The westerly wind direction made for a pleasant day in Kommetjie; the sea was flat and a light onshore breeze kept us cool even in the sunshine. However, it was not a day for the idle at this house - Sunday continues to be a day of work, as it is the only day of the week when sufficient are gathered to assist in the heavy duties of branch-cutting, cement mixing or plank planing. While others head off into nature for a stroll on the beach or in the mountains, perhaps a picnic down at Cape Point, we are up at sparrow's, walking the dog, then breakfast, then whatever He Who Can Fix Anything desires for us to do.
I can't say we are willing labourers, and we don't get paid, but in the end the effort is always worth the result, as despite much swearing from the foreman and impatient outbursts, he knows what he is doing and perfection is the only acceptable outcome. It is very tiring.
As the sun sinks into the sea, the end of the working day is declared and I am then asked what is for supper. After 40 years I should be used to it, but on occasion it would be nice to be let off the hook. Today, in anticipation of my last day at the office tomorrow, I suddenly felt energised to start sorting out cupboards and drawers, packing away winter clothes (tempting fate) and even doing the ironing (perish it!). Now I am listening to golden oldies on the radio in the golden light of sunset. The freshly washed dogs are lying at my feet - they have also had a spring clean in the run-up to Christmas - and it will be wonderful to stay at home with them again after being out every day. They really are too old to be left alone now.
So hooray for Monday, last day in the office, and looking forward to Tuesday! I have great plans ahead!
Sunday 30 November 2014
Saturday 29 November 2014
A walk along the Boomslang
The office function this year was a lunch at Kirstenbosch, and what better place to be on such a beautiful Cape Town day! After we were suitably replete, a walk was in order, and a slog up to the Boomslang was voted the preferred destination. It was quite and huff and a puff for some (notably me), but the professional hikers found it a breeze as we strode up the quaint old cobbled pathways of my youth. Little has changed except for seasonal plantings and growth of large trees.
The Boomslang didn't disappoint those who had not yet been along it, and the swaying of the walkway in the treetops caused quite a bit of clutching at the railings. A not altogether pleasant sensation!
The return trip took us across the lawns where the summer concerts are held, where shoes were kicked off to let the grass tickle our toes, and a really relaxing day was rounded off with pleasantries in the shade of the trees surrounding the lawns. An outing to be recommended to all who need to get back in touch with nature.
Friday 28 November 2014
Traffic giving me the pip
Friday traffic is a thing of the past for me. It will have to be a life-threatening emergency to get me on a road anywhere over Ou Kaapse Weg after 12 on a Friday, otherwise the chances of getting home again without an hour or more in traffic jams is a certainty. The incessant development of the South Peninsula is, as always, at the expense of those who already live there, by way of diminished lifestyle, stressful journeys for basic needs such as work and school with the added annoyance of the taxis who flout every rule of the road as they muscle their way through the queues, and about three hours wasted which should be spent with the family. Yet nothing appears to stand in the way of the desire of the developers to cover every available open space with tar and concrete in the hope of making a huge amount of money.
There should be no need for residents to desperately seek funds to pay lawyers to protest against these developments - the very people who have been placed in positions where they are supposed to look after the interests of ratepayers and preserve the land for future generations - indeed, public servants - act in direct opposition to the will of the people. A simple No should be all that is required. It is a sad fact that money talks, but it speaks the wrong language - it brings out the worst in people. And it is little wonder that bouts of extreme road rage erupt when people are forced to sit in traffic because the authorities seem unable or incapable of solving the problems through basic common sense.
A step in the right direction would be to make every person who works in the traffic department travel through the Sun Valley/Capri robots on a Friday afternoon. By the third week, they will have ripped out the robots and got the bulldozers out making roundabouts and a dual carriageway. Or at the very least, put a traffic cop on duty to override the lights - that should work like a charm. The fact that so many of our drivers have no right to even be on the road is, of course, a whole other story.
There should be no need for residents to desperately seek funds to pay lawyers to protest against these developments - the very people who have been placed in positions where they are supposed to look after the interests of ratepayers and preserve the land for future generations - indeed, public servants - act in direct opposition to the will of the people. A simple No should be all that is required. It is a sad fact that money talks, but it speaks the wrong language - it brings out the worst in people. And it is little wonder that bouts of extreme road rage erupt when people are forced to sit in traffic because the authorities seem unable or incapable of solving the problems through basic common sense.
A step in the right direction would be to make every person who works in the traffic department travel through the Sun Valley/Capri robots on a Friday afternoon. By the third week, they will have ripped out the robots and got the bulldozers out making roundabouts and a dual carriageway. Or at the very least, put a traffic cop on duty to override the lights - that should work like a charm. The fact that so many of our drivers have no right to even be on the road is, of course, a whole other story.
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Blown away
A wild wind swept in from the sea last night to let us know that winter is always lurking in the rear down here at the tip of Africa, with thousands of miles of open ocean lapping on our shores, eager to reclaim what was once hers. The wind whipped the tender shoots of spring from the trees, leaving chaos in its wake, like grass cuttings from a giant lawnmower waiting to be raked up into neat piles.
The gusts howling down streets between tall buildings swirled a stinging cloud of dirt and litter, making me spit grit and lean into the wind as if in a summer southeaster on Cape Town's Foreshore. Not a good day for a skirt. The mountains were fully draped in tablecloth mode, and the fog resembled a waterfall as it fell down the slopes and dissipated into thin air as it reached the foot. Another demonstration of the power of nature, against which we cannot compete.
This pic makes it look at though I am the only car on the road, and it's true, I had left the pack quite far behind, and certainly any mention of traffic jams appears to be gross exaggeration. There are some moments of compensation, and this view was one!
Behind me, the sky was completely overcast and Kommetjie was practically in the dark. Another Cape Town thing - four seasons in one day and sometimes only in one place.
