Cape Town Part 2 - City, Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront

Some more pictures of Cape Town.

Union Buildings

We then came across this Seagull with a manky foot.  Sick as I am I had to take a picture of it!

We were a bit scared to get cameras out and snap too much as obviously everybody warns you how dangerous it is.  Even though photo opportunities did not come my way much as I spent most my time following Phil into surf shops, so that man with 150 t-shirts can buy some more.

Went up to the Malay quarter in Bo-kaap to go and see the painted houses.  Cape Malay people are South Africa's unique Muslim community, originally drawn from exiles, slaves and prisoners from the Dutch east Indies.

Lovely and colourful...

We then made our way to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront which is said to be the buzzing place in the Cape to go.  Personally I preferred a stroll down Long Street.

Cape Town's high rise buildings from V&A

View of Table Mountain from V&A

We then went on a lovely 3 hour cruise around Table Bay on a Sailboat, a good way to sunburn your legs as we found out.

Back at V&A.  Anybody recognise these SA political figures, past and present?

Ended the day with drive to Bloubergstrand, the place I want my ashes scattered when I die.  I don't think I can ever tire of this breathtaking view.



I mentioned in previous blog about amazing house we had in Table View.  Here are some pics...

Cape Town Part 1 - Simons Town to Chapman\s Peak

Well everyone has been asking for pics, so here goes.

Arrived in Cape Town well Table View to be more specific to an awesome house, ultimate luxury.  So that set us up for a memorable stay in the mother city.

First day decided to go to Simons Town via False Bay and then head back to Cape Town over Chapman’s Peak. 

Simons Town is an old Navy Town but lately much more famous for being home to hundreds of African Penguins at Boulders Beach.

These waters looked so lovely that I fancied diving in there with the penguins. 

We then drove from Simons Town to Noordhoek.  I can remember the wonderful Noordhoek beach from last time.  I also remember that the water was that cold that I could not feel my feet after a short while in it.   So decided to admire it from above.

Noordhoek is also the start of the famous Chapman’s Peak drive which is known as one of the most dangerous mountain roads.  The next few pics show why.

The route is 9km long with 114 curves and finishes in the lovely town of Hout Bay.  Home to the best seafood restaurant ever.

Now for arty pic, I don’t know who this lonesome stranger is but I love how distant this picture looks.

 

My Top 10 Music of the Year

Seeing I don't bother much with the old blogging these days, I thought I would share my Top 10's with you for the year.  Let me know if you agree with any of it.

Happy Christmas Everyone! x

Top 10 Gigs for 2007

1. Brian Houston @ The Musician in Leicester
2. The Crimea @ The Whole Tour
3. Brakes @ The Vic Inn
4. Robin Auld @ The Maze
5. Stephen Fretwell @ The Rescue Rooms
6. The Four Last Things @ Guilfest
7. My Birthday Gig @ Junktion 7 (esp The Warm, Dlugokecki, Eddyfink & Richard Snow  and Inlaws)
8. The Boy Least Likely To @ Barfly Birmingham
9. Alabama 3 (Acoustic) – Rescue Rooms
10. Crowded House @ NEC Birmingham

  
Top 10 Albums for 2007

1. The Crimea – Secrets of the Witching Hour (free download onwww.thecrimea.net)
2. Story One – The Shadow Line
3. Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
4. Lifehouse – Lifehouse
5. Matchbox 20 – Exile on Mainstream
6. Foo Fighters –  Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
7. Bedouin Soundclash – Street Gospels
8. Biffy Clyro – Puzzle
9. Bruce Springsteen – Magic
10. Plain White T's – Every Second Counts

21st October - What are you doing?

Well by now you may or may not know that there is another Charity All-dayer happening.  Of course you know you will get some great music and you also know that you want to come.

Great bands playing and you can read more about them on their respective myspace sites and listen to some tunes.

Tickets are a mere £6 from Rock City box office or any of the bands.  Online they can be purchased from Gigantic and Seetickets.

Just to let you know who is playing....

If you don't come I surely will cry.... 

The Crimea 1/2 June

Ok I really should be getting ready for more pressing business today, but I just cannot get The Crimea  out of my head.

I have done 3 dates of the current tour so far, most recent being last couple of nights.  To say I am buzzing is putting it mildly!!!  It is so great to feel so moved by music again.  Irony is that most the lyrics are quite sad and miserable, but for some reason I find it uplifting - strange I know.

It was so awesome to hear "Someone's Crying" and "Opposite Ends" again and from the new album I like "Weird", "Don't Close your Eyes", Several Thousand Years of Talking Nonsense"....need to see "Raining Planets" live.

I am totally in love with the new album called "Secrets of the Witching Hour" and you can download a FREEEEEE copy on  www.thecrimea.net  So what are you waiting for??  I dare you not to like it!

Even more I dare you to go to a gig and not feel moved.  Davey, Owen, Andrew, Joe and Andy know how to entertain and sheer passion and energy makes this one a must.

Also got myself some crazy new roadbuddies and it sure as hell beats gigging alone.  Thanks Matt, Paul (aka Luke), Chris and of course my mate Tommy!

A selection of videos can be found on my You tube  http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=roadmutha 

"Pterodactyls take on the helicopter gunships"         

"....its not easy being weird...."

See you at the Maze at 4.30pm TODAY!!!!

Mindvox Indie Battle of The Bands Final and Robin Auld

Well there has been 2 amazingly close semi-finals and for those of you who don't know yet the final line up is as follows:

The Sunday Club

The Arcane 

The Bets 

The Black Stone Amplifiers 

Starscreen

Final takes place at The Maze on Sunday, 3rd June and we will be kicking off around 4.30pm.

This also gives you a rare treat of seeing my favourite South African artist of all time.  The amazing Robin Auld will entertain the crowd whilst we count the hundreds of votes :o)  Have a listen and add him as one of your friends...go on make the man feel welcome!!!

But above all make sure you don't miss him.

Disappointment

This blog is probably not going to make any sense to anyone, except perhaps those responsible for my mood.  Sorry I just have to get things off my chest.

What is the best thing to do in life? 

Be cynical about everyone, never learning to trust?  Or give people the benefit of the doubt, only for them to push you aside when you have outlived your usefulness.

You would think I would have learnt by now, especially after the events of last year.

Why are people never as they seem?