Maputo, Mozambique

We heard A LOT of negative  information about Maputo before we arrived.  We were in two minds as to whether to go and take a look around, but after hearing so many negative comments and only one slightly positive, we decided to stay close to port.  

Maputo

This is the presidential candidate who won the Mozambique election in October 2014.

Apparently it was a wise decision according to the feedback from others.

More wildlife.

Weaver birds.  Their nests are made by weaving grass blades. 

The beginning of a new nest. 

A smile from a crocodile.............

before he disappears. 

Entertainment (eye candy)

What can I say.........

 

KwaZulu-Natal

Durban.  We didn't get to see much of Durban. This is pretty much a whirlwind tour, sooooo much to see and so little time.  I succumbed to a quintessential touristy tour to the Valley of 1000 Hills which included A Zulu cultural experience. It was interesting but ohhhhh so touristy.

Travelling again.

Cape Town

BP and I are travelling together again. She has a three month summer break and this could be the last opportunity we have, travelling on an extended break, before she finishes university and goes out into the wide world. This time our first stop is Cape Town. It's our first time in South Africa, or even Africa. We have only been here a couple of days and thanks to a lack of sleep, haven't been doing bucket loads of sightseeing. 

We left Brisbane on January 1st, after being awake to see in the New Year. Not the most intelligent thing to do when you are facing 27 hours of travel. Consequently we both feel like crap on and off and fall asleep at the stupidest hours. 

You will be seeing lots of travel posts and very few sewing  related posts over the next couple of weeks. 

Flying into Cape Town

Lunch on the terrace looking at Table Mountain

We took a day tour on our first full day in Cape Town and tried to see as much as possible with the limited time we have in this beautiful part of the world. 

The brightly painted houses in the Malay quarter. 

Hout Bay

Amazing to see a penguin colony in the suburbs. 

A memorial to a Great Dane who helped soldiers in WWII

Cape Town

The canopy walk at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. 

An amazing space for outdoor summer concerts. Look at the backdrop, stunning. 

Morning fog yesterday, which cleared up during the morning to a sunny but slightly cool day. I am really really loving the lower humidity here, heaven. 

Travel

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know I was away……….again, in July and August. This post is so late, like six months late. I'm hopeless at keeping a diary, not much better at posting on this blog either as you can see, but at least I will have some reference and photos here. 2015 will be my year of getting back into blogging (she says). Let's just see if I can do it. 

I am very blessed to have some really good friends. One in particular, happens to own a house in south west France. This friend was going over there and asked if I would like to go with her. I didn't even have to think about it, I jumped at the chance.  So I spent the last week of July and the first half of August swanning around France.  2014 has well and truly turned into the year of travel for me.

If you are bored seeing photos of France turn away now.

The bridge at Avignon (Pont d'Avignon)

Puissalicon

The view from my room

Beautiful old architectural details

Massive range of wine in the supermarkets

Seafood at the market in Pezenas

Squid and chorizo, yumm

YUM, what more can I say!

Breakfast on the terrace

Beziers

Flower markets at Beziers

Meze

Pezenas

Gorgeous quilting and embroidery shop in Toulouse

Coffee shop in Toulouse

A house in Homps along the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

Where we spent quite a few evenings with a glass of wine, and watching the world go by.