The gusts howling down streets between tall buildings swirled a stinging cloud of dirt and litter, making me spit grit and lean into the wind as if in a summer southeaster on Cape Town's Foreshore. Not a good day for a skirt. The mountains were fully draped in tablecloth mode, and the fog resembled a waterfall as it fell down the slopes and dissipated into thin air as it reached the foot. Another demonstration of the power of nature, against which we cannot compete.
Behind me, the sky was completely overcast and Kommetjie was practically in the dark. Another Cape Town thing - four seasons in one day and sometimes only in one place.
Tuesday 25 November 2014
Fly like an eagle
A black eagle stared disdainfully from a rocky perch, aloof and secure in his supremacy at the top of the avian hierarchy, as I drove over Ou Kaapse Weg this morning. The unexpectedness of the encounter was almost enough to make me pull over for a lingering look, but as a carriage in the slow train attached to a clapped-out old van for an engine, I was denied the opportunity. I would imagine it is safe to say that I will never be lucky enough to observe a black eagle in such close proximity again, and also that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to allow my eyes to scan the landscape if it weren't for the slowness of the train. So it was, after all, a blessing in disguise.
He was close enough for me to discern his eye, his deadly yellow beak and powerful talons and for a long while the awesomeness of seeing such a magnificent bird basking in the early morning sun stayed with me. It was a good start to the day.
As for the rest of this exquisite day in Cape Town, it passed me by as I slogged in an airconditioned, windowless office, and from time to time I thought about my eagle, and envied it.
He was close enough for me to discern his eye, his deadly yellow beak and powerful talons and for a long while the awesomeness of seeing such a magnificent bird basking in the early morning sun stayed with me. It was a good start to the day.
As for the rest of this exquisite day in Cape Town, it passed me by as I slogged in an airconditioned, windowless office, and from time to time I thought about my eagle, and envied it.
Monday 24 November 2014
A very small muttering
Nearly 9pm and a crescent moon hangs above a still glowing horizon on this windy but warm evening in Kommetjie. A few planets are visible among a scattering of stars starting to appear - the major components of the constellations that have guided travellers on this earth since humanity began. When humanity departs this earth - and it seems as if it hasn't got long to go if our stay here is dependent on peace, love and harmony - these stars and planets will continue to spin in what we call 'space' without having been in the least affected by the crazy goings-on on a very minor rock orbiting a rather insignificant star in an outer spiral arm of a not-terribly-large galaxy.
We could save ourselves a lot of stress by remembering our place in the universe, as mankind continues to fight for dominance over everything that exists on earth, and particularly each other. It's worth a thought that, in the end, what was it all about?
We could save ourselves a lot of stress by remembering our place in the universe, as mankind continues to fight for dominance over everything that exists on earth, and particularly each other. It's worth a thought that, in the end, what was it all about?
Sunday 23 November 2014
Keeping us In the dark
Having flirted with disaster by mentioning that I felt cheated because there was no load shedding last night, when I was all prepared for it - light attached to battery, kettle boiled, candles in strategic places, matches in an accessible place - I woke up this morning at 6 to find that the lights had gone out. As a special treat, our end of Kommetjie, near the lighthouse, was allocated a 6-hour blackout for reasons unknown.
The weather was foggy - passing ships were sounding their foghorns, an eerie rasping boom drifting in across the sea - but there was no wind and an occasional patch of sunshine broke through on our walk along the boardwalk. By the time we got home, cloud had moved in, but the lack of electricity meant that there was nothing to do except work in the garden, and so I spent a pleasant few hours pulling weeds. Of course, no watering could be done as the pump couldn't operate. It was 10am before we realised that the rest of Kommetjie was unaffected and I hotfooted it up the road for provisions and a cappuccino.
The lights came back on at 12.30, when I could start the first load of washing, and HWCFA could get the power tools going! Refurbishing of the planks on the house carried on apace, while I got back to the computer to finish some deadline work.
When we first moved to Kommetjie 32 years ago, power failures and surges were common down our road. The infrastructure was poor at the time and has just got worse. We have always had a good supply of paraffin lamps in the cupboard! Last night I was told that, rather than keep on fixing the wires on the poles, which are always causing fires in trees and other exciting events, they have started laying underground wires. I hope these are not going to cause a proliferation of cable thieves in the area, because if so, I can think of a fine use for a cable myself!
The weather was foggy - passing ships were sounding their foghorns, an eerie rasping boom drifting in across the sea - but there was no wind and an occasional patch of sunshine broke through on our walk along the boardwalk. By the time we got home, cloud had moved in, but the lack of electricity meant that there was nothing to do except work in the garden, and so I spent a pleasant few hours pulling weeds. Of course, no watering could be done as the pump couldn't operate. It was 10am before we realised that the rest of Kommetjie was unaffected and I hotfooted it up the road for provisions and a cappuccino.
The lights came back on at 12.30, when I could start the first load of washing, and HWCFA could get the power tools going! Refurbishing of the planks on the house carried on apace, while I got back to the computer to finish some deadline work.
When we first moved to Kommetjie 32 years ago, power failures and surges were common down our road. The infrastructure was poor at the time and has just got worse. We have always had a good supply of paraffin lamps in the cupboard! Last night I was told that, rather than keep on fixing the wires on the poles, which are always causing fires in trees and other exciting events, they have started laying underground wires. I hope these are not going to cause a proliferation of cable thieves in the area, because if so, I can think of a fine use for a cable myself!
Saturday 22 November 2014
Getting things done
A modicum of normality has returned to the home of He Who Can Fix Anything. Now that the championship has been decided and racing is over for another year, some household projects can be tackled. The return of our son from London is viewed as a blessing (I now have home and garden help!) and all those niggly jobs are being ticked off. Of course, HWCFA is still trying to rule the roost, but even he has had to admit that the kids are all grown up now, even though they are all at home, and his word is no longer law! However, the law has never had to be laid down, and life is good.
