Misty Mountain

Voëlklip Circle, as rarely seen in season: no traffic! This morning as I did the school run at 7-ish, the mists came rolling down the mountain behind the circle. The rays of the sun did not yet reach the road, which made for a really awesome setting. By the way, the little garden on the traffic island is in full bloom and a really magnificent sight!

Bonaparte's Gate

I am a huge admirer of Napoleon Bonaparte. Imagine my surprise when one day I heard a rumour that an item which formed a huge part of Napoleon's life was right here in Hermanus ... the gate to the prison where he was held at St. Helena. Rumour has it that this gate is the exact one, brought from St. Helena to South Africa and then installed at a private residence in Hermanus. Apparently it is made of iron, and have been moulded together. When maintenance had to be done on it in Cape Town, it was so heavy that a special system had to be designed to transport it and also to re-install it in Hermanus. Exquisitely beautiful, whether the rumours are true or not.

A Distant Cousin Of Yours, Maybe?

Hermanus is home to several Baboon troops, the most notorious being the Voëlklip ("Bird Rock") troop. At home on the mountain slopes right off the residential area, they have become accustomed to people and can be seen especially on Mondays and Thursdays (refuge removal days), taking a leasurely stroll through the streets, picking through refuge bins and discarding whatever they don't find up to standard right there. Fascinating to look at (from a distance, through binoculars as they are wild animals and not pets), one is quickly reminded of exactly how close to human they really are ...

Blue Monday

A Perfect Blue Monday ... 20 degrees, clear blue skies. Today is one of those days that should have been right slap-bang in the middle of December. Moderate to warm temperatures, clear skies, not a breath in the air. A perfect day (maybe not for surfers). What a way to start the week!