A true November southeaster is howling across the Peninsula, sandblasting the legs of beachgoers and cars travelling along Baden Powell Drive on the northern shore of False Bay. I am always amazed that the little strip of tar which runs along the beach from Muizenberg to almost Somerset West has survived all these years. In places it is barely 50 metres to the sea with just a gentle sloping down from the road. After a good blow, the road is completely covered in sand and closed to traffic, and then the wind changes and shifts it all back onto the beach. It is the scene of many car adverts, as those who are familiar with the area will testify - the Peninsula seems to be a favourite destination for car adverts and film shoots, both local and international, and it never fails to give me a thrill to recognise 'home' on the TV.
Off Kommetjie, the waves are blowing out to sea, struggling to make it ashore even though the full moon has brought a high tide this afternoon, and a tiny yacht is motoring by, not even attempting to put up a sail. The moon is at apogee at present (meaning furthest distance away from the earth - use the word afar to remember the a in apogee) and so is having a slightly lesser effect on the tide than normal. It is also the smallest full moon we will see, but don't worry, you won't notice - it is meaningless in the greater scale of the universe.
Tonight (or rather at 3.30 tomorrow morning 29 November), there will be an occultation of Jupiter by the moon, whereby the moon will pass in front of Jupiter in a form of eclipse. If you are up at that time, go outside and have a look. Hold a pencil over the moon otherwise you won't see it!
The wind is set to blow like this for about 4 days - the Cape Doctor is going to cure us of all the germs and smog that are hanging about after a long winter. The sea on the Atlantic side will become crystal clear and turn the colour of a quiet Mediterranean bay.
Isn't nature wonderful - so much to observe and all for free.
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