I consider myself fortunate to have them still here, as with my octogenarian parents and sisters. The family remains intact on my side and Saturday mornings will generally find us brunching at a local nursery or maybe even the mall in inclement weather. It's a good way to catch up on each others' week, as we all lead busy lives - Mom and Dad in particular, who are always out at some interesting event, day or night. We tend to bump into another family of long-time friends (50 years or so, although it seems hard to believe), who are in similar circumstances and also enjoy a Saturday morning brunch at the nursery.
Even the plants in my garden have a history. The George lily that grows so prolifically in a pot on my balcony is from the original stock that my grandmother gave my mother way back in the 60s (or maybe even the 50s!) and have continued to multiply over the years. Today the first flower of the season burst open, completely unexpectedly, providing a splash of red among the greenery. It is a most rewarding bulb, with short leaves and a bloom that is substantial in proportion to the size of the plant. Last year I had continuous flowering for weeks, and I'm hoping this will be another good year.
I consider myself fortunate to have them still here, as with my octogenarian parents and sisters. The family remains intact on my side and Saturday mornings will generally find us brunching at a local nursery or maybe even the mall in inclement weather. It's a good way to catch up on each others' week, as we all lead busy lives - Mom and Dad in particular, who are always out at some interesting event, day or night. We tend to bump into another family of long-time friends (50 years or so, although it seems hard to believe), who are in similar circumstances and also enjoy a Saturday morning brunch at the nursery.
Even the plants in my garden have a history. The George lily that grows so prolifically in a pot on my balcony is from the original stock that my grandmother gave my mother way back in the 60s (or maybe even the 50s!) and have continued to multiply over the years. Today the first flower of the season burst open, completely unexpectedly, providing a splash of red among the greenery. It is a most rewarding bulb, with short leaves and a bloom that is substantial in proportion to the size of the plant. Last year I had continuous flowering for weeks, and I'm hoping this will be another good year.
Friday 21 November 2014
Distraction
I lost my ergonomic backrest today in a scenario reminiscent of Raising Arizona (those of you who are not familiar with this movie would be well advised to acquaint yourselves with this cult classic from the Coen brothers).
My office chair is of the 'large male executive' variety - completely unsuitable for working on a computer at a desk or for someone who is too short to either sit right back or touch the floor, and so I use an additional backrest for support. I need to work over the weekend, so I took it home when I left the office.
A further part of the saga involves a R50 note and a small cappuccino, of which the short version is that I had a handbag full of loose change with which to effect an exit from the parking garage. I placed the backrest on the roof of the car, and was scrabbling for the coins with my bag on the bonnet. Of course, they were in the furthest depths of the bag and in different divisions. A large Merc had evidently decided that my parking spot was where it should be parked and, as it was idling impatiently, I swept everything back into the bag, climbed in and reversed out. He didn't indicate that anything was amiss.
At the booth, I forked out handfuls of coins to the lady, who failed to say, "You have something on your roof" - she must have thought it a white, middle-aged lady idiosyncracy - nor did the driver of the car waiting behind me, although a simple hoot might have done the trick.
Soon I was out in the traffic and, at the first robot, I looked in my mirror and noticed a funny thing lying in the middle of the road about 50 metres back. Of course, there was no way of doing a U-turn and leaning out of the open door to snatch back my backrest, and so I drove on, naturally pretending it had nothing to do with me.
Perhaps a bergie will pick it up and find it useful. At least I know I must have caused a few laughs on a late Friday afternoon!
My office chair is of the 'large male executive' variety - completely unsuitable for working on a computer at a desk or for someone who is too short to either sit right back or touch the floor, and so I use an additional backrest for support. I need to work over the weekend, so I took it home when I left the office.
A further part of the saga involves a R50 note and a small cappuccino, of which the short version is that I had a handbag full of loose change with which to effect an exit from the parking garage. I placed the backrest on the roof of the car, and was scrabbling for the coins with my bag on the bonnet. Of course, they were in the furthest depths of the bag and in different divisions. A large Merc had evidently decided that my parking spot was where it should be parked and, as it was idling impatiently, I swept everything back into the bag, climbed in and reversed out. He didn't indicate that anything was amiss.
At the booth, I forked out handfuls of coins to the lady, who failed to say, "You have something on your roof" - she must have thought it a white, middle-aged lady idiosyncracy - nor did the driver of the car waiting behind me, although a simple hoot might have done the trick.
Soon I was out in the traffic and, at the first robot, I looked in my mirror and noticed a funny thing lying in the middle of the road about 50 metres back. Of course, there was no way of doing a U-turn and leaning out of the open door to snatch back my backrest, and so I drove on, naturally pretending it had nothing to do with me.
Perhaps a bergie will pick it up and find it useful. At least I know I must have caused a few laughs on a late Friday afternoon!
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Fire!
Today's hot news seems to be the fire on Fish Hoek mountain! The valley is filled with thick smoke, a helicopter has been bombing it with water all day and there were 8 fire engines outside my sister's house. So I have updates from the horse's mouth, in a manner of speaking. She informs me that the helicopter pilot has gone home to sleep, having done a great job, but the fire is still burning due to a tremendous amount of thick and very dry vegetation. We have had very little rain since August so everything is dry as a bone, with the strong southeasters fanning the flames furiously. Fire engines and fire fighters remain on alert to protect property in case the wind rises again in the night, so everyone can rest easy while these fine members of society keep us safe.
This mountain hasn't had a fire since 1999, and it has caused a stir in Fish Hoek, with everyone posting photos on Facebook, each from a different angle and at a different time, with accompanying comments. The advent of digital cameras, smartphones and social media has revolutionised news reporting. Never in the history of the world have so many people had so great an opportunity to cover current events with the minimum of equipment, even less training in the use of correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, no need to spend hours in 'hair and makeup' before going on air and nobody to tell them how to do it.
