Sunday, July 18, 2021

Clifton and Camps Bay Evenings

We went on two walks in the last week, taking advantage of gaps in the very wet wintry weather. The first started with the intention of walking through Clifton to Fourth beach but, driving there, we decided to stop and take a photograph of it from a different angle and parked near the conjunction of Kloof Road and Nettleton Road. A breathtaking view. We then decided to just continue walking along Kloof Road above Clifton to see what the sunset would look like from there

Three friends were enjoying the view from a bench, and John did spot some beverage to to enjoy while the sun set

A favourite spot for people to enjoy the sunset is from the top of Lion’s Head. You can walk up there, but it’s not for the aged and the those that cannot cope with heights. There are sections with chains to aid your ascent. You can just see people up there, even on a winter’s day. How they get down in the gloaming is a mystery, head torches presumably. Perhaps roped together? 

Planted along the roadway, a magnificent Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia Regina)

These are some of the most valuable properties on what is known as the Platinum Coast. It is extraordinary how closely built they are, perched on the cliffs. A garage came up for sale and went for R1 000 000. Space is at so much of a premium

In the '60s, John's Godfather built one of the first houses there at a cost (then) of R250000; people questioned his sanity

We heard chirping and found a tree full of Guinea Fowl getting ready to roost for the night

So we stood and watched the sun go down right there before walking back up the hill and home for supper. The pathway was not too busy with walkers and runners but, sadly, not all the walkers were wearing masks. The rules say that well-spaced runners do not need them 

Four days later, we headed towards The Glen and Camps Bay for another walk
There are several entrances down to the beach and this one is a continuation of The Glen forest and winter stream

Rather a tropical undergrowth

One almost expects to see parrots but, of course, they are not indigenous to the Cape

Two flowers that proliferate in Winter and early Spring are the Arum and the nasturtium

and then, suddenly, sight of the thundering winter sea

Glen beach is often underwater in winter but is very pleasant in summer and much used by surfers, as the surf off the rocks is very good. However, it is very dangerous for swimming as it has many cross currents, undertows and tidal rips. There have been deaths here from people who are not familiar with the dangers of the sea 

Locals walking their dog

and others waiting on the rocks for sunset

There is great view of the back of Table Mountain, known as the Twelve Apostles; yes, there are twelve peaks

We climbed on the rocks and had a great view of Camps Bay and its beach

The numnum plant, which produces a sort of sour edible plum, aka Natal Plum or Carissa macrocarpa
It often grows near the sea and makes a rather spiny thick hedge

Looking back at Glen beach and Lion’s Head. Property here is very, very expensive and does not often come on the market. Who wouldn’t love to live here; we certainly would. It has the same advantage as Clifton, it does not get the summer South Easter wind. However, both do get the full face of our North Westerly winter wind. Camps Bay High School is behind to the extreme left, just next to where the window is reflecting the sun

It’s a wild winter sea and it roars as the waves crash on the rocks

People are only allowed to walk their dogs on Camps Bay beach at certain hours and certain times of the year. This is obviously one of them. The dogs love racing up and down the sand after being cooped up at home

You can see the cable car station at the top of Table Mountain. This is the view from its side

Sunset on the way

It’s a good beach for beachcombing, fine white sand, lots of flotsam and not a lot of jetsam

You often see photo shoots or filming on the beach
You do need a Council licence if it’s commercial activity

Evening conversations

Two exhausted dogs who had been happily tearing up and down the beach
chasing each other and a large Great Dane
It was very amusing to watch; so much energy

The clouds pinking up as the sun gets lower. When Lynne first came back from London for a look in 1992,
to see if she wanted to come back, she rented a flat in Camps Bay and this was her evening walk
before going to the local supermarket and then home to make supper. Great memories

Whom shall I chase now?

