All aboard for a new day's adventure in St. Helena Bay and a private farm on the hill run by a friend of Hugo's. They raise what we would call exotic animals although they are all common in Africa. What we see as wild on the Tele become quite domesticated. One very contented Wart Hog lives in a room just off the farmhouse kitchen. I'm not sure how they stand the smell in the house as we all could only stand it to take one photo of Mr. Blubber. I'm not sure that he can even stand. 
We retreated to the van and drove around the perimeter of the farm to see all that they have. Our first encounter was with a pair of ferocious tortoise making their way along the road. There was Eland, with their twisted horns that came quite close when offered treats, Kudos with their curly horns were more shy and stayed in the brush. A friendly, probably hungry, Raven perched on Doug's shoulder for a time.
We left the farm and drove along an Ostrich farm - What a bunch of drumsticks for Thanksgiving dinner. We crossed the "Berg" (means mountain) river which is the largest river in South Africa then more rough roads to Lamberts Bay. There is a large island connected by a sea wall that is covered in sea birds, primarily Gannets although there are penguins, seagulls and many other species. Lamberts Bay is a fishing village although this island has been a major source of income for hundreds of years and their product - GUANO. The original settlers devised a platform for the birds where the Guano falls below and is easily scooped up and sold as fertilizer. Seals also make their home along the coast of the island.
Backtracking along the same dirt road we arrived at the Muisbosskern Restaurant. Set in the middle of nowhere and not much more than some ovens and some thatched roofs. Out in the open air, wind and in our case some light rain so we had to dodge leaks in the overhang. We spent the next three hours eating. Course after course was served including appetiser of pickled herring, then a variety of fish, shellfish, lobster and freshly baked bread. We had brought our own wine and did a splendid job of emptying every bottle in the van. Cooking was done over wood fired grills and ovens. When we were simply tired of eating we all waddled to the van and returned to the house at Cape Martin. Some folks took a nap while others hit the rocky beach looking for that very special shell and other treasures.
We settled in for the evening of conversation and a few card games. There was no dinner this night, Whew!!
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