Amble on St James Cat Walk

Sunday proved to be the most spectacular day.  Spring has arrived in all its glory.  I wandered the neighbourhood, admiring all the lovely flowers that have burst into glorious colour.  Here is one example:

Vygies simply can't help themselves.  They are so incredibly vivid and flower so copiously.  Here is another one:

I posted a daisy on Project 365.

Yesterday's hike was along the Muizenberg - St James catwalk.  This is a much favoured amble on a Monday morning.  On Project 365 is a lovely picture of the St James changing huts reflected in the St James pool.  What was particularly enjoyable about the walk on Monday, is that one of the walkers had a book which has been produced about the history of buildings along Muizenberg Main Road.  It was interesting to hear about some of our local heritage.  Here is another of what is becoming one of my favourite pictures:

These benches are enjoyed by many.  When one looks at the views that seem to go on forever, and the incredible blues of the sea, it is little wonder why.

Last night I went to photography club.  It is wonderful to see what people are doing with their cameras.  We are very fortunate to have international award winners in our club, so one can learn an incredible amount about photography just by seeing what they have done.

Mozart in the Methodist Church in Simonstown

Cleone and I attended a concert in the Methodist Church in Simonstown last night.  The conductor was a man by the name of Steve van der Merwe.  He is a doctor.  I couldn't help thinking to myself - 'I hope he delivers babies'.  I could just imagine them popping out like peas in a pod.  He is an excellent conductor.  The church was packed with people.  The music was superb.  There is something about a live orchestra that makes the music that much more beautiful.  I think it has to do with the very vivid perception of complete and utter harmony, and a group of people working together to make something incredibly beautiful.  The instruments and their gleaming wood and brass, and in this case a flute of gold, is a feast for the eye.  I did not take a photograph out of deference to the members of the orchestra.

Afterwards, we crossed the street to Cleone's Rose Vine Cottage, and had a peaceful glass of ginger beer whilst looking out across False Bay and the Simonstown harbour.  The bay was as still as a mill pond.  Another lost opportunity for a photograph.  I was so enjoying the peace and the scenery and the company, that I didn't fetch my camera from the car.

I did post a picture of yachts taken on my way into Simonstown.

Today is another perfect Cape Town day.  It is warm and balmy, not a breath of wind.  It is from now on until the start of the new year that driving in Fish Hoek, particularly over a weekend, becomes somewhat unpleasant.  It is not yet holiday season, but with Heritage day yesterday, and the very evident arrival of Summer, it is probably that all 'Kaapenaars', will have dug themselves out of bed, put kids and dogs, boom boxes and picnic boxes into the boot of the car and will be on their way to the coast.  

So today will be a walking day.  With so many gorgeous displays of spring flowers in gardens in an around the neighbourhood, I figure walking Bolle down the road with my camera will give me much on which to feast my eye.

National Heritage Day

It is quite scary how quickly time skitters and fritters away.  I last posted early, early on Tuesday morning.  

I spent the day with Bev on Tuesday.  We had a really lovely day.  Here is a picture of her pool, and the view that she has from her verandah out across the sea of Camps Bay:

I caught the train to Claremont.  Bev picked me up there.  We did some shopping, and then went through to her house.  Bev then dropped me off at Cape Town station where the trains were delayed :(.  I finally got back to Fish Hoek a bit late for knitting club, but walked up anyway and had a lovely time with a group of about 20 other beaverish knitters.  I posted a picture of Devil's Peak, as seen from Bev's house on Project 365.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent exploring work options.  I am making some headway in that regard, which is good news. Other pursuits on these two days were working on Christmas gifts which I am planning for friends.

Friday was another hiking day.  We hiked up through Newlands Forest:

I posted a picture of  beautiful waterfall that we saw on our journey on Project 365.  


I spent the afternoon with Cleone.  Cleone is a friend of mine from Toastmasters.  We went to her cottage in Glencairn, and then onto her cottage in Simonstown.  We haven't spent time together in ages, so it was good to catch up.  I am seeing her again later today.

And today is National Heritage Day.  I am about to go and do some shopping, and then resume the activities of Wednesday and Thursday.  I also aim to tuck in some gardening, which is an ongoing daily joy.

A little bit of happiness:  My blogs are now viewed in 10 countries.  Not bad for a l'il ol' South African chick :).

Hiking through farmlands in Constantia

Today's hike was through farmlands in Constantia.  Here are pictures of some of my fellow hikers:

Something of a surprise was to stumble upon a community of pear trees, simply bursting with blooms:

Afterwards, a lovely light lunch of fried camembert, with apple chutney and toast, with a good cup of coffee, and then home.

In the evening, computer club, where Elfi gave a lovely presentation of web-sites that she has stumbled upon in her journeys around the net.  Some were informative, some fun and some anachronistic.

A self indulgent day

It is very cold and wet.  That is ok.  Our dams will be a little fuller than they would be without it.  So today has become a self-indulgent day:  reading; scrabbling; catching up with light household chores.  Not much in the way of pictures today.  Here is one of some violas growing under a tree outside my back door:

I have posted one of a caterpillar on Project 365.

Coffee with friends

This morning I went through to Kommetjie to meet with friends for coffee.  We have a lot in common, so there was a constant buzz of friendly banter and loads of laughs.  We have a lot in common, these friends and I, so we could laugh both at and with each other.

Then I came home and spent some time in the garden.  Here is a marigold which sits amongst the veggies which are still from my first planting:

And some Zim creeper:

This afternoon I did some more origami.  I have posted my efforts on Project 365.

Hike up the Ridge

Today's hike started in Glencairn with the intention of going up the mountain to the Ridge behind Elsie's Peak.  What is so special about this hike is that from the Beacon at the top of the ridge, one has a 360 view of the Peninsula, into Fish Hoek across to Gordon's Bay and Hangklip, into Simonstown and across Noordhoek Beach to Kommetjie.  Between these coastlines, there are hectares of mountainside with many different species of Cape fynbos.

Below are pictures of the three different perspectives of the coast:

Fish Hoek, across to Strandfontein with the mountains as a backdrop

Noordhoek beach, with Kommetjie nestled in the left hand corner

Boulders and Miller's point on the way out of Simonstown going towards Cape Point

Some of the mountainside on our way up

Here is a picture of some of my fellow hikers sitting at the beacon on top of the Ridge, with Noordhoek beach behind them:

Today is a cause for celebration.  One year ago today, I made and actioned a decision which changed my life completely.  When I look back over the past year, slowly but surely I have confronted my fears and overcome them.  It is fitting that the views of the hike reflected a clear day when one can see forever.