Travel Diaries and Journals

Wynberg passed an inn Called Rochester Castle, the roads were very dusty & very uneven. to the left of the road on which we were travelling is a large low tract of ground very Sandy & which appears to have been at one time the bed of the sea. it extends nearly from Table Bay to Simons Bay a distance of nearly 12 miles this is called the Hottentot Ground a few hamlets are occupied by Dutchmen Kaffirs & Hottentots. Scattered over this extent of ground it seems very barren covered with tangled rank grass & a kind of heath some parts of it quite bare & sandy. Several fires were blazing in different parts of the hills around. [ever scored through] the long dry grass & tangled heath bein so dry that the slightest spark serves to kindle into a fire A volume of smoke was seen extending over the summit of Table Mountain doubtless from one of those fires kindled

on the other side the road to Constantia & Wynberg winds round the base of Table Mountain, the Devils Peak & the Lion's Head & Ranges. Constantia appears to stand nearly on the opposite side of Table Mountain from Cape Town. We arrived in Constantia (great) about 12 oclock in the day. The sun was very hot, & as we sat an open carriage I carried an umbrella to keep the heat of the sun off. We got out at Mr. Cloetes wine establishment. Arrived there the Genl. presented his card & we were introduced to his House (Mr. Cloetes). (Ramsay, [written below: & 2 ladies] [written above: late] the Brigade Major) at Calcutta was there, He had come down in the Himalaya on his way to England on Sick leave. in Calcutta he came on board the "Candia" when we were down at

tasting match of the vintage. small glasses were produced of beautiful clear Frontignac. the flavour of which was very fine. We next tried the poutac. An astringent red wine also of very fine flavour. Red & white wine followed. A dry wine in fact An endless variety, but it becomes impossible to fudge of the flavours after tasting one or two kinds. Very fine bunches of grapes were produced although not grown on his vineyard it being a different kind of grape used by the vintners from what is usually eaten. Grapes in Cape Town are very cheap. you get one of the largest bunches for 2d. or 3d. the quantity we have eaten for two or 3 days is enormous. We left Constantia at 2 oclock & drove of to Wynberg over a moor on a very

Uneven road. Several times our carriage was on the point of being upset. [after scored through] A very fine scene presented itsekf here [Simons Bay] to the left & the huge precipitous mountains overlooking it. {{Constantia]] with its vineyards and trees in front & extending a considerable way on the southern side of Table Mountain. We stopped at Rathfelders in Wynberg to Tiff. I met the Brigade Major again & Sir Wm. Wise Commander of the "penelope" at present lying in Simons Bay on her way home from India. We started off for Cape Town about 5 in the evening. A beautiful calm clear evening like one of her finest in England. the heat of the day mellowed down & the cool gentle breeze coming down of the sea. We passed the Wynberg Stage Coach dashing along with its four horses in the old English

style several ladies and gentlemen out walking. Quite different from Calcutta where no one walks out darkness. Cause on where we were four miles from Cape Town & we got to Mrs. Parkes at 1/2 past six in time for dinner. We dined there & the Capt. & I returned on board ship about 9 oclock very much pleased with our days excursion. April 9th to 12th. Nothing particular the last three days. have been on shore some part of each day generally in the evening. We called on the Genl. and Dadson when we went on shore the latter has gone off to live in the Cape isfle bangetts & the former to live at Rathfelders in Wynberg