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For full details click "Useful Links" in the left hand menu When To Visit - No time is the wrong time but different seasons, of course, bring different advantages. Weather is not really a critical factor in deciding when to visit The Ling's. Great extremes of temperature are unknown, although it can be relatively cold and wet for a few months in winter (between June and August) when temperatures range from 7C to 18C. This too, however, is the fabulous "bloom" forna season when the West Coast, just 45mins north of the house, blossoms in to amazing colous. From September to November the weather can be unpredictable. December to March can be very hot, although average max temperature is 26C and the strong southeasterly wind (known as the Tourist Information - Cape Town Tourism located in city centre/City Bowl (www.tourismcapetown.co.za). Money - change it when you arrive in Car Hire - although taxi and Rikki (cheap, Asian-style transport in the City Bowl area) services are getting much better, safer and more reliable you're still better off driving yourself everywhere apart from the winelands when you can always hire a driver so everyone can get sozzled! We're more than happy to make recommendations if information and quotes on the big names at the airports (i.e. Hertz, Avis and Imperial) aren't suitable. Car Parking - most central areas are free but also controlled by official wardens. They'll expect at least R4 for looking after your car for however long you leave it. Maps - the South Africans do the whole map thing so award-winningly badly so be patient and don't buy cheap.Packing - take VERY LITTLE as you'll definitely end up shopping until you drop and buying yourself at least one new wardrobe (and still have change from a tenner)! Amongst other things all bedding and towelling is provided. All bedrooms have hair dryers. You'll also find that the house has a good selection of books, board games, playing cards, magazines, wildlife and bird guides. Within the bookshelf itself you'll also find four well organised draws for local maps, accommodation guides, wineland information (this has it's own dedicated draw!) and local flyers for everything from taxi companies to restaurants to sailing boat charters. None clothing essentials to consider - international power adaptors, rechargers for laptops and mobiles, binoculars, books, music (CDs), DVDs... Swimming - the sea is pretty darned cold throughout the year so make sure you're prepared or have a wetsuit. Keep an eye out for recommended swimming areas looked after by full-time lifeguards. Pay attention to the flags - they are all there for a reason and mean something important. Golf Equipment - best to bring all your own favourite stuff but again it is very, very reasonable to buy (or hire). Eating - be well prepared to hit the soup and salad diets when you get back home. The wine, red meat and seafood in Whale Watching - Each year Southern Right whales migrate into the coastal waters of the Cape Metropolitan Area to calve and nurse their young. The animals, mere metres from the shore, provide unsurpassed whale watching opportunities between June and November. Humpbacks migrate through the region between May and December each year, while Bryde's whales are found slightly further offshore all year round. A growing international interest in whale watching has led to increasing numbers of tourists visiting the region. Whale watching hotline +27 83 910 1028
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