I think I must be the only person who didn't take any photos as I was driving at the time, but if you want to see any, just google 'Fish Hoek fire' and I'm sure you will have a choice of thousands of sites! Isn't modern technology great?!
This mountain hasn't had a fire since 1999, and it has caused a stir in Fish Hoek, with everyone posting photos on Facebook, each from a different angle and at a different time, with accompanying comments. The advent of digital cameras, smartphones and social media has revolutionised news reporting. Never in the history of the world have so many people had so great an opportunity to cover current events with the minimum of equipment, even less training in the use of correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, no need to spend hours in 'hair and makeup' before going on air and nobody to tell them how to do it.
I think I must be the only person who didn't take any photos as I was driving at the time, but if you want to see any, just google 'Fish Hoek fire' and I'm sure you will have a choice of thousands of sites! Isn't modern technology great?!
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Time passing quickly
Well, we're still taking a beating from the southeaster after three days! It's bringing hailstorms up north, I believe, so havoc reigns. Par for the course at this time of year. My garden will survive if I can just get enough water on it, but leaving home at 6.30 doesn't give me much time. This morning I woke at 3 and watched the sky lighten at 4, followed shortly thereafter by the first cock's crow. By 5 I decided I might as well get up, as the wind wasn't too hectic and it was really lovely out in the garden so early. Perhaps this is the ideal time to get up, before the world has started to move around and everything is peaceful; only the twittering of the early bird catching the worm disturbed the air.
Driving over Ou Kaapse Weg was a delight, as ever, despite being buffeted all over the road by the wind. As you can see from the picture, cloud cover was low, a sign of a the famous black southeaster - doubtless named after everyone's mood after three days! The mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, and the lakes and False Bay sparkled in the early sunlight. Traffic has eased somewhat now that the school year is drawing to an end, allowing for the odd turn of the head to enjoy the view without riding up the back of the car in front.
Work continues apace, and deadlines are being met left, right and centre. Only 9 more working days in the office and then it's back to normal. It will be like being on holiday all over again.
Work continues apace, and deadlines are being met left, right and centre. Only 9 more working days in the office and then it's back to normal. It will be like being on holiday all over again.
Saturday 15 November 2014
Getting rid of that stress and strain
I was lucky enough to have another Chinese massage today and for those who read about the first one a few weeks ago in my blog, I am thrilled to announce that it was not nearly as agonising this time. This indicates an improvement in the parts of the body pinpointed by the most painful areas pummelled and massaged by strong hands. As before, thyroid, right kidney and stomach were identified, and these are the ailments currently benefiting from my restricted eating regimen.
Most people consider massage and particularly Chinese methods of healthcare to be a self-indulgent luxury, and yet it is the way to prevent disease, rather than trying to cure them once they have become established. Too many people rely on pills to ease the symptoms, but that old adage, prevention is better than cure, was never more true than in today's world, where everything we eat is contaminated in some way and stresses placed on us by society are contributing to a world health crisis. I believe that by opening our minds to a simpler way of life, which includes that very important component, looking after yourself first to ensure that you are fit to care for others, should be embraced.
If you haven't ever had a massage, do yourself a favour. If you have and it was so painful you never want another, that is exactly why you should. Your body was telling you it's unhappy!
So now I'm looking forward to the next one!
Most people consider massage and particularly Chinese methods of healthcare to be a self-indulgent luxury, and yet it is the way to prevent disease, rather than trying to cure them once they have become established. Too many people rely on pills to ease the symptoms, but that old adage, prevention is better than cure, was never more true than in today's world, where everything we eat is contaminated in some way and stresses placed on us by society are contributing to a world health crisis. I believe that by opening our minds to a simpler way of life, which includes that very important component, looking after yourself first to ensure that you are fit to care for others, should be embraced.
If you haven't ever had a massage, do yourself a favour. If you have and it was so painful you never want another, that is exactly why you should. Your body was telling you it's unhappy!
So now I'm looking forward to the next one!
A few thoughts in a traffic jam
All work and no play is definitely making Jill a dull girl. Creativity takes a back seat when the mind is confronted with materiality and conformity. Being forced to fit into a box when I have never been a square has made me determined to continue to seek the best possible lifestyle on my own terms. That is not to say that there aren't times when I am happy to conform, but it must always be for the right reasons.
Sitting in the gridlocked traffic yesterday provided plenty of free time for reflection on how we are giving up all sorts of freedom to pay bills and buy bigger cars, bigger houses, pay for education, medical expenses, etc. not to mention food, while overlooking the real purpose of life, which is to live close to nature, appreciate what is free, be kind to everyone you meet and look after your body while you have it.
I freely admit to being very impatient in traffic, and I have come to the conclusion that the reason for general road rage and intolerance of the ability of other people to affect our daily lives hinges on the fact that in South Africa we have possibly one of the most unregulated existences, where traffic laws (I won't go to the rest of them!) go largely unenforced and so we all feel entitled to basically do what suits us. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I personally am not in favour of large-scale regulation, but unfortunately that can only work in a society where the population is endowed with an enlightened outlook and any fool can see that it is not working here! The result is that everyone is king of the road and selfish behaviour is an affront to our ego. The potential solution is to let it ride - allow that taxi to pass on the left shoulder, make space for the big 4x4 to squeeze in front of the queue, let the old man wearing a hat hold up the traffic at 50km/hr - he must eventually get to turn off!
But, oh, all so much easier said than done!
Sitting in the gridlocked traffic yesterday provided plenty of free time for reflection on how we are giving up all sorts of freedom to pay bills and buy bigger cars, bigger houses, pay for education, medical expenses, etc. not to mention food, while overlooking the real purpose of life, which is to live close to nature, appreciate what is free, be kind to everyone you meet and look after your body while you have it.
