There was a total lunar eclipse in in January this year but being in Cape Town we would only see the start before it slipped below the horizon.
I was not convinced it would be worth my while but in the end it turned out to be quite a good call to get up at 4:30 and head up to Signal Hill.
Scorpio sets behind a stand of Casuarinas in McGregor.
We did extensive upgrades on the house in Riviersonderend. One thing we really needed to do was the floors which were rotting
Follow the process if you dare.
First you tear up the floor.
Then you have a large hole, which you line with sand, lime and plastic
Then you put bearers and joists in.
And you end up with something that looks like this
Then you lay the floor boards. This done for us by genius floor person Munier Davids
Nearly finished
After sanding and three coats of varnish you get something like this
The floors in our house in Riviersonderend were rotting so we needed to replace them. Follow us on a floor replacement journey with Tertius and Reggie.
Starting the lift.
The dry rot is easily seen here:
Building the pillars and cutting the joist holes
Then sand and more bitumin
Plastic and lime, then the bearers
Nearly finished the bearers
Finishing touches
And it was snowing outside.
We went on a cruise with 2000 other birders looking for pelagic birds.
We got some really great shots and had a really good time. We left Cape Town in the late afternoon
Lions head and Table Mountain
The sunset was marvelous
Then next day, the birds
And then back again.
There is a video here
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We spent a weekend in Grootvadersbosch and the second night was really good for astronomy. Clear and near windless. Beautiful!
We went to Grootvadersbos recently and were treated to an amazing sunset as an electric storm raged just over the mountains.
I missed the lightning but got some really great pictures.
De Hoop and McGregor
This page old and a repeat from 2004. It is dedicated to the people who helped me fulfill a dream. I climbed up to the Wolfberg Cracks and went through the most spectacular of all of those cracks.
Who are those people?
My sons who cajoled me, blackmailed me and helped me to do the round trip.
Who allowed me to stand on their broad, young shoulders to get through the bits I would never have achieved alone.
My ISIS colleagues and their partners who egged me on, who pulled me through, yelled at me to suck my stomach in and left me in no doubt of their support.
Thank you one and all.
Special thanx to Dave who put it all together and got it all going.
Ok, now follow me into heaven and hell!
We stayed over in the chalets below the mountain Friday night.
Saturday morning, we were up bright and early.
“An hours walk! No more. Three hours for the round trip.”
Those little slits you see at the top of the mountain. Those are Wolfberg Cracks.
After two hours serious slog on a thankfully cool morning, we reached the mouth of the narrowest and most beautiful crack. Who is the “WE”? This is US.
On the inside of the crack looking out.
And in we go. Julia doing a fancy step in the middle ground.
Mike and I taking a breather. Actually, Mike being patient, while I catch my breath.
Yes you do have to go in there and yes, the spare hand is attached to another human further in the crack.
Stepping back and looking at the thing again.
Julia going in first. I had my first SERIOUS misgivings here.
Richard emerging from the crack.
You do actually emerge in one piece. And if you are wondering, yes I did that too.
Here is Dave, he did the round trip twice!
From here on in I will let the pictures tell the tale!.
Front to back: Julia, me, Mike and Richard
Yes, it is me and I am STILL on my feet. Only just, but still on my feet.
And it gets narrower!
And more difficult. That is Fred in the the red teeshirt doing impossible things with his legs, arms and back.
Mike and Julia, posing.
Sunday Relaxation. Maalgat, cold water and huge jumps.
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Terrapin in the Sun
Fiscal Fly catcher and babies
Tortoise
Tortoise
Flower in terrible dry conditions
Rooikat Trail, Vrolijkheid Reserve
Family Outing