Ships that pass in the night

With the seas around the Cape of Good Hope at an unprecedented level of flatness for the last week or two, it seems that some of the more unusual vessels are taking the gap and making the passage round our treacherous coastline. A few days ago a tug throbbed by, towing a barge loaded with 17 other barges! It made a very interesting sight and we have our local ship spotter to thank for all the details of the shipping that goes by. She does a great job in keeping us updated via Twitter. Unfortunately it was too far away to get a decent photograph but it was a wonderful sight nonetheless.

Last night I got a frantic Facebook alert, asking what was coming past Kommetjie. I rushed out onto the balcony and behind the roof which blocks most of my sea view (!!) I could see a huge orange glow and heard the steady throb of the accompanying tug. As the vessel hove into view, it was a spectacular sight - hundreds of lights illuminated what we assume was an oil rig, creating a virtual Christmas tree towering multiple stories against the blackness of the night sky. All stars and planets paled into insignificance as the rig slipped quietly by, much closer than we would expect it to be, and although it was a treat to see the lights, it would have been just as good to see it in the daylight.

While this behemoth dwarfed all other vessels, there was no lack of activity from the smaller fishing boats which have been chugging by, day and night, this way and that, filling their holds with the bounty of the sea, and once again, the sound of the outboards engines of small craft seeking red gold buzzed in from the sea like pesky mosquitoes, also evading swatting by the long arm of the law, which doesn't have the reach it used to.

Today the sea was up, with a good break at the Outer Kom and a fine drizzle most of the day but, as ever, it's unusual for a day to go by in Cape Town without the full range of seasons, and the sun is now sinking into the sea, reflecting its pink and gold light off wispy clouds, promising another astounding sunset.

Not tonight's, but similar!