I freely admit to being very impatient in traffic, and I have come to the conclusion that the reason for general road rage and intolerance of the ability of other people to affect our daily lives hinges on the fact that in South Africa we have possibly one of the most unregulated existences, where traffic laws (I won't go to the rest of them!) go largely unenforced and so we all feel entitled to basically do what suits us. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I personally am not in favour of large-scale regulation, but unfortunately that can only work in a society where the population is endowed with an enlightened outlook and any fool can see that it is not working here! The result is that everyone is king of the road and selfish behaviour is an affront to our ego. The potential solution is to let it ride - allow that taxi to pass on the left shoulder, make space for the big 4x4 to squeeze in front of the queue, let the old man wearing a hat hold up the traffic at 50km/hr - he must eventually get to turn off!
But, oh, all so much easier said than done!
Friday 14 November 2014
Getting wet in more ways than one
A helicopter with a bucket flew by our offices in Claremont this afternoon - indicating a fire that was in an inaccessible place and a possible danger. A while later we heard that Ou Kaapse Weg was closed due to the fire and we would have to take the long route - not fun on a Friday when the route is always clogged with commuters all trying to get home at the same time. Living in the Deep South can have serious disadvantages due to the lack of alternative routes in the event of an accident, although in good times we are happy to live there.
By the time I left at 4pm, the weather had taken a turn for the worse - the heavens had opened and a strong wind was blowing down the slopes of the Newlands mountain, battering the unfortunate pedestrian commuters who surely had not anticipated a wintry return home after a pleasantly mild start. Cloud cover was low and the volume of water falling from them assured me that the fire would be out by the time I got there. It nearly was, and 6 or 8 fire engines and other assorted firefighting vehicles lined the road, while the firemen trudged along the mountain to beat out the resistant flames. They must have been very happy to have rain helping them, especially as the wind was so strong.
I too, was happy with the rain, although not that enchanted with the 50 minute wait to get through the Sun Valley robots. I'm sure that any government official who had to sit in that lot every day would ensure that the robots were re-set to a more acceptable time interval, or at least have a traffic cop on duty to supervise the flow - that always works perfectly with no waiting or snarl-ups. The ideal solution would be to remove the Capri robot and put in a roundabout, but the ideal is never what we get. The silver lining was in the clouds that cleared as we waited and blue sky and sunshine appeared on the far horizon. You can't say weather doesn't change quickly in Cape Town.
After a long day, I was even less enchanted to find that it was my turn to have the dog wee on my bed (sorry for blaming you, Biggles!) which is the second time this has happened. It seems that poor blind Susie is becoming an invalid - I foresee a nappied future! So the bedding is currently in the machine and things are somewhat chaotic in this household. Roll on December.
By the time I left at 4pm, the weather had taken a turn for the worse - the heavens had opened and a strong wind was blowing down the slopes of the Newlands mountain, battering the unfortunate pedestrian commuters who surely had not anticipated a wintry return home after a pleasantly mild start. Cloud cover was low and the volume of water falling from them assured me that the fire would be out by the time I got there. It nearly was, and 6 or 8 fire engines and other assorted firefighting vehicles lined the road, while the firemen trudged along the mountain to beat out the resistant flames. They must have been very happy to have rain helping them, especially as the wind was so strong.
I too, was happy with the rain, although not that enchanted with the 50 minute wait to get through the Sun Valley robots. I'm sure that any government official who had to sit in that lot every day would ensure that the robots were re-set to a more acceptable time interval, or at least have a traffic cop on duty to supervise the flow - that always works perfectly with no waiting or snarl-ups. The ideal solution would be to remove the Capri robot and put in a roundabout, but the ideal is never what we get. The silver lining was in the clouds that cleared as we waited and blue sky and sunshine appeared on the far horizon. You can't say weather doesn't change quickly in Cape Town.
After a long day, I was even less enchanted to find that it was my turn to have the dog wee on my bed (sorry for blaming you, Biggles!) which is the second time this has happened. It seems that poor blind Susie is becoming an invalid - I foresee a nappied future! So the bedding is currently in the machine and things are somewhat chaotic in this household. Roll on December.
Tuesday 11 November 2014
This and that
The southeaster read yesterday's blog and we awoke this morning to a completely windless day (3km/hr) with wispy cloud to keep us intermittently warm and cool. I speak only on assumption, as my days are currently spent in a communal office with no windows or airconditioning and I could as well be in Timbuktu as Claremont. A brief jaunt around the office block to wake myself up at lunchtime revealed that there had been no change in the weather since setting out from the Far South, and the home run was more of the same.
After a quick rush around with chores - bring in the washing, feed the birds, take chicken out of the deep freeze and cook dinner, water the garden and iron tomorrow's blouse - I settled before the computer to put in a few extra hours (5 to be exact) of work on tax legislation in South Africa. The evening is by far the best time of day for me - I would rather start work at lunchtime and leave at 7, I am beginning to suspect.
A small flock of flamingos were in the Kom when I drove past this morning, a welcome and always cheering sight, their squabbling sounding like a bunch of grumpy old men as they sort out the pecking (or rather, dredging) order in the shallows. They are very elegant in flight, with long outstretched necks perfectly balanced by equally long legs at the other end, and it's a real treat to see them coming in to land. They seem to be quite nocturnal in their movements, arriving and departing at all hours of the night more than in the daytime.
Sundown brought us yet another spectacular Kommetjie sunset - we have been very spoiled for choice this year, with every evening's cloud formations trying to outdo the day before in terms of intensity of colour and crepuscular rays - there have been more Hallelujah sunsets of late than I can ever remember. I think nature is trying to catch our attention and let us know that we are not focusing on the important things in life!
After a quick rush around with chores - bring in the washing, feed the birds, take chicken out of the deep freeze and cook dinner, water the garden and iron tomorrow's blouse - I settled before the computer to put in a few extra hours (5 to be exact) of work on tax legislation in South Africa. The evening is by far the best time of day for me - I would rather start work at lunchtime and leave at 7, I am beginning to suspect.
