I could drive 500 miles, 500 miles .....

I am not sure how far I would get if I drove 800 kilometres From home I am pretty sure  I might think twice before even setting out. It turned out thats what we signed up for and so that's what we had to do.  Day 1 we covered 400 k approx and that took us 6 hours and day 2  we drove 600 k which also took 6 hours - no idea how it worked out like that but it did. On the whole the roads are empty and so straight we wondered if the Romans ever came here. We opted to folow the route  Google maps felt was the shortest both in length and time.
It was a long drive and tiring but , this is an anormous BUT and a terrificWOW factor ,  Avis had supplied us with this hire care that I suspect has ruined me for life. We had asked for a four wheel drive so that everyone would be able to see out. To be honest we expected that on the day we would be given something else completely different like a saloon car or hatchback, that is what tends to happen in Europe. We could not believe our eyes when  we were presented with a white ,three litre Toyota landcruiser! WOA ! only 6000 k on the clock. It took me a bit of practice  not to look like a complete midget getting in and out until I discovered I could grab a strategically placed handle just on the interior of the door frame and lift myself in, I now look like I have been doing this all my life.

Franshhoek.

Driving to Franshhoek was easy and only an hour from Cape Town. It is a dream driving here.The countryside is spotless , vast broad plains ringed by towering scraggy mountains . The are studd farms and cattle farms with huge amounts of cows. Impeccable gardens and of course the wineries. Yeah! "It's time for lunch , let's just pull into this one here , "Allee  Bleue Winery " a small restaurant in a lodge  , painted white and blue, Dutch style, it was to oneside of the entrance to a long wide driveway bordered with the talest eucalyptus trees . Lunch, Presentation A1 , service A1, 3 salads each one a picture in its own right. A bottle of Rose wine. We paid around £25 for 3!you know it makes sense.We walked around the estate and ended up in the shop. Franco asked which was their most expensive wine. Believe it or not it was a red wine called "True Love" . It was valentines day. He bought a bottle, the price? 167 Rand. About £10 , we cooked steaks at home and the between the three of us we finished the bottle, it was sooooo good.