I, recently, had a request for a walk through the streets of the Mother City. Thought it would be a good idea, seeing that the Soccer World Cup is upon us and guests can be more informed about our city, Needless to say that it was very enjoyable. The atmosphere around Cape Town is unbelievable! Cars, buildings, houses all decorated, in some form or another, to celebrate this "Once in a life time experience".

We started on the Foreshore and stopped at the statue of Jan van Riebeeck and his French born wife Maria de la Queillerie. The statue was donated to the city by the Dutch Jan van Riebeeck Society in 1952. From there our walk took us up Adderley Street past the railway station – first locomotive was built in Scotland and landed in Cape Town in 1859, with its driver – exhibited in the large entrance hall, and the Great War Memorial which honours the South African soldiers who fell in the two World Wars and the Korean War.

From there we passed the Standard Bank building and the Groote Kerk which means 'Big Church'. It is the mother church of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.

Before we enter The Company's Gardens we have the Old Slave Lodge on the left. It housed up to 500 slaves working for the Dutch East India Company.

The tombstones of Jan van Riebeeck and wife can be seen here. Next to the Slave Lodge is the statue of Jan Smuts – politician, statesman, philosopher – he was twice Prime Minister of South Africa.

We then entered the Company's Gardens, which runs parallel for Government Avenue, formerly bisected about 18 hectares. Planting was started in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck to supply fresh provisions to passing ships. Today its extent has been whittled down to a mere 3 acres. The Houses of Parliament date back to 1885. Each brick has been stamped 'Made in England'. In front is the statue of Queen Victoria – a marble statue, unveiled in 1890, to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. We have to our right the South African Library. Copies of all books published in SA, are stored here.

Tuynhuis is the official residence for the State President and venue for presidential receptions. The many squirrels were brought to the Cape by Cecil John Rhodes in the 19th century. The statue of Cecil John Rhodes, with his left have held high he point north, recalling the British imperial dream of an empire from the Cape to Cairo, awaits us. On our pleasant stroll we pass the sun dial, the saffron pear tree (oldest tree in the Garden), and Sir George Grey statue.

From there we walked past St George's Cathedral to the 'Bo-Kaap' and onto Green Market Square for a well deserved and hearty lunch.

Ciao to all for now. Hope you are all coming for THE SOCCER WORLD CUP AND MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!!!