Spring flowers and surfing

It's completely still and silent in Kommetjie as I take the gap and walk up to Espresso for a cappuccino or two. The offshore wind carries the sound of the heavy shore break out to sea and there is no wind to rustle the leaves of the old gum trees lining the roadway. A pale blue sky frosted with ice clouds reaches endlessly out into the universe, crossed by the occasional bird or light aircraft enjoying a flip around the Peninsula on this perfect early Spring day.

At the coffee shop, that's the end of the silence, but the conversation behind me is fascinating - two surfing instructors exchanging tutorial experiences. Apparently the most important thing you should teach a novice surfer is how to avoid taking the board in the teeth - learn to fall away from the board. Makes sense! Yesterday was a practice for the Dungeons Big Wave challenge which will apparently take place mid-week when the next cold front arrives. For now the swells are down on yesterday, when Sunset was the place for all the action - a flotilla of watercraft bearing photographers clustered around the reef as the daredevils risked board and limb on some impressive waves. Outer Kom is pumping at low tide and this afternoon's high tide should bring swarms of spectators to the rocks to sit among the masses of daisies and enjoy the surfing.

A friend joined me and said a giant squid had washed up this morning at Long Beach, half the body cut away (either bitten, sliced or taken away by someone for a calamari lunch!) and ends of the tentacles missing. The initial diameter of the tentacles was about 4 inches and the remains of the body about 2 feet. Who knows what else lurks out there in the deep?

A walk on the island among the daisies was required before returning home for the - as usual - Sunday braai.