Second time lucky, it would seem. Yesterday’s trip to Noordhoek failed to score me a glimpse of Comet McNaught, but, undeterred, last night I once again made the trip over Ou Kaapse Weg to take another look.

It turned out to be the perfect evening for comet-spotting… and the sunny deck of Thorfynns Restaurant in Monkey Valley, Noordhoek, proved the ideal venue (is it just me, or did that sound just like something Top Billing’s cheesy scriptwriters would come up with?).

Uninterrupted views over the section of the Atlantic just where the sun sets, happy hour specials, great food – it almost felt just like being on holiday.

After a phenomenal sunset, and the appearance of the first stars, the comet finally made its blazing appearance (I was beginning to think it might not show) – just above and to the left of the setting sun.

It was superb. My photos hardly do it justice (not nearly enough zoom power!). It certainly put Halley’s Comet to shame (though that’s not that hard as anyone who kinda-sorta-maybe saw it back in 1986 will know).

It made for a magical evening… After all, how often does one get to sit outside on a deck, looking at this view? A night to remember, that’s for sure.

If you get a chance, go for sundowners at Thorfynns – the setting is superb (amongst the milkwood trees, overlooking the sea) the deck menu is reasonable (around R30 for a burger) and the staff wonderfully friendly.

Plus, if you like tequila, the kind they serve (during their 2-for-1 happy hour) is the good stuff and goes down ever so smoothly.

Thorfynns Restaurant is situated in the Monkey Valley Resort in Noordhoek. It’s open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tel 021 789 8008.