We've had lovely weather the last few days, hot, mid to late 20's, and very little wind. When I cycled through Gordon's Bay the sea was just beautifully aquamarine and calm and clear as a swimming pool. Quite different to a few days a go.
This morning I cycled 60-something kilometres from Kleinmond, through Betty's Bay, and along Gordon's Bay to Somerset West.
It is a very scenic cycle, and if I wasn't on a bit of a timeline to meet Allan here (he has my stuff in his car) I would have gone off for a goof in Pringle Bay and thrown myself into the absolutely idyllic water at Bikini Beach. I did stop to eat a SPAR steak pie at one point, and obviously did keep my eyes open as panorama after panorama opened up around me. A mama baboon scampered right in front of me, her baby holding on for dear life. I also followed a woman's pointing finger to a jet of water that may have been a whale.
I still want to see where exactly is the Whaling Station in Betty's Bay. It closed down in 1930, but I'd still like to see the building. It got quite hot towards the end. My legs are very brown now.
Yesterday I cycled in the late afternoon, when it gets a bit cooler, to Hermanus and back. I averaged about 28km/h, and Allan and his family stopped on the side of the road when they saw me. They missed their sunset cruise. Hopefully I'll get a chance to go on one in a few days.
Hermanus has grown a lot, in some ways it is far less quaint and far too commercial.
I went for a zizz at a Shell and while waiting for Madonna (mad nonna) and child, spotted a Great White Caged Diving Operation across the road. I grumbled to another guy who was waiting, that I couldn't been in and out the men's toilet within 10-15 seconds. The ladies toilet was out of order (welcome to South Africa) so Madonna and child were using the men's and taking their time about it.
The guy said to me, as I left, "That's a really cool bike."
I said, "Now I need to get this in shape," patting my boep.
My stomach honestly felt like a tyre around my waist during the ride to Hermanus. Just very stiff and awkward. So for dinner last night I had some giant prawns, including the skins, and this morning my tummy felt a lot looser and notably less bloated. When I was in Thailand I had prawns for almost every meal and without even exercising shed 2-3kg.
I think one big meal can actually leave one looking visibly bloated, so it makes sense to eat smallish portions and for me at least, to take it easy on gassy cooldrinks, greasy foods and beer. Not easy to do when everything around you is so delish!
Nevertheless, for the next week or so I will focus on seafoods (especially shellfish) and vegetables, and if I drink any alchohol, just good wines.
Over the last two days I've burned 4000 calories so the training is going well. I'd like to get in a swim tonight, or an easy run or cycle.
I've just said goodbye to Allan and his family. They are flying back to Johannesburg after 3pm, and the Vickerman's are dropping off my stuff at the airport where Mandy will hopefully be able to meet them and pick it all up.
I had a good time with the Muirs. Our record for bat and ball on the beat yesterday was 131. The beach was lovely yesterday except the water suddenly turned icy.
The girls on the beach though were HOT!
I'll start posting pictures on the web as from the 15th, earlier if small miracles happen. The charger for my camera is either still airborne over the Indian Ocean, or being trucked on some lonely highway towards Bloemfontein. Once I have it, I will power up my camera again and start loading some of the sights onto this website.
It's good to be here, and on holiday, while I know everyone is freezing cold and back to work in Korea. I'm looking forward to the next few days, and continuing the process of getting into awesome physical condition.
I have 26 days to the Late Entry deadline (January 31st) for Ironman South Africa.
In the meantime, there remains a lot to do, roads to fly over, and I need to get a lot lighter. If I can dodge the baboons, I believe I will get there.
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