Birthday flowers

Yeh yeh, I know the Northern Hemisphere readers of this blog doesn't want me to keep on reminding them that it is spring down here and hence winter approching for them, but this isn't a spring flowers post. Although it could be. *wink* No, its a I'm giving flowers to myself birthday post. Twenty one plus VAT (which is 14 in SA). Like I said on my Facebook status, if I was a professional sportman I would be retiring soon. I usually take a self portrait on my birthday, so I reserve tomorrow's post for that as I haven't quite decided how to approach that this year.

Victoria and Alfred Hotel

I was hoping to get a couple of nice sunsets and other sky photos to use on Skywatch Fridays during my recent trip to Cape Town, but alas the weather didn't really allow it and the mountain was just about covered with clouds every day. So this is the closest I got to getting a nice sky picture. The sun reflecting on the water in front of the 4 star Victoria and Alfred Hotel at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.

If you want to see some more sky related pictures, visit Skywatch.

Spring has sprung

Today is Spring Day here in South Africa and I want to celebrate the arrival of this beautiful season with a flowery post.

We recently spent the day in the Gamtoos Valley and I found these flowering succulents just below the Kouga Dam wall which can be seen in the background. The sun was kinda in the wrong spot, but putting the sun behind me wouldn't have made sense as you wouldn't be able to see the dam. Plus the view the other way wasn't that good. Anyway, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy Spring and have a stunning day. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, I know you are glaring at the screen. So to you I want to say, "Go outside and enjoy what is left of Summer cause Winter has packed up down here and is heading your way."

Firefly note: Caroline is the Editor of Veld & Flora, the journal of the Botanical Society of South Africa, and a regular visitor to this here blog. She sent me some info on the flowering succulent in question.

"The succulent is BRYOPHYLLUM delagoense (Chandelier plant) Previously known as KALANCHOE tubiflora. Erect growing succulent. Cylindrical grey leaves with prominent darker mottling. Bears tubular orange flowers in clusters in winter. Produces offsets (plantlets) on the tips every leaf as well as many seedlings. Rapidly forms dense clumps in ideal conditions, invades hot, dry areas in the savannah regions of Northern Province, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Originates from Madagascar. "

Clifton Beach

The beach in Cape Town to be seen at during summer is Clifton Beach. But covered in bronzed bodies with skimpy bathing suites and designer sunglasses it wasn't when I stopped by last week on my visit to Cape Town. It was a bit too chilly for that. But summer is around the corner and I am sure there are a few out there in the mids of strict diets and gym sessions to get their "see and be seen" bodies into summer shape.

Clifton Beach consist of 4 coves and the beaches are called 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The coves are divided and littered with big boulders which make for great tanning spots out of the wind. In actual fact, when Cape Town's notorious summer south-easter blows, the Clifton beaches are usually well sheltered and over populated.

The Clifton properties overlooking Clifton Beach and the Atlantic Ocean are much sought after and way beyond the financial reach of the everyday person like me, but it stays one of the most stunning coastlines and settings in the world. The properties in the background are all against the lower slopes of Lion's Head and you will fork out anything from 5 million rand for a two bedroom apartment up to R20 - 40 million for a house. $1 = R7 and 1 British Pound = R11

Table Mountain, my mountain

I love Table Mountain in Cape Town. I have never lived in the Cape, but the mountain feels like my mountain. When I visit the Mother City the first thing I do when I approach is look for the mountain and the last thing I do when leaving is say goodbye to it. Its been a couple of years since my last visit and I got all tingly with excitement when I decided to drive down to Cape Town for the Survivor South Africa auditions last weekend. I would see my mountain again.

The mountain was hiding under its cloud blanket for most of the weekend,

but did show itself for a view across from Blouberg Strand on the Monday morning before I left.

Beach birds

A couple of kelp gulls on Kings Beach in Port Elizabeth with Shark Rock Pier and the old slipway at Humewood Beach background.

Cradock attractions

Its been a year or two since my visit to Cradock here in the Eastern Cape, but I found a couple of pics of attractions in the town that I haven't posted before.

The historic NG Moederkerk (Dutch Reformed Church)

The church was completed in 1868 for the local Dutch Reformed congregation that was established in 1824, a mere 10 years after the town received it’s name. The design of the church was based on the design of "St. Martins-in-the-Field" in London's Trafalgar Square. During the Anglo-Boer War the church roof was used as a lookout post by the British soldiers who occupied the town.

Cradock Four Memorial

The four Cradock activists – Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkonto, Fort Calata and Sicelo Mhlauli – were killed by policemen in 1985 on their way back to Cradock from a meeting in Port Elizabeth. Goniwe set up the Cradock Residents’ Association (Cradora) and took on the contentious issues of rent increases, which led to consumer boycotts of white businesses in the town. The murder made headlines and Goniwe and his comrades became known as the Cradock Four.

Schreiner House Museum

The museum is situated in the house where the world-renowned South African author Olive Schreiner lived from 1868 till 1870. The Schreiner House Museum houses Olive’s personal library, exhibitions depicting her life and those of her siblings, and copies of all the books she wrote. The bookshop at the Schreiner House sells a wide variety of books, including Schreiner’s most celebrated work, The Story of an African Farm, as well as other books by and about her.

The early 20th Century horse drinking trough

In the early days of most towns there were spots where the farmers would stop to water their horses and animals after a long journey. This horse drinking trough can be found in Frere Street and was commissioned by the Cradock Town Council in commemoration of King Edward VIII, in 1902.