I urgently need some rest and respite not too far away from my home. Cannon House is perfect. The view of the bay and harbor is magnificent, even for someone like me who grew up in Cape Town. The sunrise on a clear morning is otherworldly, the Hottentot Holland mountains across the bay silhouetted by a fiery glow on the horizon. I smile as I think of how this spectacle must startle visitors who were tricked by darkness into thinking that there were no mountains at all. The blinds filter the morning light, creating the illusion of a perpetually arriving sunset. Open the sliding doors a little and a gentle breeze lulls you back to sleep. Yet, it is sound that is so often the dealbreaker, the element that makes or breaks tranquility. Cannon House is tranquil. The sounds of birds accompany the solo traveller, and even the ocean responds to their calls. Holding all of this energy together is the kind and gentle host. I leave refreshed and filled with hope. This is the ancient role of hospitality.