A small flock of flamingos were in the Kom when I drove past this morning, a welcome and always cheering sight, their squabbling sounding like a bunch of grumpy old men as they sort out the pecking (or rather, dredging) order in the shallows. They are very elegant in flight, with long outstretched necks perfectly balanced by equally long legs at the other end, and it's a real treat to see them coming in to land. They seem to be quite nocturnal in their movements, arriving and departing at all hours of the night more than in the daytime.
Sundown brought us yet another spectacular Kommetjie sunset - we have been very spoiled for choice this year, with every evening's cloud formations trying to outdo the day before in terms of intensity of colour and crepuscular rays - there have been more Hallelujah sunsets of late than I can ever remember. I think nature is trying to catch our attention and let us know that we are not focusing on the important things in life!
Monday 10 November 2014
Hold onto your hats!
We're clinging on for dear life here at the edge of the sea, as the southeaster rages across the South Peninsula, hell bent on blowing us all away, and who would blame it? At least it's keeping the cyclists off the road; even cars are battling to keep a straight line, November is traditionally the month for persistent gale-force southeasters and while we look forward to the herald of summer, it only takes about an hour and we start to bitterly complain about dust in the houses, billowing curtains, slamming doors, knots in our hair, skirts around our ears, but most of all, the havoc wreaked in the gardens.
No sooner have the tender buds of spring burst forth and new growth appeared on twigs than the scorching wind dessicates and blackens them, setting back growth by a few weeks, and in many cases, completely snapping young branches - my tomato plants, which only two days ago were looking like prize specimens, are hanging limply over the side of the container, reminiscent of seasick passengers on the SS Vomiting Venus.
It's a Cape Town thing - complaining about the wind. It's a great conversation filler and we all feel a sense of togetherness as we cower from the swirling gusts and spit grit. A few years ago there was a famous 10-day blow, which put everyone in a state of extreme aggression - well, imagine living for 10 days with a galeforce wind - it brings out the worst in us.
But like the pangs of childbirth, the instant the wind drops, we have a marvellous capacity for forgetfulness and sunny smiles soon break through. I'm looking forward to it.
No sooner have the tender buds of spring burst forth and new growth appeared on twigs than the scorching wind dessicates and blackens them, setting back growth by a few weeks, and in many cases, completely snapping young branches - my tomato plants, which only two days ago were looking like prize specimens, are hanging limply over the side of the container, reminiscent of seasick passengers on the SS Vomiting Venus.
It's a Cape Town thing - complaining about the wind. It's a great conversation filler and we all feel a sense of togetherness as we cower from the swirling gusts and spit grit. A few years ago there was a famous 10-day blow, which put everyone in a state of extreme aggression - well, imagine living for 10 days with a galeforce wind - it brings out the worst in us.
But like the pangs of childbirth, the instant the wind drops, we have a marvellous capacity for forgetfulness and sunny smiles soon break through. I'm looking forward to it.
Saturday 8 November 2014
A close 2nd again!
So He Who Can Fix Anything (haven't heard about him in a long time, have we?) came second in the Fine Car Championships again this year. Only 5 points behind the winner, which was a Porsche, compared to his 1969 Escort 1600! Despite being nowhere near crossing the line first, on handicap HWCFA was pretty much ahead until today, but the superior power of the Porsche allowed the driver to push it to the limit - risking a complete wipeout - and the consequences are not worth that extra risk just for a #1 decal on the car next year. I would think it's a bit of a hollow victory for the Porsche considering what he was up against.
Who knows if HWCFA will race again next year? I hope not, because I'm rather tired of the stress and strain of preparation, the foul language wafting up through the floorboards from the garage on weekends as various engine parts are hammered apart and hammered together again, and of course the lack of any home maintenance for 10 months of the year! He professes to enjoy it all, but I think that maybe it would be better after all to retire while still ahead of the pack. The new younger drivers are throwing money into their sport, while HWCFA has always done everything on a shoestring and without modifications. The results have shown that he is a superior driver. What else is left to prove?
Who knows if HWCFA will race again next year? I hope not, because I'm rather tired of the stress and strain of preparation, the foul language wafting up through the floorboards from the garage on weekends as various engine parts are hammered apart and hammered together again, and of course the lack of any home maintenance for 10 months of the year! He professes to enjoy it all, but I think that maybe it would be better after all to retire while still ahead of the pack. The new younger drivers are throwing money into their sport, while HWCFA has always done everything on a shoestring and without modifications. The results have shown that he is a superior driver. What else is left to prove?
Friday 7 November 2014
Hot and bothered!
Thoughts of roast chicken have flitted across my mind today. That d-a-a-a-a-r-n rooster next door cleared his throat at 4.50 this morning. Such a rude awakening allowed me to watch the full moon sinking down towards the horizon as the sky lightened. It also made it possible for me to observe the first rays of dawn catching the cliffs above Hout Bay and the Back Table. But it robbed me of another 45 minutes sleep which definitely affected my energy levels today. The temperature of 30 degrees didn't help, nor did the 40 minutes in the late afternoon stuck between the Sun Valley robots help. Rather than catch heatstroke through the window or overheat the engine, I pulled into the Longbeach Mall to do a little grocery shopping rather than tomorrow.
As I approached Mugg & Bean, a chair was pulled out for me to sit on, a menu and a newspaper appeared as if by magic and I was asked if I would like my usual cappuccino. Now that's how I like to be received at a restaurant! I succumbed to a pot of tea (much too hot for coffee) and a small salad before filling a trolley with vegetables, fruit and a few pieces of lamb. It was now an hour later and as I approached the robot, I could see that, far from having cleared, the traffic was now backed up way out of sight over Ou Kaapse Weg!
Some 40 minutes later I pulled into the garage at home, where the kids had fortunately sorted the household and were on their way out. It's going to be a quiet evening on the couch for me!
