JOHANNASBURG 2/9/24 THRUGH 2/11/24
2//9//24. The fright from Raleigh to Jo-burg could not have been more uneventful, which is good.
We are staying at Blue Hills Lodge. Sitting on the covered porch with the windows wide open, no screens needed. I slept the sleep of all sleeps, in a bed that comforted me all through the night.
High today: 84ºF; low: 58ºF.
Last evening, we had dinner at Porto with Gramme, Nic, Taye, and Cole. I was fading fast from my flight, but it was still a delightful evening. First, we went to their lovely home. It was amazing to see the garden in waning light. We also enjoyed their two dogs, Neon and Rosie.
Hadeda, resident bird
2/10/24. David gave me lots of development of Jo-Burg's history. I knew a lot from writing about the spice trade in my second book, but I was most fascinated to learn that Jo-Burg was at an altitude higher than Denver, CO. (Elev. 5741 ft, 26.2 °S, 28.05 °E.) You don’t notice it because there are no mountain ranges; Jo-Burg sits atop a flat plateau. David says he has to go easy on this morning's run because of the altitude.
Breakfast at the Blue Hills Lodge could be anything you want. I had two poached eggs, fried tomato, and a link of pork sausage. David had scrambled eggs, tomato, and brown toast. We sat for hours chatting about the area and just enjoying time together.
After breakfast, Gramme picked us up at 11:00 to visit David’s favorite story, Food Lovers. I saw why. I gawked at every aisle. The food was so fresh.
In the afternoon, Gramme, Nic, David, and I went to Monte Casino; it was an awesome place, a city within a city!
Encephalartos
At 5:00, we returned to Gramme and Nic’s house, where we prepped for a Braai. i. It was a lovely meal with lovely friends and their children.
2/11/23
Travelled to East London.