Hermanus whale watching

Rugby was on the agenda and I had to wear my NZ cricketing top to try to even up the stakes of the semi final match against England in the Rugby World Cup. We thought we would walk in to the centre of Hermanus to watch the match and as there was a 10am start for the rugby, we had to have an 8am start for our walk. We soon realised that our proposed route would have taken us through a “black” township, so, on the friendly advice of a passing local motorist, we turned back and took the minibus.
We saw out first whales as we parked in the free clifftop carpark in the centre of Hermanus. At least 6 Southern Right Whales, including a couple of calfs. We had seen most of the anticipated whale antics that the books spoke of in the first five minutes, but continued to watch them for the best part of an hour anyway. It was then time to take ourselves to an appropriate pub with a TV to watch England (sadly) dismantle the once seemingly indestructible All Blacks. My NZ tee shirt did nothing to help the All Blacks and felt a bit too conspicuous as we ate mussels and salads in a town centre restaurant surrounded by hordes of fanatical South African supporters who were happy that they wouldn’t now have to face NZ in the Final.
The cliff top path took us around the bay for a post prandial saunter and gave spectacular views of the bay, though none with whales in them. We were short of coffee, beer wine and braai food, so we headed back home for a top up. Dave and Bob were cooking and corn on the Cob with Boerewors sausages was the result. Not bad for beginners…
Night spent at Oak on Main, 14 Kiewiet Crescent, Sand Bay, Hermanus