Looking up you will see a lone hang-glider (parachutist) swooping back and forth on the thermals above Slangkop, always a favourite place when the southwester blows. A few years back, there was an accident when the ropes parted and the pilot fell to the ground. Amazingly, he landed in thick bushes and suffered a broken leg. Divine intervention? A line of sacred ibis fly overhead on silent wings.
Looking out to sea, the twin spout of a blowing humpback whale alerts us to its presence behind the waves. These behemoths of the sea are always passing by and if you look long enough, you may see them on any day. In the distance, huge ships plough through heavy swells, rising and falling in the troughs to give us a glimpse below the plimsoll line.
As we approach full moon (18h40) in fact right now, it seems as though the sea has been sucked towards the sky, with immense breakers in places I have never seen break before and monster swells on the horizon, perfect for dramatic photos, and of course I have left the camera at home. These pics are from my thousands of examples (the birds flew over today!). No surfers are out yet; perhaps later.
To the north is what I consider the best view in the world, across to Hout Bay, and to the south, the ever-present Slangkop lighthouse, there to warn ships of the dangerous reefs along this part of the coast.
And at your feet, the strikingly beautiful Ferraria Crispa, which grows in deep sand and rock along the coast. I first saw one here about 10 years ago and have only seen a few since then, but on close inspection I counted 15 - 20 either in bud or bloom over a fairly small area, and it appears that they are thriving. Always good news.
Never a dull moment on the boardwalk!
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