Pringle Bay: Open or Closed for Baboons?

Weekend Breakaway to Pringle Bay

 

Do you sometimes have the feeling you would just like to escape for a weekend, maybe just to relax and unwind or even to do some fun activities in a new environment? You start to Google for local places, not too far away that you don’t end up driving more than relaxing but neither too near, so you really get the holiday feeling? However, you find that you stuck for ideas and not sure what to type into the search engine because more often than not, one does not realise the potential of the small towns surrounding the area you live in. You hear the names but you probably think, “That small town? Can’t possibly be anything happening there.”

If you only take the chance, you will be pleasantly surprised as I was on my weekend breakaway to Pringle Bay. The amount of activities and things to do are endless and there is something for all tastes and ages.

Departing from Cape Town after work on Friday we comfortable reached Pringle Bay in less than 2 hours. Leaving us enough time to whip up a supper and unwind with a glass of wine, listening to the waves crashing on the shore with a big smile on our faces. The sense of satisfaction was liberating as we realised we had exchanged two days of hustle and bustle city life for two days of pure pleasure in the sun and nature.

Saturday morning we awoke with a hunger to explore and for a hearty breakfast so we headed off into town. We also had to stock up on supplies for the weekend and were surprised at the choices for such a small town. One really does not need to pre-pack anything as everything is available in Pringle Bay; from your typical small town grocer to the Lemon and Lime Deli selling fresh produce, imported Italian products and a wide selection of local wines. Not to be overlooked is the small Tickle Mouse factory shop where you can buy delicious biscuits and rusks, as well as the other local shops selling local produce like honey coffee liquor.

If there is a second hand book shop in the area, I will always sniff it out and a good one hour later, I emerged with a big smile on my face and a bag full of books. A little bit of a problem if you cycled to town as the load home got quite heavy but well worth it. The selection of books is incredible.

Another shop I lost myself in was an antique and home decor store called ‘Andsoitis’. You truly step back into time when entering this store or some can even say, into grandma’s old chest of treasures. The shelves are decorated with antique tea cups and saucers, silver cutlery, suitcases, clothing and shoes, even Huisgenoot magazines from the 1950’s. You will find beautiful crochet blankets, mosaic vases and jewellery.

After we exhausted the town we headed back to the house to unload and get ready for our afternoon activities. Some of the group took the dogs for a walk on the beach, while others lazed and read on the deck soaking up the sun. For the more energetic, we jumped onto our bikes and cycled along the coast to Rooiels, a smaller seaside town forming part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It was an easy cycle with only a slight incline to conquer but all in all, a comfortable ride, allowing one to appreciate the beauty of the mountains, fynbos and fresh sea air.

Our Saturday would not have been complete without a sunset walk on the beach. The view across False Bay to Cape Point was breathtaking. The warm shades of peach and purple blended perfectly into an artistic canvas. Nestled on top of a sand dune, we admired nature’s beautiful gift.

Famished from our active day, we took a nice stroll after sunset into town to Perigators, famous for their pizzas. I can testify, they were mouth-watering tasty. After supper we hopped on over to the Periscope Theatre where we listened to the Diamondback Blues Band strum out soulful blues melodies. A relaxing ending to a busy day.

Taking advantage of the fresh sea air we started our Sunday with a brisk walk on the beach, followed by a game of beach bat doubles. At the end of the beach, where the river mouth flows into the sea, we discovered a troop of juvenile Chacma baboons wrestling on the beach while the leader of the troop kept watch, perched high on his rock. The baby baboons always steal my heart away and we sat for a while watching them try to clamber up the rocks, stumbling over their jelly legs.

To take full advantage of the good weather we took a cycle along the coast, in the direction of Betty’s Bay with Hangklip towering majestically over us. I couldn’t keep my eyes off this peak as we cycled around it. I was captivated by the wavy patterns of strata composed of the same sandstone as found on Table Mountain.  Enjoying the cycle we explored the area and cycled down a side road. To our surprise we stumbled upon a small bay and the Cape Hangklip lighthouse. We didn’t want to leave our bicycles unattended but one could take a nice walk along the rocky beach to visit the lighthouse.

On our way back to the house we stopped at Hangklip Hotel and quenched our thirst with a refreshment on the deck, enjoying the view across the bay for one last time. Sadly our weekend had come to an end and we had to make our way back to the city but we knew we had enjoyed every moment Pringle Bay had to offer. She had spoilt us with her charm and beauty, leaving us wanting to return and explore more of this beautiful coast.

Little did we know, there was one more surprise in store for us. As soon as we thought we couldn’t possibly see anymore of nature’s wonders, we noticed many cars pulling off to the side of Clarence Drive, the coastal road that meanders from Gordon’s Bay to Betty’s Bay. We had a quick glance over the ocean to see what everyone was looking at and at the first chance we got, we also quickly pulled over.

A school of porpoises were swimming along the coastline. I tried to count them which proved difficult as they were diving in and out of the water but there must have been over 20 of these majestic sea mammals.  It was truly an awe-inspiring moment that filled my heart with appreciation and gratitude. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful country and even more fortunate to have the opportunity to breakaway on weekends and experience this splendour.