Bright and Breezy...

On Sunday morning, we had the kids up bright and early to do a little hike with us.  We all really enjoy getting out doors and haven't been on a good walk for quite some time.  The weather on Sunday was perfect and we took full advantage of it.

Please note: I've tried a new photo editor with these pictures and I haven't quite got them right, so please forgive my over-edited snaps.  It's this or nothing...

 This was our challenge - Lion's Head.  The walk is pretty simple, until you get to where those trees are, so the last bit is quite challenging (for me, OK)...

 Already, by 6:30, there were lots of other people doing the same thing as us...

 Bright spring flowers...

 Michael and Cam...

 Not to be left out, Jake was quick to join them...

 Cam asked me to take this photo - I only realised when I downloaded it, that I had my camera on the wrong setting... sorry Cam...

 Busy bees...

 The boys taking a little rest...

 Looking out over Signal Hill and Table Bay...

 Michael peeping through a hole in a rock...

 And Cameron...

 And my very own pork-pie, Jake...

 Being silly in the little cave...

 Another little peeping spot...

 Coming around the mountain into the morning sun...

 Time for the hard work - for me at least.  The boys thought this part was the best...

 Jake always waits for me, he's such a concerned little boy...

 Michael climbing the chains...

 And Jake...

 I had to hand my camera over at this point - it was going to get bumped.  It meant that Marius could take some pictures of me too...

 Nearly there...

 I can't be serious all the time...

 Jake and I are not nearly as fit as Marius and his boys...  Michael and Cameron were up at the top long before us...

 Jake's rest stop...

 Marius had to wait for me too.  It's something I'm working hard on at the moment.  The treadmill is my friend...

 Once you get to the top, the views over Cape Town are just breath-taking...

 Looking over to Table Mountain...

 Jake with Robben Island in the back ground...

 I do love this boy.  He goes nearly as red in the face as I do when I do exercise...

 He was perched on a rock high above Sea Point.  Not really - there was a landing below him.  Hahahaha... check how skew my horizon is.  Would be so boring if it were straight...

 Another snap of the cable station...

 Marius didn't even break a sweat.  Next time, he can give me a piggy back ride all the way to the top...

 I love this picture.  Perhaps because it's one of the few that don't look too processed in this batch...

The sun was quickly warming the air up and the morning mist was disappearing fast.  Mountains forever...

On top of the world...

Marius and his fun-loving boys...

Hahaha... the morning sun was bright...

Our pretty city.  Sure next to New York, etc it's tiny, but it's the best city in the world...

Robben Island and Sea Point without Jake...

Our attempt at Jake holding Robben Island in the palm of his hand...

Marius and his mini-me...

Quickly joined by Michael...

And of course, Jake couldn't be left out of a photo opportunity, even if he was acting silly...

Wheeheeeheee - bless you Michael...

The view as we started our way back down the mountain.  This is looking out over Camps Bay beach and the 12 Apostles Mountain Range...

We were all glad we'd made the effort to get up early, the mountain was SUPER busy by the time we'd turned back.  Narrow paths and waiting for chains/ladders considered, going down was easy...

Marius and Cam waiting for us.  Michael had already gone ahead (see his red t-shirt near the point).  Cam deserted us soon after - he couldn't let his big brother beat him.  Fortunately, Jake's a lazy slug like his mom, so we took it easy on the way down...

And Marius had my camera again.  Hi me.  Hi Jake.  Look how determined Jake looks.  And hahaha... only just noticed that we were colour co-ordinated...

After our little walk, the kids were all boiling.  It was 31 degrees C on Sunday and by the time we got to the bottom, it was already warm.  We decided to stop in for a quick swim at the Sea Point Pavillion.  You can see it in the pictures above from the top of Lion's Head.  Michael braving the jump...

And not to be outdone by his big brother, Cam tried it out too.  Jake opted to stay dry...

Once Cam had tried the "small" jump, he did the big one too...

And this time, not to be outdone by his little brother, Michael followed...

Jake trying to pluck up the courage to jump.  Poor Michael hurt his eyes, swimming the day before at a friend - chlorine!  Jake never did jump, but maybe one day he'll be brave enough...

We used to visit the Pav quite often when we were kids.  My dad grew up in Sea Point and my parents lived there when they first got married.  We loved Rocklands Beach, but the Pav was always a special outing.  I loved the little shop, where they sold long, flat spearmint gum and the baby's pool was always so warm.  On one trip, we stopped by these little islands to have our photo taken and I forgot my Bentley belt (swimming tube) on the bench when we left.  By the time we went back, it was already gone.  I was in so much trouble!!  Hahaha... I think that was the last time we went.  I don't think my parents took us back - sorry Jo!

Looking back at Lion's Head from the Pavillion - wooohooo - I did it...

Back at Marius' house, the weather was perfect and we had the most relaxing day.  Lion's Head on the right of the mountain, with Signal Hill.  Pretty, hey?  I am a lucky girl...

Hope you're all having a good week!

Sending love,

Sue