Gloom entirely dispelled. Have been on leave yesterday and today from noon till 11 p.m. in company of Warwick Wilson my lifelong friend. On Friday, after triumphal march through the city, took a tram ride over one spur of Table Mountain to a pretty seaside resort, Camp Bay [Camps Bay], and given afternoon tea free: returned to city by another route. The beach was of glistening white granite sand, pounded from great rocks which act as the buttresses of a continent. Thousands of feet above tower the rugged peaks of the sea-following ranges. On our return looked up Mr. Ker, a tall cadaverous chap with big prominent eyes, a widower, a real good sort. We had dinner and spent the evening with him. Today he has insisted on entertaining us all day. I call him “the soldiers friend”. He seems to take a genuine delight in giving New Zealanders a good time. We went Friday, to another beautiful seaside suburb, Muissenberg [Muizenberg], with grand view of the sea and mountains. To dinner with K and spent the evening with him again.
We are unit for duty, but by good luck I missed guard, but poor W. struck it. We had a church parade, attended by the Governor of the Colony and his lady, at the Cathedral; a fine building of granite with very beautiful blue glass windows. Went up to K’s diggings and spent the whole day with him and his little daughter, of about eleven years, who held me by the hand and prattled throughout the day. We walked to Camp Bay and visited the monument to Cecil Rhodes, an imposing structure in granite, with huge pillars and bronze statues, situated in a magnificent park. Had afternoon tea up there, then walked down, visiting en passant a zoo, and subsequently leaving the little girl at her boarding school; then returned with K. and smoked and yarned with him and his friend. This town is full of interest and fine whites, yellows and reds of the buildings and the gay colours of the natives’ clothes, delight the eye.
Walk March 