A month ago today I was celebrating my birthday at the Christian Vision International Conference, held in Cape Town. The day was filled with special moments and a few surprises:
The conference was held at Spier, near Stellenbosch. As well as hotel and conferencing facilities, there are different activities for day visitors, including a cheetah sanctuary. Cubs are raised from rescued adults to help inform and educate visitors about the cheetah's endangered status in many parts of South Africa. On this particular day of our conference it had been arranged that we had a visit from one of the cubs - along with handlers, of course!
This magnificent cat was about seven months old and during the short visit she was not at all fazed by the flash photogrphy, but was fascinated by the a stream of air coming from an overhead vent. I was sitting near the back of the hall so couldn't take very good photos, but it was nevertheless and special treat to see a cheetah so close up.
After our morning meetings, we all set off for an afternoon's sightseeing in Cape Town. Today was to be the first time Andy had actually managed to get up Table Mountain, in nearly three years spent in Cape Town!
This photo was taken in the revolving cable car, as we ascended to the top, but before this we had travelled with around 10 other people squashed into a small lift up to the the cable car station. One of our group decided this was the moment to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me!
It was a clear day, but quite cold and windy as we meandered along the various pathways looking at the view from all sides.
Andy and our friend Charles, from Zambia, overlooking the city...
This plaque describes the inusual phenomenon, called Kaggen's Karos, more commonly known as the 'Tablecloth' cloud which is often seen on Table Mountain. We were glad that it was not covering today, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to visit!
I really liked this view, which shows Lion's Head (the peak) and Signal Hill, the 'lion's back', with Robben Island in the distance...
Later we travelled to Groot Constantia, one of the oldest wine farms in Cape Town for winetasting, a cellar tour and then an evening meal at a restaurant on the farm.
Friends at our table took this photo, which we hadn't realised how colour co-ordinated we were, especially with the King Protea flower!
It was a lovely day and a birthday I will remember for several years to come.
