Guest author: Robbie Cheadle – Table Mountain Cape Town

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Sue Vincent

If I think of wonderful Cape Town, I think first of Table Mountain. This mountain is such a landmark and a most incredible natural phenomenon.

Some of you may have picked up the fact that I am slightly prone to obsessions. These have changed over the course of my life and have included exercising, mothering, baking and blogging. When I first met Mr Fox twenty years ago [when I was young and full of energy and he still had hair!], I was going through my mad exercising phase. Our first holiday together was to Cape Town and, of course, I had to get my daily fix. My plan – to walk up Table Mountain. Not once but twice; once up the front of the mountain and once up the back of the mountain.

Our first walk was up the front of Table Mountain. It was an incredible experience and we were really delighted at the sight of the amazing flora and fauna. Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park which also includes Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Devil’s Peak and the Twelve Apostles. When we walked up the front of Table Mountain there was a short part which was a sheer rocky cliff. Our guide had to attach a mountaineering grappling hook and a rope to the rocky face of the mountain. Mr Fox and I had to use this rope to pull ourselves up the rocks to the top of the cliff. This was when I found out that Mr Fox is afraid of heights. He had no choice, however, and had to look up and make the best of it.

Signal Hill

 

 

Devil’s Peak

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Mountain National Park is home to nearly 9 000 plant species of which 80% are fynbos (meaning fine bush). Many of the plants that occur in the Table Mountain National Park occur nowhere else on earth. During our walks on and about Table Mountain we got to see and touch many of the wonderful plants growing on the mountain.

Protea’s are my favorite of the many flowers that grow on Table Mountain. The King Protea, also called the King Sugar Bush, the Honeypot or the Giant Protea, is the largest of the Protea plants and it is also the national flower of South Africa.

King Protea with a human hand indicating the relative size

On Table Mountain you will also find the Pincushion Protea and the Oleander-leaf Protea. The Oldeander-leaf Protea is my personal favourite and this is the one that you can learn how to make out of fondant in my new book Silly Willy Goes to Cape Town.

Pincushion Protea

 

Oleander-leaf Protea

Extract from Silly Willy Goes to Cape Town

Chapter 9: A fire on Table Mountain and a day at Fishhoek Beach

“On the side of the mountain, much higher up than the road, we could see billowing clouds of grey smoke and the bright yellow flames of a fire on the mountain.

As our car moved slowly forward we saw two huge red fire trucks race past up the road leading up to the mountain. There were lots of people standing on the side of the road looking up at the raging fire. Mom said that Cape Town gets rain during the winter so it gets very dry during the summer months and fires on the mountain happen a lot. This fire was spreading very quickly and there were about thirty firemen, dressed in their big firemen suits and wearing hats and smoke masks, up on the mountain fighting the fire.

We could see their small figures moving around amid the smoke. The firemen were trying desperately to save the special, protected flowers and bushes that grew on the sides of the mountain. The cars were hardly moving at all because of all the smoke, people and emergency vehicles so we sat in our car and watched the fire. The wind had started to blow a bit harder and the fire was spreading, I could see the flames jumping from one small tree and bush to another. It was scary to watch how fast the flames moved. The fire burned up everything and left smoking, black ash behind it. Dad pointed towards the sea, “Look” he said.”

You can also learn how to make a Table Mountain cake in Silly Willy goes to Cape Town which also includes four other party recipes.

Table Mountain cake

Silly Willy goes to Cape Town

When the George family go on holiday to Cape Town, Cautious Craig cannot believe what he has to endure at the hands of his naughty and wilful younger brother, Silly Willy. Willy throws tantrums at the most embarrassing and inappropriate times, causes a commotion on the aeroplane and tries to steal a chameleon from Butterfly World. What is a poor older brother expected to do in these situations?

Available via Amazon

8About the author

Robbie Cheadle was born in London in the United Kingdom. Her father died when she was three months old and her mother immigrated to South Africa with her tiny baby girl. Robbie has lived in Johannesburg, George and Cape Town in South Africa and attended fourteen different schools. This gave her lots of opportunities to meet new people and learn lots of social skills as she was frequently “the new girl”.

Robbie is a qualified Chartered Accountant and specialises in corporate finance with a specific interest in listed entities and stock markets. Robbie has written a number of publications on listing equities and debt instruments in Africa and foreign direct investment into Africa.

Robbie is married to Terence Cheadle and they have two lovely boys, Gregory and Michael. Michael (aged 11) is the co-author of the Sir Chocolate series of books and attends school in Johannesburg. Gregory (aged 14) is an avid reader and assists Robbie and Michael with filming and editing their YouTube videos and editing their books.

