Page 218 - Bulletin 9 2005

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It was the in place to go to. Here is a lady reporter in her regular social column:

"Cape Town,
Nov. 16th, 1903.

Dear Ruth,
We had ideal weather on King’s Birthday, when the beach was covered with picnic
parties for miles and miles. Everybody tried to get as much fresh air as possible and
there is no doubt about it that Camps Bay has become the favourite holiday resort of
our public, as it attracts many thousands on every occasion. Although much of the
thickly wooded forest formerly known as Mill’s Bush had been chopped down, there still
remains many old and young pine trees which provide shelter from wind and sun; the
invigorating sea breezes mixed with the fragrant odour of these health giving
evergreens give us new strength and we need not carry any food about for long
distances, as there are refreshment rooms within easy reach supplying the needful. On
Sunday afternoon and also on moonlight evenings the band plays in the pavilion,
tramcars go from the city to this beautiful Bay from early till late and the fare is such a
moderate one that the labourers and poorer classes can afford to have a day’s outing
with their families at a small outlay. No wonder Muizenberg is left to the "upper ten
thousand" with its high railway fare and overcrowded carriages.

Yours devotedly, Naomi"

The following month Naomi attended the picture and art exhibition which was opened

by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson. “Many of us were highly
pleased” when Dr. Muir who spoke after the Governor said that "ere long we would

have a national gallery in Cape Town.” Naomi noticed that “Since the Camps Bay tram
facilitates the drive round the Kloof, Lion’s Head has ... become a great favourite... (for)

everyone who can draw and paint ... and I am always glad to recognise my old friend
(Table Mountain) from a new side again."

As well as artists, photographers also turned their attention to this tourist attraction.
Photographers converted Camps Bay scenes into postcards for sale to these visitors.

Other photographs were sent to Scotland where the firm of W. & A. Smith of
Mauchline affixed them onto cheap whitewood articles that were sent from Scotland to

Camps Bay to be sold in Camps Bay as local souvenirs for visitors to take home to
Scotland, or other destinations. (Fig. 5.6.)