Monthly Archives: March 2014
Blue-sky vineyards
Barren fields and wild game
If I recall correctly, I spotted a number of buck (perhaps springbok), as well as two or three ostriches scouring the field for bits and pieces to nibble on. I'm not sure, but I think this field belongs to Clara Anna Fontein, a private game reserve just outside of Durbanville.
I've actually never visited the reserve, but if you're in Cape Town and don't have time to visit our country's larger reserves, then consider doing a game drive at Clara Anna Fontein. I don't believe they have any of the big game, well, unless you consider blue wildebeest big game - but they do have zebra, springbok, ostrich, bontebok, eland and a variety of other wildlife roaming their small part of the Renosterveld.
Golden-orange vineyards
Seriously-speaking though, walking about on farmlands dirt roads in dry windy weather leaves one covered in an uncomfortable grimy-feeling layer of fine orange powder mixed with perspiration. Autumn's cool ~21°C weather is far, far, more desirable - and besides, the skies are bluer and filled with billowing clouds, and the farmlands are a beautiful mix of green and orange.
Shriveled black grapes
Tart red / sweet black
I decided to try one of the black and one of the red ones - just to compare. The black, slightly deflated, grapes were fairly sweet while these red ones were pretty much the opposite - a little tart. So, i had another slightly deflated black grape. :)
I'd never actually walked along a vineyard, eating grapes, and while I only had about 5 in total, I have to say that it was a somewhat pleasant experience. You should try it some day.
Autumn vine’s leaves
How many men does it take to put up a sign?
Has autumn arrived?
Love box
Milkshake no more
Visit Royale Eatery. Have a burger. Drink a shake. You're sure to enjoy it. :)
Jugs ‘o water
It's interesting how this norm in America is most often not even a consideration in South Africa, and how at times one has to ask for water more than once before it arrives - almost as though the staff delay the free drink so that one orders more paid drinks.
Our milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard
After leaving our breakfast spot where the food was ok, but the service and general vibe was unfriendly, we visited Royale Eatery for lunch; and milkshake of course! Royale are known for their lovely staff, gourmet burgers, and (as you can see from the photo) their interesting and delectable milkshakes.
Kerry-Anne, having had only a pickling for breakfast, had a Bergerac burger and since I'd already had a reasonable breakfast I just had a plate of sweet potato fries and a Lemon Cheescake milkshake (which, I recommend you try; if you like the feeling of pure bliss, that is.).
Our waitress more or less convinced me that next time I should try the Avocado & Mint milkshake. Have you ever heard of, and more, had such a thing? Avo in a milkshake? How strange.
Cafe Mojito on Long
Cinderella’s shoe of beads
I marvel at people ingenuity - being able to picture a shoe, or a bird, or a lizard in their mind's eye, and then being able to make it appear into existence using only beads and wires.
Blues, a personal white elephant
Palms on Victoria
Pedestrian crossing
The red brick road called Waterkant Street
That mobile crane again
Looking at the vehicle from this perspective, does it boggle your mind like it does mine to think that the crane is sturdy enough to pick anything up? It reminds me a little of how strange it is that big, heavy, airplanes manage to stay in the sky.
Ramping a crane into mid air
Observatory sidewalks
A safer 1m passing gap
The basics of the law is that cyclists must keep left (except under specific conditions) and not ride abreast (as in this photo), and cars must be darn careful and maintain a 1 meter gap at all times (as in this photo), and may cross the solid white line to abide by this law (as long as it's safe to do so).
Below is a summary of the responsibilities I mentioned:
The Regulations Require a Driver of a Motor Vehicle to:
- Exercise due care while passing the cyclist.
- Leave a distance between the motor vehicle and the cyclist of at least one meter.
- Maintain that distance from the cyclist until safely clear of the cyclist. However, motorists may cross a solid barrier line to pass a cyclist provided that it can be done without obstructing or endangering other persons or vehicles. If it is safe to do so, it can and is done for a period no longer than is necessary to pass the cyclist.
The Regulations Require a Cyclist to:
- Make the appropriate use of pedal cycle lanes where these are available.
- Give conspicuous driving signals as contemplated in National Regulations.
- Keep as close as possible to the left edge of the roadway.
- Obey road traffic signs and rules.
- Fit and use effective front and rear lights when riding in hours of darkness and when visibility is limited.
- Not ride on the right-hand side of a motor-vehicle proceeding in the same direction, except when passing that motor vehicle or turning right at the intersection.
- Not ride abreast of another cyclist proceeding in the same direction, except when passing that cyclist.
- Not ride while wearing a headset, headphones or any listening device other than a hearing aid or while carrying another person on the pedal cycle, unless the pedal cycle is specifically equipped to carry more than one person.
Source: Safety of Cyclists and Blue Lights Regulations Announced
Finally, then, to clear up some confusion (that I certainly had) - the law requires a minimum 1 meter gap be maintained when passing a cyclist, but the Pedal Power association promote keeping a 1.5 meter gap. The 1.5 meter gap is probably just to play it safe, in case motorists underestimate how far 1 meter actually is (and because trucks 'n trailers sometimes have pointy bits that stick out wider than the driver may realise).
So, I reckon we try to keep that 1.5 meter gap whenever possible - and let's be a little more careful with people's lives. Ok? :)
Not so very naked World Naked Bike Ride
The strange thing that I noticed while walking around the gathering spot was that there was (a) way more clothing this year, (b) way more spectators, and (c) far fewer riders.
Now, the reason why (in the title of this post) I'm focusing in on the fact that there was way more clothing this year is that... this is the World Naked Bike Ride, so I'd expected there to be a fair amount of nakedness - and there just wasn't, and that was weird.
The organisers made it perfectly clear that the amount of naked is everyone's choice (which I'd agree is a sensible position to take), but as a group the WNBR really wasn't a WNBR, in my opinion. :)
Come to think of it... I believe this is the first year that the ride has had an official permit - and I wonder if a more modest appearance was a proviso of the permit? Perhaps I missed the memo.
Pretty ‘n good coffee
As a side note, the coffee was pretty (in fact, really) good. In fact, I found myself wondering if it was Origin Roasting's coffee (which I still judge to be the best locally roasted coffee in Cape Town).
A favourite breakfast spot
But, try them both, early, on a good-weather day - you'll probably enjoy them. :)
Sweet treats
I felt like Augustus Gloop and really had to restrain myself no to dive over the counter and smash as many cakes as I could into my mouth before store security arrived.
Keep left to avoid a head on collision
The cracks in government
Caged
Into Green Market Square
The sad thing about the immediate surroundings is that the restaurants are actually shockingly-poor representations of what South Africa has to offer. We visited four restaurants located around the market and found service the service either to be extremely slow and unprofessional (even though the restaurants particularly weren't busy) or the food to be somewhat disappointing.
Perhaps we just picked the wrong restaurants, at the wrong time, but I can't imagine I'll ever be tempted to have lunch at a restaurant around Green Market Square again.