Find and follow Robbie

Blogs: robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com and

Goodreads.com

Twitter: @bakeandwrite

Facebook: @SirChocolateBooks

Other books by Robbie and Michael Cheadle

The Sir Chocolate books are a delightful marriage of story, verse and cookery

… a perfect recipe for sharing with children.

You can purchase the Sir Chocolate books from:

Amazon  Lulu.com    TSL Books

or you can buy them in South Africa directly from the authors by emailing Robbie Cheadle at sirchoc@outlook.com.

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About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent is a Yorkshire-born writer and one of the Directors of The Silent Eye, a modern Mystery School. She writes alone and with Stuart France, exploring ancient myths, the mysterious landscape of Albion and the inner journey of the soul. Find out more at France and Vincent. She is owned by a small dog who also blogs. Follow her at scvincent.com and on Twitter @SCVincent. Find her books on Goodreads and follow her on Amazon worldwide to find out about new releases and offers. Email: findme@scvincent.com.
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81 Responses to Guest author: Robbie Cheadle – Table Mountain Cape Town

  2. chris jensen says:
    July 21, 2017 at 17:16

    Another great find…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Claire@LinleyRoss says:
    July 21, 2017 at 17:20

    Table Mountain is absolutely top of my bucket list and this post isn’t helping!!! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. robbiesinspiration says:
    July 21, 2017 at 17:22

    Reblogged this on Robbie's inspiration and commented:
    Silly Willy and Cautious Craig visited England today and popped in to tell Sue Vincent from Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo all about Table Mountain and the lovely Protea flowers that grow there. Thank you so much, Sue, for having this naughty pair over for a visit.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC says:
      July 22, 2017 at 12:36

      Beautiful photos, Robbie – and Mr. Fox must have been quite smitten indeed to endure his fear of heights to follow you up the mountain. I loved learning about this side of you – I would never have guessed you were so athletic.

      The Proteas are gorgeous, and I had no idea that some grew only in one place on earth. Thanks for sharing – here and in your clever story/baking childrens book.
      xx,
      mgh
      (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
      ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
      “It takes a village to educate a world!”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • robbiesinspiration says:
        July 22, 2017 at 16:03

        Thank you, Madelyn, for your lovely comment. I was very athletic when I was younger. I used to teach spinning in the gym – 10 classes a week and we used to participate in cycling races. I had a bad cycling accident which caused me a lot of problems so I had to stop. Now I just do Pilates. We do still hike but not such long trails because of Mikey’s asthma.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC says:
          July 22, 2017 at 18:49

          I taught yoga at a health spa – more my speed, but I love Pilates as well as graduated resistance machines.

          I empathize with Michael. Running, spinning, hiking, etc. heat me up too fast for my body to dissipate the heat and I practically pass out. Short, leisurely walks with Tink are lovely, and about all I can manage in the summer heat. Even in cooler weather I must take care and pay attention to signs of incipient heat stroke.

          So sorry to hear about your cycling accident. All better now?
          xx,
          mgh

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      July 24, 2017 at 22:08

      Lovely to have you over, Robbie 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  5. Ritu says:
    July 21, 2017 at 17:40

    Great photos Robbie! Those flowers…. gorgeous!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. coldhandboyack says:
    July 21, 2017 at 17:40

    Nice to see you here too. Hope Willie and Craig are gaining some traction.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Frank Hubeny says:
    July 21, 2017 at 18:02

    This is the first I’ve heard of Table Mountain and the damage done to the unusual vegetation by fires. From the photo I can see why it got its name.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Vashti Q says:
    July 21, 2017 at 18:03

    This is a lovely post! I enjoyed the blurb from ‘Silly Willy goes to Cape Town’. The pictures are great. A recipe in a storybook is such a unique and creative concept.😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. John Fioravanti says:
    July 21, 2017 at 18:39

    Another beautiful post, Robbie! Loved the pictures and the excerpt! Thanks for hosting Robbie, Sue.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Susan Scott says:
    July 21, 2017 at 19:00

    Lovely Robbie thank you. Bravo to Mr Fox 20 years ago – 🌻

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. Mae Clair says:
    July 21, 2017 at 19:28

    A tense and scary excerpt with the fire. I wonder what Dad is pointing to out at sea.

