FISH HOEK, Cape Peninsula, South Africa, September 24, 2005 — Not a good time to be mute with whales to exclaim over and social situations. Nevertheless, when I wake up all that is left of my voice is a squeak.

My friend Mags gives me some cures. I don't really feel bad. Just have a little drainage that occasionally elicits a cough and a voice that want work.

The phone wakes me. Mags says it was her son telling her that the whales were in Hout Bay.

We roused ourselves and Mags picked up a friend of hers from nearby who doesn't drive. We headed to a local flower show at the Civic Center.

We oohed and ahed over the garden club efforts and had tea and snacks. Then we headed to Chapman's Peak drive to look for those whales.

At each overlook, I'd think I spied those whales. Other people said the best views were just around the bend. But I didn't get too close. Chapman's Peak drive and Hout Bay are beautiful in any case. They charge a fee for the drive now.

We took the long way back, through Cape Town and saw people selling long-stemmed lillies that grow wild along the side of the road.

The cookout in South Africa is called a braii. And we are invited to one. Mags' friends Sue and Brian have invited us and another friend, Beattie, to a sort of 'welcome Linda' festivity. Sue and Brian have a young friend staying with them and another friend stops by long enough for a bit of tea. And their foster son Buntu dashes through between life saving and a party. I met Beattie, Sue, Brian and Buntu over eight years ago when I visited here before.

We sit outside for a tea party before the weather begins to be a little unfriendly. It's spring here (as the lillies attest) but winter is trying to hang on. Brian is abandoned to the braii, but we take turns visiting him out there while we go straight from tea to a drinks party with some of Brian's wine of the month selections.

The braii has lamb chops, sausage, corn on the cob. There is a selection of salads. My sqeaky voice is a problem but I feel good and have a great time.

Wind and rain have kicked up when we leave. We dash off to the car and get inside at Mags' place and under the covers I sink into a welcome sleep.