As I approached Mugg & Bean, a chair was pulled out for me to sit on, a menu and a newspaper appeared as if by magic and I was asked if I would like my usual cappuccino. Now that's how I like to be received at a restaurant! I succumbed to a pot of tea (much too hot for coffee) and a small salad before filling a trolley with vegetables, fruit and a few pieces of lamb. It was now an hour later and as I approached the robot, I could see that, far from having cleared, the traffic was now backed up way out of sight over Ou Kaapse Weg!
Some 40 minutes later I pulled into the garage at home, where the kids had fortunately sorted the household and were on their way out. It's going to be a quiet evening on the couch for me!
Thursday 6 November 2014
Vast vistas across Cape Town
This morning's drive to work was an absolute delight. Crisp morning air afforded an almost endless vista to the furthest mountains of the Western Cape that are visible from the top of Ou Kaapse Weg and it would have been criminal to miss a photo opportunity as the traffic train wound up and over the snaking mountain pass. It was one of those days that had to be caught early, as the southeaster was set to build up into quite a blow later, and 6.30 was ideal.
As we approached Wynberg, the traffic ground to its usual incompetent halt, but truth to tell, who could complain about a 15 minute crawl up a hill in such splendid surroundings? The removal of the looming pines that had lined the freeway for years has opened up the views from Muizenberg to Devil's Peak and the lush greenery of the southern suburbs is a far cry from a concrete jungle. As we creep over the rise, the road is lined with agapanthus about to burst into summer bloom, a number of the silvertrees so beloved by Capetonians familiar with the slopes of the Newlands side of Table Mountain cling to life among the exhaust fumes, swathes of honeysuckle drape themselves decoratively over the armco barriers and a fig tree is reaching out from the undergrowth, self-seeded with the help of a fruit-eating bird some years back.
I have noticed that, in the few years that have elapsed since I last worked in town, people seem to have adopted a more philosophical approach to the drive into work - speeds have dropped, lane-changing is less frequent and there is acceptance that we will all eventually get there. Just don't stress. Chill out, turn up the music and enjoy the views!
I have noticed that, in the few years that have elapsed since I last worked in town, people seem to have adopted a more philosophical approach to the drive into work - speeds have dropped, lane-changing is less frequent and there is acceptance that we will all eventually get there. Just don't stress. Chill out, turn up the music and enjoy the views!
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Password problems
What a day at work today! We have a complicated system of passwords protecting the documents which we are working on and they are left off at peril of dismissal. Having had minimal training in this regard (perhaps a brief mention), I managed to send some documents by internal email to a colleague without a new password (not knowing that the existing one was no longer in operation) and was soon apprised of my error by The Boss. Dismissal is not an issue when you are on a short-term contract, but I was still very unhappy about my poor performance and spent the rest of the day deleting excess files and passwording the rest.
One particular file had been edited and sent to the academic in charge, who had returned it as approved. Turns out it had no password (didn't notice) and my changes had not been effected. So I was having a good old gripe with my colleague next door (we are in a communal office) about slackness, etc. The wrong password had been used by him the first time and so we decided to change it to the correct one and send it back for approval, in the hopes that he would take about an hour to figure it out. I somehow had assumed that he worked in the Johannesburg office.
Well, I later established that he in fact is in the same office as us (how's that for poor communication and not knowing your colleagues!). I at least have the excuse of only being on my fourth day there, but she has been working near him for months! He wasn't in the office for most of the day, but I have a horrible feeling that he may have been there for the changing the password story! Time will tell!
One particular file had been edited and sent to the academic in charge, who had returned it as approved. Turns out it had no password (didn't notice) and my changes had not been effected. So I was having a good old gripe with my colleague next door (we are in a communal office) about slackness, etc. The wrong password had been used by him the first time and so we decided to change it to the correct one and send it back for approval, in the hopes that he would take about an hour to figure it out. I somehow had assumed that he worked in the Johannesburg office.
Well, I later established that he in fact is in the same office as us (how's that for poor communication and not knowing your colleagues!). I at least have the excuse of only being on my fourth day there, but she has been working near him for months! He wasn't in the office for most of the day, but I have a horrible feeling that he may have been there for the changing the password story! Time will tell!
Monday 3 November 2014
Keeping us in the dark
This load-shedding schedule is causing much confusion, as it seems to be rather random. Our 2 1/2 hours yesterday was only for 15 minutes, fortunately for us, but just long enough to rush around lighting candles and making sure as many items were turned off to prevent destruction through a power surge when it came back on, only to have to reset all the clocks and timers a short while later. For those who don't live in SA, we have times when the electricity is cut off because of the government's policy of nepotism, corruption and general incompetence. One can only wonder how long it will take for the penny to drop and capable people are re-employed in important positions. A disturbing feature of last night's brief blackout (which would have been quite welcome if the skies had been clear for stargazing) was that the lighthouse did not automatically continue to flash. It seems as though that area of vital services has also suffered from official policy.
We are having odd weather right now, with rain coming from up-country in the form of thundershowers accompanied by awe-inspiring flashes of lightning snaking across the sky, and yet no thunder was heard. Even little Susie, who becomes a jelly-like quivering wreck at the first distant rumble, showed no signs of distress. The steady rain has been most welcome as early summer is showing signs of turning into a hot, dry season and I don't have time every day to standing at the end of a hosepipe. The air has been cleared of all traces of smog and the light this afternoon was magnificent as I made my way home over Ou Kaapse Weg. I managed to snap a few shots which will give you an idea - wisps of cotton wool cloud drifted around the lower slopes of the Table Mountain chain - an unusual occurrence as we are generally leaning into a strong wind from one direction or the other - giving a mystical air to Cape Town with the quietness that comes with an overcast sky.
