From our suite
And from the observation car, he was on his own
Breakfast was another multi course event and we heard a chorus of 'happy birthday' and corks popping further down the car.
The landscape was now very different. We had passed for mile and miles of flat veldt to mountains and wine areas such as Hexriver valley. The couple opposite us, in this photo, were from Wales.
The vines were trained in the old Italian canopy style, little seen in Europe now because it is not compatible with mechanical picking.
A major goal for photographers on the train was to get a photo of the train and its two locomotives passing through the countryside. This requires a sharp bend with visibility through the bend not something that happens often. The bend in a pass close to Tulbagh Railway Station was announced 40 mins before and as we arrived there. John had found a rare clear single glazed window and go one good shot. He was then very disappointed as it seemed to be, inexplicably, out of focus. On TomTom he spotted another bend coming up and headed for the observation car and noticed that the kitchen there had a small window that opened. Poking the camera out the window he got a couple of good shots. The photos were still no good. Eventually he discovered that some how the camera had got set to take poor definition pictures - why would anyone want to do that? So, nice photos but they don't blow up.
We saw ostriches by the side of the track a number of times
Reaching civilisation
As we approached Cape Town, we saw our first views of Table Mountain
John had to have a photo of our engines when we reached our destination.
The Blue Train staff had ordered a taxi for us to get to our apartment where we will spend 7 nights. We look out over the V and A waterfront and docks and a large junior school with a red roof.
For the rest of the day, we washed clothes, shopped, slept and then ate in an Italian restaurant, Il Leone, very close to our apartment.
Pat and John on tour