Interesting fact about the month of August

August was originally named Sextilis because it was the sixth month of a ten month Roman calendar back in the day. It was renamed in 8BC to honour Augustus who was the first Roman Emperor. Emperor Augustus renamed Sextilis to August because this was the month he conquered Egypt. It is also rumoured that he stole days from February to make August longer, from 29 days to 31 days. This is not true however, Julius Caesar gave it extra days when he developed the Georgian calendar in 45BC.

The above statue which was discovered on April 20, 1863 in the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta, near Rome where Livia Drusilla (the wife of Augustus) retired after his death. It is now displayed in the Braccio Nuovo (New Wing) of the Vatican Museums.

What’s it like living in Strand?

Before I tell you that, let me give a bit of history about this beautiful place.

Strand was established as a fishing and holiday resort in 1714. As an Estate Agent it is amazing to find some of these stunning old heritage houses which can be viewed on an old aerial photograph by the municipality. It was the first aerial photograph of the area which was taken in 1953. I unfortunately don’t have a copy of it but I do have some old pictures of Strand which I will share here.

Strand Pavillion 1953

Strand falls under the City of Cape Town municipality. Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay and Strand have experienced such wonderful growth over the past two decades, so much so that they are almost one and are collectively known as the Helderberg. Strand is situated on the N2 and only about 40 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. This seaside resort is on the edge of False Bay and at the foot of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. It has the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. When the sun sticks its golden head over the mountains to greet us and start our day and when it goes down into False Bay giving us those bright orange and red colours in the evening sky which reflect off the waters of False Bay to bid us good night. That’s when you look across the Bay and see the silhouette of Cape Point all the way across to Muizenburg.

Melkbaai

Tourism has been a major source of local income since 1950 when Strand became popular with visitors from other provinces. The main beach is sheltered and so makes it warmer than most other beaches outside of False Bay. Also known as Melkbaai (Milk Bay) it is one of the safest in the country. There are great facilities nearby this beach, Waterworld which has a super tube and mini-golf (or as I know it, Putt Putt). Water sports can be done from different points along the beachfront.

Melkbaai looking to Gordon's Bay in about 1916

Melkbaai looking to Gordon's Bay 2016

Strand is at the heart of the Helderberg Basin with easy access to most wine routes, Somerset Mall and the absolutely stunning coastal drive past Gordon’s Bay to Hermanus, which is about 50 minutes’ away. There are various viewing points for easy access during the whale watching season. Fishing and diving excursions can still be arranged along this stretch of coast. 

Strand Golf Club 2016

Strand accommodates most requirements with three caravan parks and camping sites, numerous bed and breakfast facilities, timeshare and hotel on the beachfront. For those of you with discerning palates there are a wide variety of quality restaurants as well as the great family restaurants we all know.

Okay, let me tell you what its like to live here. Living here is all about the people, the fresh air, the beach and the mountains. Now that the municipality has upgraded the board walk along the 5 km white beachfront, people spend a lot of time walking, running and cycling. As a local I find my jog along the beachfront in the morning a fantastic way to start my day. The laid-back lifestyle has made it a very popular market for holiday rentals and second homes. There is also a very large stable community of permanent residents of which I am one. What makes it so great for me to live here is that it still has that small-town feeling which I love. In the morning when I take my two-minute walk from our apartment on Beach Road to our office, which is also in Beach Road (Yes, Yes, I know I’m lucky) it takes me 10 minutes because my neighbours stop me along the way to have a chat.

The fynbos trails in the mountains offer fantastic hiking trails and mountain biking trails. The Helderberg Nature reserve has beautiful bird watching opportunities and the most beautiful Proteas and fynbos.

I have also seen younger people buying up the older houses which are about two or three streets away from Beach Road and renovating them. So, there is a feeling of rejuvenation. I must say if you compare prices of properties in Strand to other beachfront resort towns around the country there are great opportunities and you do get value for money. 

If you have any property related questions do not hesitate to ask below, if I don't know I will find out for you.