We are having odd weather right now, with rain coming from up-country in the form of thundershowers accompanied by awe-inspiring flashes of lightning snaking across the sky, and yet no thunder was heard. Even little Susie, who becomes a jelly-like quivering wreck at the first distant rumble, showed no signs of distress. The steady rain has been most welcome as early summer is showing signs of turning into a hot, dry season and I don't have time every day to standing at the end of a hosepipe. The air has been cleared of all traces of smog and the light this afternoon was magnificent as I made my way home over Ou Kaapse Weg. I managed to snap a few shots which will give you an idea - wisps of cotton wool cloud drifted around the lower slopes of the Table Mountain chain - an unusual occurrence as we are generally leaning into a strong wind from one direction or the other - giving a mystical air to Cape Town with the quietness that comes with an overcast sky.
Sunday 2 November 2014
Lazy Sunday afternoon
It is as all Sunday afternoons should be - lying somnolent in the shade looking upwards and out into the far reaches of the universe, cunningly disguised as an overarching canopy of palest blue. Swallows swoop and soar as they feed on summer's early bugs and a lone gull wheels far, far above me, enjoying the freedom of the thermals and nothing else to do.
Closer to the earth, a breeze rustles the new leaves on the creeper and the smell of slightly scorched potatoes wafts over the wall from next door. Golden oldies are playing on the radio, bringing memories of younger days when a Sunday afternoon would be spent on the beach or sailing in the bay. Various small aircraft criss cross the skies - the tourist season has begun - and earlier a Virgin Airlines plane did a leisurely circle over the Peninsula to treat the passengers to an awesome view of the fairest cape in all the circumference of the globe. If only Sir Francis Drake could have seen it from the air! His superlatives would have known no bounds!
All this pleasurable beauty is due to change - apparently this afternoon! The weatherman has forecast cloud and thundershowers, and time is surely running out for his prediction to materialise. No sign of a blot on the skyscape as I write, but Cape Town is fickle and we may well see a drop or two by tonight. Rain is forecast for the next two days, so I will rely on the weatherman and spend a little longer looking up and outwards while the sun shines so obligingly.
Closer to the earth, a breeze rustles the new leaves on the creeper and the smell of slightly scorched potatoes wafts over the wall from next door. Golden oldies are playing on the radio, bringing memories of younger days when a Sunday afternoon would be spent on the beach or sailing in the bay. Various small aircraft criss cross the skies - the tourist season has begun - and earlier a Virgin Airlines plane did a leisurely circle over the Peninsula to treat the passengers to an awesome view of the fairest cape in all the circumference of the globe. If only Sir Francis Drake could have seen it from the air! His superlatives would have known no bounds!
All this pleasurable beauty is due to change - apparently this afternoon! The weatherman has forecast cloud and thundershowers, and time is surely running out for his prediction to materialise. No sign of a blot on the skyscape as I write, but Cape Town is fickle and we may well see a drop or two by tonight. Rain is forecast for the next two days, so I will rely on the weatherman and spend a little longer looking up and outwards while the sun shines so obligingly.
Saturday 1 November 2014
The Sunflower Fund
Spent a most enjoyable time at the Sunflower Fund fundraising event at Hotel Verde at Cape Town International Airport today. The Sunflower Fund is an organisation that manages a databank of bone marrow donors (a match is found at a ratio of 1:100 000 - so you can imagine how many donors are required) and the funds are used to pay for the sampling of potential donors so that no expense is involved for them. Bone marrow donors no longer go through the long and painful process of the early days and it now involves blood donation only. Anyone who wishes to become a donor and fits the criteria should contact The Sunflower Fund at 0800 12 10 82 and they will establish whether you are suitable. There are obviously very strict criteria to ensure that you do not have anything bad to pass on!
The Hotel Verde, as its name suggests, is the only fully 'green' hotel in Africa, and is totally self-sufficient in electricity generation and all the other requirements for 'greenness'. I only saw the public places and was very impressed by the tasteful decor and abundant greenery. An excellent coffee was served by an obliging barista at the bar who, on being asked by my companion whether the machine offered decaff, said no, but he would make a plan, and within a short time we were both sipping on our choice of beverage. I am told that this is a characteristic of the staff at this hotel - going the extra mile - something often sadly lacking in the hospitality trade in Cape Town.
Entertainment was fun, informative and participative, with the inimitable Jenny Morris aka the Giggling Gourmet arriving on the pillion of a Harley-Davidson to footstomping music, a run-down on how to look your best even when popping out for milk and a loaf of bread, tips on easy and delicious cooking (I was the lucky recipient of the sample!) while being served champagne, wine and lunch. A well-known drag duo did MC duties, a great song-and-dance routine and an auction which generously boosted the coffers. Jenny had the audience taking notes on how to take revenge on a rival for a partner's affections amid much hilarity.
I would estimate that a considerable number of new donors will be found through the dedicated efforts of the ladies who form the backbone of this worthy organisation.
The Hotel Verde, as its name suggests, is the only fully 'green' hotel in Africa, and is totally self-sufficient in electricity generation and all the other requirements for 'greenness'. I only saw the public places and was very impressed by the tasteful decor and abundant greenery. An excellent coffee was served by an obliging barista at the bar who, on being asked by my companion whether the machine offered decaff, said no, but he would make a plan, and within a short time we were both sipping on our choice of beverage. I am told that this is a characteristic of the staff at this hotel - going the extra mile - something often sadly lacking in the hospitality trade in Cape Town.
Entertainment was fun, informative and participative, with the inimitable Jenny Morris aka the Giggling Gourmet arriving on the pillion of a Harley-Davidson to footstomping music, a run-down on how to look your best even when popping out for milk and a loaf of bread, tips on easy and delicious cooking (I was the lucky recipient of the sample!) while being served champagne, wine and lunch. A well-known drag duo did MC duties, a great song-and-dance routine and an auction which generously boosted the coffers. Jenny had the audience taking notes on how to take revenge on a rival for a partner's affections amid much hilarity.
I would estimate that a considerable number of new donors will be found through the dedicated efforts of the ladies who form the backbone of this worthy organisation.
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