Town and then headed up the coast through dune country for an hour or so. Paternoster itself is one of the oldest fishing villages on the west coast of the country. From what we’ve seen so far it’s a mixture of really fine sandy beaches and rocky areas where the waves crash ashore. The sea here is definitely the Atlantic, and it’s bloody freezing, at least it was this evening! The origin of the name is unknown but on one old map it’s shown as St, Martins Paternoster. The place is known for being hot and dry, almost Mediterranean, but with high offshore winds. We’re here for the next couple of days before moving on to a half way stop on our way back to Johannesburg but there are several things we’ve marked on the list for while we’re here. The main one, eating. This area is renowned for its Crayfish – the spiny lobster I mentioned in a previous post, so I suspect we’ll be hitting them once or twice while here, especially if they’re not too pricey! There is also a vast variety of sea and birdlife in the area and I’m hoping to spot plenty by paying a visit to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. Also of interest, but I need to find out more information first, is a mention in the welcome pack for the place we’re stopping in of “the West Coast Fossil Park, one of the richest fossil sites in the world.” Apparently the bones of over 200 different species have been discovered there in the last 40 years. They do guided tours so I’m hoping to get on one either tomorrow or Friday. One final note for anyone who didn’t see the pics on Facebook yet. The self-catering cottage we’ve rented is wonderful. Although open plan, it has a massive dining area, the table is awesome, lounge and kitchen. It has 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, which makes the sleeping arrangements nice and easy, and it actually has views to the sea! We sat at the dining table for supper and had fish and chips ZA style. The chips were more non-crispy McDonalds fries than a trad British chip but they were very good. The fish was either snoek or hake. I tried the snoek and I have to say it definitely gave me a moment of homesickness and a longing for a large portion from the local chippy! Still not too long now and I can grab a bag!
