Gamtoos Valley mountain silhouettes

Just after sunset the mountains of the Baviaanskloof west of Patensie turn into silhouettes against the colour changing sky.  Shortly after they turn transparent in the fading light before disappearing into the night.

So this is Christmas

Merry Christmas to all the followers of The Firefly Photo Files and Port Elizabeth Daily Photo.  Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful day.

 

 

John Lennon – So This Is Christmas

 

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

 

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun

Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now



Santa Clause is coming to town

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

Montagu view

For the last two summers we spent part of our December holidays in Montagu on both occasions and the town has crept deep into my heart.  This year we're not heading that far west and I already miss this beautiful place.  On our last visit I actually said that if I could find something there in my line of work I would really consider moving there.  So as you can gather, this is a "I miss Montague" post,

The picture was taken from Kanonkop looking across Montague West.  This is the part of town the river flows through and where the caravan park where we camped is situated.  Thanks to the Leidam and irrigation canals there is a lot more water on this side of town and thus greener gardens and more trees.  I really wouldn't mind a little place somewhere around there to escape to if I could.  Unfortunately it's just a tad too far for a quick visit, but looking forward to the next opportunity to pass through and spend a little time.

Ultimate Braaimaster inspired steak

To braai or not to braai? What a stupid question to ask most South African men.  Braai of cause.  South Africans' love for braai has led to a reality outdoor cooking (on coals) show called The Ultimate Braaimaster that airs on SABC 3.  Their motto is, Come rain or shine or wind or snow... we braai.  Enough said really.  Even though I haven't got the cooking skills to enter it myself the show is a source of inspiration for my own braais.  One of these inspirations came from Jacques and Nadia of team Good Better Braai who replaced cheese sauce with a melting Camembert in one of the latter rounds of the competition.  I just had to try it.  Medium t-bone, mushrooms fried in my little black pot over the coals and Camembert cheese wrapped in foil to melt before going onto the steak.  Served with oven fried potato wedges and fresh salad.  My mouth is watering all over again.  Think I should go and light a fire.  

Red sky sunset in the Karoo

Aaaahhhh, a sunset.  But not just any sunset.  A Karoo sunset.  A proper African sunset.

You can't help but smile when you watch a penguin

One of the things that Libby Sharwood at the South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) in Port Elizabeth always say is, "You can help but to smile when you watch a penguin." 

 

The African Penguin is highly endangered with only just over 20 000 breeding pairs left in the world, most of these right on my doorstep on St Croix Island in Algoa Bay.  SAMREC does an amazing job both in the care and rehabilitation of birds that come to them as well as with the education side through schools and visitors (both local and international) that visit the centre.  They do need people to do so much more than smile though.  They need people to act and the easiest way to act is to visit SAMREC as every cent made through the entrance fees collected goes straight back into penguin conservation at the centre.  Even better, adopt a penguin or sponsor one of the solar panels for their Penguins go Green project.