Doug and Kerry Hudson in Cape Vidal, South Africa

World Trip >> Africa >> Kwa-Zulu Natal >> Zululand >> Cape Vidal

The only accommodation we could get in Cape Vidal was a five-bed log cabin, so we had invited Kerry’s brother, Chris, to join us there for a couple of days of fishing, swimming and snorkelling. The plan was to rendezvous there at midday. We received a text from Chris at 6:40 to say that he was on his way. His excitement was infectious. If there is one thing that Chris is more passionate about than cricket, then it is fishing.

Chris was really pumped up when we met him, full of enthusiasm. We still had a couple of hours before we could collect the keys to our cabin, so we headed to the beach. Beautifully pristine, there was plenty of room for us to swim and ride the waves despite all the 4x4s with fishing boats in tow. The water was a lovely temperature, thanks to the Mozambique Current that flows past here.

Finally we had access to the cabin. We unloaded the cars and within five minutes a cheeky monkey had helped itself to half a loaf of stale bread. We didn’t mind this so much, as long as they didn’t touch the crunchies that Lou had baked for us! Chris showed Doug how to do the fisherman’s knot, and he explained all about the fishing tackle and bait. Chris' enthusiasm rubbed off on Doug, and before long they were raring to go. We went to the beach to give it a go, and guess what? Doug caught a fish! A 350mm shad. We put him back as we thought he was below regulation size.

We returned to the cabin to find that monkeys had robbed us yet again. But this time they had taken the crunchies, the b@st@rds! They had also made a right mess of our cabin, leaving sugar all over our beds and footprints on the back of the sofa. And there was a terrible smell. We consoled ourselves with some cold beer and a braai.

Doug and Chris were up at 4am the next morning, as high tide is supposed to be the best time to fish. They were treated to a magnificent sunrise, and their commitment to the cause paid off when Chris caught a shad. They returned in triumph to the cabin, proudly showing off their trophy to the bleary-eyed Kerry, who had still been in bed when they got back. We decided to go for a walk along the pristine coastline, to enjoy the weather and scenery. Upon our return, Chris and Doug grabbed the snorkel gear and headed back to the beach. They describe the experience as magnificent. The sea was teeming with brightly coloured fish, with striking patterns and differently shapes and sizes. Meanwhile Kerry sunned herself – until the heavens opened and it poured down with rain!

Back at the cabin, Doug and Chris ate the fish for lunch. It was delicious. Kerry had a hot dog instead, as she can’t eat fish.

Chris and Doug spent the evening fishing. They came back looking as miserable as drowned rats, soaked through to the skin by the rain and with no fish to show for it. We revived our spirits with a delicious potjie, however. Up early again with the sparrows the following morning, Chris and Doug had another unsuccessful attempt to catch a fish. We were well overdue for a fish! After breakfast we returned to the beach for some more snorkelling in the beautiful underwater world off Cape Vidal. Meanwhile, Kerry stayed on shore reading her book. We packed up and moved out down to St. Lucia Estuary and checked into our accommodation there.

Kerry and Doug had a tour of the estuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the fragile balance of the five different ecosystems that exist there. We saw crocodiles, hippopotamus, an enormous goliath heron and a majestic African fish eagle. The eagle seemed to draw himself up and pose for us as the boat drew level.

Chris and Doug tried the beach at St. Lucia for another attempt and this time: success! Doug caught another shad! He didn’t even realize he had it on the line, it put up so little resistance. We dined very well that evening, on braaied wors, pork chops and shad. The down side was that Doug had to de-scale and gut the fish he had caught. This task was none too pleasant, and it was a good job it was dark too, or Chris would have seen how green he had turned!

Disappointed that a complete beginner was leading him 2-1 in the fishing stakes, Chris returned to the beach the following morning. It was his last chance to redress the balance. He returned proudly clutching three shad, making the final score 4-2 to Chris. He said that they had been practically jumping onto his hook, and he would have caught more had he not run out of bait.

Yes Chris, and you should have seen the one that got away!

World Trip >> Africa >> Kwa-Zulu Natal >> Zululand >> Cape Vidal

Last updated: Sunday August 27, 2006