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p. 26
Table Mountain from Malay [Country?]
Capt Town from the Docks
p. 27
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14
In the record of the strenuous week I have omitted a lunch given by Mrs. Solly where we m met members of the W. C. T. U. A souvenir was given us containing nice views which I shall use as illustrations of this record of our daily doings. On Sunday I went alone to lunch as all the others were filling engagements elsewhere. I was glad enough to have a quiet hour for letters. These letters were not those I should have been glad to send to my friends, but were those concerning our itinerary.
Monday dawned with the promise of a clear day. The night cap of cloud which had rested over the Lion's Head had been removed by the warm sunshine and by II o'clock th[e] sun was shining bright and clear for the first time during our visit. A drive had been on the program for the week before but the weather prevented it from being carried into effect. It was understood that we should take it when the weather allowed. While we w were at breakfast Mrs. C. De Villiers a Dutched lady telephoned to say that we would go. We first repaired to her house, only a stone'$ throw from the Hotel, at II o'clock to take morning coffee, for that is a custom in South Africa , the Dutch taking coffee and the English tea. If there is any harm in either this country ought to go to ruin. The[y] begin with tea or coffee in bed before they get up. Whether the black fold who bring it get any before they get up, I have not learned At II there is more coffee or tea and of course there was some to be had with the breakfast. At four in the afternoon there is te[a] with bread and butter and cakes. Dinner is at seven. When we had had our coffee, we were loaded into a fine motor car and off we went. We were not prepared for the wonders of th[e] drive. It compares only with the world famous drive from Nice to Monte Carlo, and is about the same length. It was over the Victoria Road which is many parts has been cut out of the mountain side . It sometimes winds in and out around the mountain in so dizzy a way that two members of our party were forced to cover their eyes. The view was a never endi[ng] variety of mountain and sea scapes, the whole being decorated with unfamiliar trees, plan and wild flowers. It is winter and the Cape Towners say it is the worst and coldest mont[h] of the year. But the wild flowers were plentiful and splendid. They are not the nodest varieties we know but bold big flaming things which call for vases. Scarlet was a freque[nt] color. The Calla Lily, called here the Arum Lily grows wild and plentifully. Gladiol[y], fresias and other cultivated things also grow wild. That drive will never be forgottn We passed Kalb Bay, Haut Bay, Sea Point Camp's Bay etc. We visited en route the Government wine farm where experiments are being made to produce the best wine. WE were shown around to the cellars , presses etc. It was a beautiful spot. Later we called at Mrs. Cl Clute'sanother wine farm . It was a beautifully kept vineyard and clean place. She lived in a very old and fine Dutch house. A very wide hall ran from front to rearwith a big drawing room and dining room on one side and a kitchen and other rooms on the other side. The bed rooms were on the second floor. The windows were very large and there was an air of elegance about it all The house was full of old Dutch things and exceedingly well kept. Mrs. Clute had been at Lady Innes Lunch where we had made her acquaintance. She gave usa bag of oranges picked from the tree for us which proved delicious later on. Our last s stop was at Groote Schuur, the house and gardens given by Cecil Rhodes for the residence of the prime minister for the Union when it should take place. It is a beautiful house very large and imposing but impressed me that it was not a house where a woman would like to live. It has large but peculiarly constructed windows with small panes of glass which seem to exclude the light. The whole is surrounded by beautiful grounds and contain a valuable zoological garden. We came back from our tour tired in body, having rode at least 4 miles but our hearts were full of joy in the memory of the beautiful things we ha[d] seen. We all went to bed to rest a bit before the evening. By eight o'clock we had donned our very best fluffy ruffles and went to the City Hall for the reception the Mayor, Sir Frederick Smith gave us. Dr Jacobsand I stood with Sir Frederick and Lady Innes who acted as hostess since Lady Smith was away, and received American fashion. When all had arrived, we entered an adjoining room where we found all the people seated. The Mayor was nervous lest there would be a disagreeable lull between the speeches and refreshments and begged me to speak long. I had only intended saying a few words, but did make quite a long speech. When I finished there was a unanimity of opinion between the speaker and the audience, and that was that it was a poor speech.
p. 28
A bit of the zigzag Victoria road. The picture indicates that it is a short distance only to the beach, but it some places there was a descent of at least 200 ft.
The same view.
p. 29
6.
15.
The farthest point reached from Cape Town As it was winter there were no bathers The white on mountain side is sand
Another view point
The road leading to beach
