Naval Simons Town
68
Have you ever heard about Just Nuisance, a Great Dane that was buried with full military honours, well this is where he lived. He was a friend to the sailors stationed at Simon's Town and the only dog ever to be enlisted in the Royal Navy. He accompanied them by train to the City and back, he spent many an evening in city pubs, ensuring that the sailors got back to Simon's Town safely. Hardened sailors wept when he died as a result of injuries sustained when he fell off the back of a vehicle. He is the pride and joy of Simons Town!
Simon's Town was the Royal Navy's South Atlantic Base until the handover to the South African Navy. Strolling or driving through this town you get a feeling of history. Simon's Town has stunning views in the most beautiful environment of the Cape Peninsula. It is nestled on False Bay within easy distance of Cape Town International Airport.
Boulders Beach got its name from all of the nooks and coves that are tucked in among the towering boulders that offer shelter from the wind and the sun. This is a safe site for the inexperienced snorkellers and swimming for children. This water is quite cold throughout the year but still nice to cool down in. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a day on the beach between the penguins. Just watch out on your way down to the beach for penguins crossing the roads. It is such an amazing experience to be able to stroll down a beach so close to the penguins. They aren't tame but you could get pretty close to them.
Boulders are one of only two mainland Jackass Penguin breeding colonies in the world, they are also on the endangered species list. Simon's Town have an annual Penguin Festival that takes place in September which is definitely worth attending.
A must see in Simons Town is the Warrior Toy museum which have a permanent exhibition of old Dinky toys, dolls, Meccano, model cars, boats, trains, generally speaking toys! Very interesting to walk through the museum and see all the old toys of hey days.
Then if you would like to experience Simons Towns own ghost you will definitely have to visit the Simons Town Museum, which was built for the Dutch Governor in 1777 and it also replicates the Royal Naval Pub.
To see some of the old submarines and life size minesweepers, model ships and naval relics go o the SA Naval Museum.
CommentsLoading...
I was in Simons Town for a short week trip and being in the U.S. Navy I really enjoyed seeing the SA Naval base You have a great web site thanks for the hard work Sonny Rose RD3rd class U.S.S. Robinson DD 562
Thanks for this Hub Susann. My late father was a cadet on the SATS General Botha when it was still housed on a ship in Simon's Bay, the ex-RN HMS Thames, and during the war was stationed in the then SA Naval Forces on Robben Island. My late brother Chris was a cadet on the GB when it was still in Gordon's Bay. I was myself an OS on SAS Saldanha in the early '60s. So much connection with Simonstown and the story of Just Nuisance has of course been well known in the family.
It always brings a tear to my eye, when reading about Just Nuisance. He was loved by all, and as a huge dog lover, Just Nuisance was a hero to all.
Lorraine Coetzer
Johan 4 years ago
Hi It's great to know that people like you share the Just Nuisance story with other people. In South Africa we have Just Nuisance and the very famous Jock of The Bushveld.
I created a youtube video on Just Nuisance Senior sending down Just Nuisance Junior (and American Great Dane) to come and set the record straight on the rumours people are telling about Senior.
Enjoy
Johan Horak