    I love the photos, Robbie. The flowers are gorgeous and so exotic looking. You and Willy are really making the rounds. Lovely to see you here today. Hugs to you and Sue!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • robbiesinspiration says:
      July 22, 2017 at 05:14

      Thank you, Mae. What Dad saw out at see was something new to us all. The flora on Table Mountain is quite incredible and I am privileged to have been able to visit this nature reserve so many times. Each time we discover something new.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Mary Smith says:
    July 21, 2017 at 19:55

    I love your flower photos, Robbie. My husband has no head for heights, either, which I only discovered when we’d climbed Goat Fell on Arran (nowhere near as high as Table Mountain). I was exclaiming about the view when I noticed him backing up to the trig point so he had something solid behind him.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. watchingthedaisies says:
    July 21, 2017 at 21:48

    I am with Mr Fox on the heights Robbie but those flowers are so worth the climb. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. watchingthedaisies says:
    July 21, 2017 at 21:48

    I am with Mr Fox regarding heights Robbie but those flowers are so worth the climb. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. paulandruss says:
    July 22, 2017 at 00:10

    Great Post -loved the proteas as I have been carefully growing them for 4 years and got each oneKing pin and Oleander leafed..Hopefully despite the damp cool climate they will one day flower! Although All I really want to do is get them through each winter…. the sugar confectionery version of the sugar bush flower Oleander protea was beautifully done

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • robbiesinspiration says:
      July 22, 2017 at 05:20

      Thank you, Paul. I remember that you like Proteas. I am most interested to know how they thrive in your neck of the woods. The fondant oleander leaf Protea took me a while to make but it was definitely worth it. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • paulandruss says:
      July 27, 2017 at 19:38

      Hi Robbie Sorry about the delay.. just got back from a trip to family…. The oleander leaved (nerinofolia) is truly a work of art.. But you know Robbie I could have that typed up and just copy and paste it because work of art applies to everything you do. The proteas are fine and growing… 2 pincushion, 2 king, 1 of each Nerinofolia and Longifolia (Others died in winter), and one telopea (Australian relative) but I don’t know if they will ever flower. However the Lily of the Nile (also from you neck of the woods are now flowering)> Hugs back to you and yours and of course your lovely hostess Sue! Px

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  17. Gigi Sedlmayer says:
    July 22, 2017 at 01:37

    Memories are coming back. But it was a long time ego. But still in my mind. Table Mountain. Amazing place.
    I don’t know why still my old website is coming up. I have a new one. You might like to look it up.
    http://gigised.com

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. newsspellcom.org says:
    July 22, 2017 at 09:30

    The flower and fauna of Table Mountain is exotically beautiful indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. D. Wallace Peach says:
    July 22, 2017 at 16:04

    Lovely post and photos, Robbie. Those flowers are stunning – like nothing I’ve seen over here. I enjoyed the except as well. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. Judy E Martin says:
    July 22, 2017 at 18:00

    I love that protea flower, it is so beautiful.
    You and poor old Mr Fox are very brave climbing up Table Mountain.I am also terrified of heights and couldn’t do it even if I had to! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. balroop2013 says:
    July 22, 2017 at 18:12

    Now I know why we should keep sharing such places of interest of our country…Table Mountain is amazing! I must confess that haven’t heard of it but I am mesmerised by the beauty of the place! Thank you for sharing this lovely experience Robbie. I love the heights and the adventures associated with them. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  23. dgkaye says:
    July 23, 2017 at 00:47

    Beautiful photos Robbie. Nice to see you here at Sue’s place. 🙂 x

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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  25. olganm says:
    July 24, 2017 at 09:04

    What a beautiful post. Love the flowers and the adventures. Thanks, Robbie and thanks, Sue! Best of luck!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  26. Pingback: Guest author: Robbie Cheadle – Table Mountain Cape Town | Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo | Just Olga

  28. rivrvlogr says:
    July 24, 2017 at 22:01

    You have some beautiful photos here.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  29. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:
    July 25, 2017 at 07:59

    Another wonderful post Robbie and brave Mr. Fox.. stunning photographs.. and a wonderful promotion for Silly Willy Goes to Cape Town.xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. beetleypete says:
    July 25, 2017 at 09:48

    Great to see Robbie featured. As well as her many other talents, she is a committed and fully-engaged blogger, and a real community person. Good luck to her with the latest book.
    She just gave me the inspiration for my latest A-Z series, so her blog is aptly named.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  32. Tina Frisco says:
    July 25, 2017 at 22:46

    Such a lovely post, Robbie and Sue. Beautiful photos and imagery ♥♥

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  33. boon.bron says:
    August 10, 2017 at 20:29

    So great to hear about my hometown!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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