In search of a classic grape....

Well Bigman and I headed out into the winelands with our wonderful guide, Ilene.

Ilene guided us round to 3 different wineries and made sure that we had a glass of red in our hands by 10.30am - a first for both of us I'm glad to say. We tasted a number of wines of all the different grape varieties that are grown in the regiona and learned much of the issues and challenges that this stunning country curently faces. We must of been the first Scots ever to limit the size of the samples provided and our hosts looked in shock as we stopped the liberal libation.

Our second stop was at a winery that offers specially made chocolate to compliment various wines that they produce. The first was a rich dark chocolate that was served with a shiraz, the second was a cabernet sauvignon served with rock salt chocolate (Bigman hates salt in his chocolate we discovered but somehow squeezed down the red that went with it!!!) and the third was a pudding wine with a milk chocolate. It was unusal but worked well. The coffee after went down even better.

Then it was off to Dornier - they own a plane making company as well. We didn't need any planes to fly!!! Anyway we sampled an array of fabulous wines before sitting down to lunch. Bigman has taken up food photography and is becoming a dab hand at framing picture of lasagne and pancakes. All those desperate to see the holiday snaps will now be gripped in anticipation of what will be a mouthwatering if not scenic tour of the Western Cape! Today it was fishcakes while I plumped on the local veggie flatbread.

After that it was back to sit outside in the cold breeze that was whistling round our sumptuous accomodation.

So dinner tonight might be a light affair - both stuffed from lunch.

We heard some sad news that a rider died on Tuesday morning at the race. He passed away in his sleep - James Williamson a 26 year old Australian. Very, very sad and we remember his family in our prayers.

The epic adventure continues with a trip to the coast in the morning with the aim of collecting the bikes from race HQ at night. We have decided to ride the Franschhoek Pass on Saturday - it's going to be Epic. The Bigman reckons his arm will have recovered sufficiently by then which is great news.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a wee bit warmer than today - we could do without it being a Scottish summer down here at the moment!