Page 11 - Bulletin 12 2008

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“We had a capital picnic yesterday by the seaside at Kalk Bay. The days were gloriously
fine and, as is the custom here, we were told to be ready by 8 o’clock and bring
anything we pleased in the way of dishes and baked meats. The hostess charged herself
with the care of the drinkables, and engaged to call for us in one of Cutting’s old
omnibuses, with its special team of six lively screws and a nondescript driver.
Accordingly, at the appointed hour, ourselves and a hamper were packed into the roomy
old ark, and in the company of at least a dozen young people, we were pleasantly jolted
down to the appointed rendezvous ……
“Kalk Bay ….. is accounted a very healthy place and is the favourite resort of
the well-to-do people, who like to exchange the ennui and smells of a hot town for the
more bracing breezes and stronger scents of the seaside …… Our arrival soon made us
the observed of all observers and …… we decided upon making a descent upon the
coast and cooking our own meals in alfresco fashion on the rocks …… The horses were
at once knee-haltered and turned loose, the servants sent searching for wood and bushes,
the old caravan emptied of its contents and, what with coffee, eggs, porter, cold tongue,
ham and chicken, a very admirable dejeuner a la fourchette was rapidly improvised.
“After breakfast we all dispersed in different directions in search of the
picturesque ……. Happening to sit down in a cosy little nook watching the sea gulls and
fishing boats, I must have dropped off to sleep ….. for I was suddenly aroused by a
shower of spray in my face and a peal of laughter above me, and discovered that a
stronger wave than usual had almost deluged me, to the huge delight of friends
including my husband ….. “

By this time Kalk Bay's long reputation as a health and holiday resort had been

established. “Those who keep pace with the times, instead of taking physic for ailings,
take themselves off to Kalk Bay with a sure prospect of more speedy and pleasant

recovery.” James Melville opened a successful hotel there in the 1860s and he was

described as a genial host and ran a conveyance between Wynberg Station and Kalk
Bay for the convenience of his guests, rather than running the mail cart to Simon's

Town.

Omnibus contractors seemed to come and go and fall like flies. This was, as previously
stated, due to the high operating costs which could not be recouped from the fares

charged. Another factor was the exceeding discomfort of travel: the roads were sub-

standard and filled with potholes, especially in winter, and with the lack of decent
suspension the journey was inevitably very bumpy and uncomfortable. This, coupled in

summer with clouds of dust, grit and sand, especially when the southeaster blew, and in