Back in the UK

I trust that you have noticed that I have been quiet since before Christmas. It was due to circumstances outside of my control. In the middle of the Eastern Cape internet is not as common place as we have it here in the UK.

The draught is now over and I am back UK soil where you don’t have to balance on the edge of the balcony to get a proper internet signal. Getting straight back into the swing of things with work, exercise and loved ones the day after landing brought some challenges.

The first of which was the weather; jumping from a the lovely tropical 29 degrees of South Africa to the freezing London, no wait the snow that started falling the week I got in!!! Thankfully no illness followed this drastic climate change and I was back in at work the next day. Here came the next shock, using the underground, as if cramming onto the tube system is not bad enough they also decided to put raise the fare by 4, 2%. There goes my morning Starbucks treat.

The first weeks back I have found myself not only not wanting to buy cloths but even food, because I am still converting to Rands and anything more than £1 seems extortionate. One cannot convert if you want any normal sense of nutrition, as for R50 you could have a nice meal out and here that would give you £3,40 to work with...that amount you cannot even get from zone 1 to 4.

With all that said London does offer convenience of every sort, getting from A to B is much easier and there are many more options to choose from. All of which come with a price tag attached.

Skater skirt

This is my take on the skirt everyone will wear in summer 2013.

Zonnebloem Graffiti

This stunning piece is the face of Ons Plek, (http://www.onsplek.org.za/?page_id=701)that aids girls that have a hard life and enables them to get a better future. They opened their doors in 1988 and is the only residencial child and youth care centre in Cape Town.

The staff are really friendly and the work they do so inspiring.

Graffiti under the bridge

There are some great pieces of street art around the world. Capturing this piece under the bridge by Buitenkant Street in Cape Town is mearly one of many in this beautiful city.

Summer nails

Summer colour for the hands all I need is a cocktail in my hand. Well it's been lunch...

Silver stars: Atkinson's Antique's

Stepping out first thing this morning to go acquire a set of jewellery I spotted on a visit to Long Street on Saturday.

The little place I got them is Atkinson's Antiques, 021 4243726, 213/215 Long Street, Cape Town.

Waterfront

This is the venue area I have visited most while in Cape Town, for the most part it is the most easily assessable shopping with parking; it is clean, safe and a great experience.  Every time get there I feel like I am cheating my Cape Town by going to this tourist pit, but yesterday I got it. It's a blazing Saturday,  Capetonian's and tourists are out in droves. We got our under roof parking and head in. It's the simplest task to get every thing you need from clothes to a barber shop(http://www.englishshavingshop.com/).

Outside there is live music being performed and just a wonderful chilled atmosphere. You see we were not here to shop but to take in the day. Which consisted of a walk along the harbour and yacht and people watching.

 The area offer's some great craft in the Craft market and just above the parking lot next to the center you have a scratch patch with more that enough crystals to choose from. There are boat cruises and stunning sculptures made by local artists. Yes a tourists heaven but even for locals a good way to spend a few hours.