The sun lights up the mountain

and we discovered this very strange object

and its explanation

Camps Bay beach front has many restaurants, although we do not know how many have survived the many lock downs in the last year and a half. It is extremely popular with tourists, when we get them, who want to sit, eat and drink and be merry in sight of the sea. May they be able to return soooon, the country needs them

We like the seating art piece, we can work together...


We were approached by this young man who introduced himself as Kaya from Malawi, who wanted us to see his many artworks, which he sells. His name means home, safe place or wise child in Africa. It has been a lean time for him. Sadly we do not carry money or cards, but you can see how talented he is. He says this is his daily pitch on the sea front at Camps Bay

Our local MyCiti bus waiting to take workers home

Crazy surfers in wet suits risking the icy water and strong waves

And paragliders landing after having jumped off Lion’s Head or Table Mountain

The sunset 

Magnificent in all its glory

then the dying of the light

and time to go home

Darn, we could have used these torture machines to have a good work out. Perhaps another time .... ?

Another art work, a sofa made out of shards called Swell by Aidan Bennetts


Storm clouds gather as we 'jog' back to the car. Well, Lynne made 15 running steps before running out of puff. It was uphill. Baby steps.... We need more walks. And a container ship heads for port



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Thursday, July 08, 2021

Mouille Point Evening Photo Essay

We do feel rather trapped in our homes during a lock down, especially when we know that there is a very infectious strain of Covid going rampant. But we do need fresh air and a regular change of scene so, late on Sunday afternoon, we decided to take a walk on the beachfront at Mouille Point. Anyone going for a walk in the evening on the Sea Point, Mouille Point and Bantry Bay beachfront can say that the area has literally gone to the dogs. Dogs, on and off leads, were having a great time on the lawns while their people exercised. South Africans love their animals, domestic and wild

Rain clouds over golfers on a tee at the Metropolitan Golf Club
with Green Point, Signal Hill and Devil's Peak in the background

Well, you have had your run, now I need a stretch

The last houses left on the beachfront
Can the owners resist the offers developers may make to build a block of flats on the space?

If they sell, will the Guest House next door also succumb?
With restaurants closed, they seemed to be doing good business with take-aways

There are a lot of homeless people at the moment and they are forced to beg as they get little support
He is not admiring the view, but looking for potential donors. Who knows where he will sleep tonight...

The start of the promenade, next to the Mouille Point beach

where we met a very enthusiastic husky enjoying his time on the beach

I'm watching you; the alert ice blue-eyed husky watches

The Green Point Lighthouse does good duty at this time of year, although most ships do have good electronic navigation
First lit on 12th April 1824, it was the first solid lighthouse structure on the South African coast
and is the oldest operational lighthouse in South Africa

Most people we saw were wearing their masks

Rain clouds coming in and the surf is up
Even though we live about 65 metres above the sea, we hear it roaring at night, quite a soporific sound

As the waves go back, water runs through gaps in the rocks

Daughter, dog, Dad, waiting for Mum to catch up

There were quite a lot of walkers, but everyone we saw kept well separated

Dogs, who have just met, having a wonderful romp on the lawns
No cares about masks or social distancing

This is a good space for exercising dogs
We saw runners, cyclists, skate boarders, power walkers and many, like us, just strolling and enjoying the fresh air
The city of Cape Town's sewage outlet is in the sea 2 kilometres off this Point and if the North-wester is blowing,
which it was, the air is sadly tinged with its reek. You don’t smell it in summer. Masks helped

The setting sun sends down rays of golden light in a spray from behind a cloud as sunset begins at 5.30pm

Looking back at the Mouille Point promenade and flats

and forward at the Sea Point sea front

Vroom, vroom: this one actually had an electric motor and an enthusiastic future Formula 1 racer

The setting sun begins to light up the windows of the apartments as walkers start to head home

Children enjoying the playground

There were many ships waiting in the Roads, this one was heading up the coast

Beauty in motion, the grace and wonder of flight

The rain began and we had to run to the car and head home for a good fire and Sunday night supper

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