Tag: Western Cape

Whipstock Farm Astrophotography

Post author By Richard
Post date 3 May , 2022

High up above McGregor in the Breede River Winelands is a dark sky site par excellence – Whipstop Farm. The skies are dark and the horizons are low enough not to become intrusive.

Orion setting into the light pollution of Worcestor

The only down side of the site is the light pollution from Worcester but it is far enough away to be minimally intrusive. The rest of the horizons are pretty much clear of light pollution. Even Cape Town doesn’t really feature.

The light in the trees is from a nearby chalet. There are areas away from the chalets, but the management were happy to kill the lights for me.

Scorpio rising with the Milky Way in attendance.

I liked the effect of the lights on the trees so I left the lights of my chalet on for effect.

The famous alignment with Jupiter and Venus very close together

I was fortunate enough to be there during the great alignment with Jupiter and Venus almost touching. Such a beautiful sight.

Separated by a long telephoto lens accompanied by much swearing. The two planets were incredibly bright in the morning sky.

If you fancy some good dark skies, this is the place Whipstock Farm

Tags Astro-photography, Western Cape

Flowers Travel Western Cape

A trip to the West Coast National Park

Post author By Richard
Post date 28 August , 2021

The west coast of South Africa is a dry semi-desert region with an average rainfall of 280 mm (12″). For most of the years the vegetation is low scrub and thorn bushes with patches of dry dusty ground. In August after the winter rains things change dramatically. The flower come out in raging colours. This display lasts three months and by the end of October the flowers are gone and the dry dusty veld is left.
We drove up to Langebaan in mid August after good winter rains and enjoyed the glory of the flowers

The flowers spread across all the open ground and wild profusion. If you drive through quickly you only see the carpet of flowers. If however you stop and look, there is a wealth of beautiful flowers hidden within the showy flash of white, yellow and orange.

Tags Cape Town, flowers, Photography, spring flower, Travel, Western Cape

flower Fynbos Western Cape

Flowers

Post author By Richard
Post date 30 June , 2020

This post will be updated regularly with pictures of flowers from the Fynbos biome in the Western Cape, South Africa. The flowers were photographed all over the place and I will not be giving localities because some are so old that I cannot remember where I took the pictures.

Tags flowers, fynbos, Photography, Western Cape

Video

Clouds over Lions Head

Post author By Richard
Post date 25 June , 2020

Video of clouds around Lions Head

Tags clouds, lions head, Table Mountain, Western Cape

Passes Travel Western Cape

Sir Lowry’s Pass

Post author By Richard
Post date 9 September , 2019

This pass crosses the Hottentot Holland Mountains. It separates Cape Town from the Boland.

Tags pass, Western Cape

Passes Travel Western Cape

Houwhoek Pass

Post author By Richard
Post date 9 September , 2019

The Houwhoek Pass is a small, fairly insignificant pass just outside Cape Town. In the following video we are approaching from Bot River and heading toward Cape Town

Tags boland, houwhoek pass, pass, Western Cape

Astro-photography Cape Town Photography Table Mountain

Nighttime over Gardens

Post author By Richard
Post date 14 August , 2018

Living in Gardens Cape Town is a privilege. The views are extraordinary. Here are some night time photos. Venus and the moon in close conjunction.

Tags Astro-photography, Cape Town, Photography, Table Mountain, Western Cape

Hiking kloof Trail

Tierkloof Hiking Trail – Gammkaberg

Post author By Richard
Post date 11 April , 2018

Some 30 km outside of Calitzdorp in the Western Cape is the Gammkaberg Nature Reserve, run by Cape Nature. There are a number of trails in the park, the longest (two days) is the Tierkloof Trail that runs up the Tierkloof canyon stops at Oudkraal, an over night camp and then returns to the base camp the next day. Both days distance is about 14 km. The scenery is magnificent and the going moderately hard. The first day ends with a climb of about 450 m over 3 km. The second day is easier with a sharp down hill and then fairly flat all the way home. I recently hiked this trail and it is, as claimed one of the more beautiful hikes in the Western Cape.

The base camp.

Setting out

The trail is built on and around the river that carved the klook (canyon). The river does not run often so this is not a problem. It could get tense though….

Elements of the Cape Fold Mountains can be seen.

Thorn trees growing in the riverbed.

Trail markings are very good, this is an informal one that took my fancy

At Overhang, about halfway there and back.

Overnight camp – Oudkraal.

Sunset is a special time

And the stars are spectacular

Down again.

And relax

Enjoy the sunset

Before the long road home

More pictures here:

Tags Gammkaberg, Hiking, kloof, Photography, Tierkloof, Travel, Western Cape

Riviersonderend Western Cape

New Floor in the Riviersonderend House

Post author By Richard
Post date 18 July , 2017

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.