July 2024

While we were at our home on the West Coast for a quick visit, we only had a few days of sunshine (we are in the middle of winter after all).

One of these sunny days started with a dark sky and heavy rain. After the rain, we saw bright colours through our sliding door. We walked out of the house and were surprised to see one of the most beautiful rainbows ever – there was even evidence of a faint double rainbow.

Bright rainbow after a heavy downpour

Do you see the double rainbow?

Rainbow over Langebaan

Finally, the rain gave way and the winter sun drove away the clouds. Even though it was cold, the sun and mostly blue skies called for a quick trip. My mum and I, dressed in warm jackets, decided to explore the beach of the nearby town of Saldanha Bay.

*Berto had to attend an online work meeting, but we promised we’d bring something special for him.

Saldanha Bay:

Saldanha Bay, also called Saldanha, is just 21km/13 miles from Langebaan and has a natural harbour. Its local economy is heavily dependent on fishing, seafood processing, the steel industry and the harbour. The 800km long Sishen-Saldanha railway line that starts in Sishen in the Northern Cape Province ends here in Saldanha and the sheltered harbour plays an important role in the iron-ore project.

We decided to drive to the beach from where one can see part of the town, as well as the iron-ore operations.

From the beach we could see beautiful houses

Beach at Saldanha Bay

We could see large cargo ships in the harbour, probably waiting to load iron-ore. From here it is then exported to countries such as China, the Netherlands, South Korea, Mozambique and Germany.

Saldanha Bay harbour – the largest and deepest natural port in the Southern Hemisphere

Cargo ship (Langebaan is visible in the background)

Part of the iron-ore operations

I like the round rocks that are in the sea near the beach. We have walked here on the beach a few times in the summer and always saw children jumping from the high rocks into the sea. However, today we only saw seagulls sitting on the rocks and walking around on the beach.

Rocks close to the beach

Seagulls on the beach

Another view of the rocks from the beach

My mum and I wrapped our jackets tighter around us to protect us from the cold wind. A little further on, two fishermen sat on the rocks and braved the cold while trying to catch fish. However, it seemed to me that it was only the many seagulls that enjoyed the cold weather. We could also see a lot of kelp on the beach that washed up from the sea during the recent storm.

Fishermen on the rocks and kelp on the beach

The seagulls loved the cold winter day

Saldanha Bay harbour is not only known for iron ore, but also for oysters and mussels. The waters provide a naturally protected environment for the farming of oysters and mussels. We saw some smaller boats that were quite active at the farm.

Smaller boats on their way to the oyster and mussel farm

OceanGrown sea farm in Saldanha Bay harbour

I mentioned to my mother earlier that Berto and I were going to miss the spring wildflower season this year on the West Coast. So, I was very happy when I saw a lovely gazania near our car.

Beautiful gazania

It was now time to look for a place where we could drink something warm against the cold. I knew where we had to go – Cup of Cake, a cozy coffee shop was just a few minutes’ drive away.

Cup of Cake:

When we walked into the coffee shop, we knew we were definitely not going to order just coffee! The most beautiful looking cupcakes in the display counter made it difficult to decide what to enjoy with our coffee.

My mum’s choice was a carrot cake cupcake while I couldn’t resist the beautiful lemon meringue cupcake.

Our big cupcakes

Cappuccino and cupcake

Lemon meringue cupcake – the best

After enjoying our delicious cupcakes, we went for a quick walk on the nearby beach for the last time before heading back to Langebaan.

More seagulls on the beach

**Are these ducks or maybe sea ducks? I’ve never seen them on a beach before

Even though it was cold, we enjoyed Saldanha Bay’s beach without the crowds that usually come here in the summer months. And a cupcake on a cold winter day is always a winner.

* If you’re wondering whether I kept my promise … yes, Berto got an amazing chocolate cupcake.

**Aletta (nowathome) informed me that these birds are actually geese. They live near Cup of Cake and often walk on the beach. Thanks Aletta!