Fire on the Mountain

The white smoke drifting up into the china blue sky didn't seem like anything to get unduly worried about, but bitter experience in the Western Cape during these searing hot, dry summers has taught everyone not to ignore any fire, no matter how small.  Minutes later I heard the clatter and thud of helicopters overhead.

That's Lion's Head in the background.

The fire was between Lion's Head and Signal Hill and two helicopters were working in relay, orange buckets attached, scooping up water from the reservoir one road below my house.  My camera is always ready at the front door and in three minutes I was down at the reservoir, standing on tiptoe to reach over a wire fence and get a clear shot at the action.  Luckily, my husband came with me because it was quite a circus changing over from wide angle to zoom lenses, as the mood took me.  His training as a photographic assistant is coming along nicely!

Hovering over the reservoir, the blue and yellow helicopter scoops up a load of water ...

... work requiring the utmost skill, precision and concentration.

As the bucket fills up and the helicopter rises, the rotors send a spray over all the keen photographers clustered around the fenced off reservoir, quite refreshing in view of the 40 degree heat.  In the background can be seen the red and blue helicopter making its way with a full load of water towards the fire.

And we have lift-off.

Water squiggling from the bucket ...

 ... over the trees ...

... and across the face of Table Mountain.

Fire nearly out, the last trip of the morning.

And back to base camp.

We have experienced so many deadly fires this summer, exacerbated by intense heat and very strong winds, but some possibly due to arson. Lives have been lost, people injured and thousands of hectares of forest destroyed.  We owe so much to the courage of all our firefighters, in the air on helicopters and spotter planes, on the ground right at the face of the fires and in fire engines driving in a dangerous and desperate race through never ending traffic.

Latest note :
I have just heard on the radio that it is suspected that this fire was the work of arsonists.    One is left with a feeling of despair.  What is there left to to say?

Home from the sea

Hout Bay, a small town, at one end of the spectacular cliff hugging Chapman's Peak Drive, is jokingly but affectionately referred to by its residents as The Republic of Hout Bay.  Part of its charm is due in no small part to the fishing harbour, where brightly coloured boats sway gently at anchor and screaming gulls wheel overhead.

 Vessels painted in soft turquoise contrast pleasingly with a yellow boat, trimmed in royal blue, the whole set off by a scarlet fishing tackle box.  Even the name of one of the boats, Oceana Amethyst, seems appropriate to the palette of colours.

As well as an excellent seafood restaurant, there's a takeaway kiosk called Snoekies which sells the most marvellous fried battered fish and calamari, straight from the ocean, as well as the best french fries you'll ever taste.  There's nothing better than sitting on the rocks, dipping into steaming hot fish and salty chips, fragrant with lemon and vinegar, occasionally tossing a chip to a beseeching seagull as you watch the passing parade of fishing boats and yachts.

 The harbour is also home to numerous yachts, from luxurious ocean going and serious racing vessels to the smallest one person crafts.

Beautiful as all these larger views are, I am irresistibly drawn to the smaller scenes like this.  I looked down on to the water and saw this piece of wood floating on the surface.  It had obviously been used for painting the boats and, together with the coiled rope, somehow reminded me of a Jackson Pollock painting.

I'm not sure what this part of a boat's anatomy would be called but I thought it made an interesting composition.

And there's that orange again ...

Another boat in the Oceana fleet.

And one final picture to make the senses sing with joy, the primary colours, tied together with beautiful plaited rope.

The Colour Pink

Last evening, as I was passing the front door, closed on account of the howling south-easter which has now been blowing for a week, I did a double take and a quick pirouette as I saw this really, really pink glow through the glass window.  The trusty camera was at hand and I sprinted down the stairs, no shoes, out the gate and into the road.

Do you know just how painful tarmac can be for bare feet?  Any how, I made it to the steep road which leads up from the city and intersects our road, limped into the middle and took this picture. Cars drove past at ridiculous speeds, it must be said, and heads turned to see the wild-looking woman in old gardening clothes (including, I'm ashamed to say, the most disgraceful shorts).  Hopefully,  I wasn't recognisable with a large camera pressed to my face.

I always moan about the various overhead electricity and telephone cables and how they spoil pictures but then I noticed the interesting and intricate patterns they made against the glorious sky.

And then, within the space of about five minutes, the pink afterglow fled, the evening blue descended and I limped home.

People watching

When the weather's hot and there's a comfortable bench in the shade, what better way to spend some time than resting and watching the passing parade in all its interest and variety.

Or you can sit down an enjoy an icecream and let different rock bands and singers entertain you.

With no tripod, my daughter found a convenient pole to steady herself while taking pictures.

Seagulls constantly wheeling in great arcs over the harbour, add to the general hum of music and conversation with their plaintive cries.  This one, perched on a pole just below a restaurant which jutted out over the water, kept a beady eye out for scraps, his cries becoming more and more raucous, it has to be said.

A veritable United Nations of colourful flags.

The Spirit of Victoria moving gently to and fro as she lies at anchor in the harbour.  Imagine anchoring off a beautiful beach and sunbathing, your lithe, bronzed and toned body in a tiny white bikini - sigh ...

"No guts, no glory" reads the sign on this pirate ship above these headsof these little children.  After being deliciously "terrified"  of the teenage boys dressed up in pirate gear and flourishing cardboard cutlasses, they could hardly wait to be off to sail the ocean deep.

Meanwhile, their parents were probably thinking more in terms of something like this.

The more adventurous spirits, life jackets on and strapping themselves in place, prepare to leave on a high speed chase across the water.

All the elements of a working harbour and a place where Capetonians and visitors from countries all over the world can mingle and enjoy themselves in complete safety.

And finally, an unusual view of Devil's Peak and part of Table Mountain, with veils of mist creeping down the flanks of the mountain.

Over the Top Award

My thanks to the lovely and generous Simone for passing on this Over the Top award to me. Her warmth and encouragement are much appreciated.

Delphin Enjolras - Young Woman Reading by a Window

The Award

In terms of the award rules, I have to provide one word answers to the following questions :

Your cell phone?  Pesky

Your hair?  Impossible

Your mother? Missed

Your father? Charmer

Your favorite food?  Chocolate

Your dream last night?  Bizarre

Your favorite drink?  Milkshake

Your dream/goal?  Photographer

What room are you in?  Study

Your hobby?  Photography

Your fear?  Noise

Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Seaside

Where were you last night?  Study

Something that you aren’t?  Placid

Muffins?  Gimme!

Wish list item?   Canon F/1.2 Lens

Where did you grow up?   Haven't

Last thing you did?  Blogging

What are you wearing?   PJs

Your TV?   History

Your Pets?   Hadedas (large birds)

Friends?   Sister

Your life?  Rollercoaster

Your mood?  Dazed

Missing someone?  Grandkids

Vehicle?  Vespa!  (Scooter)

Something you’re not wearing?  Shoes

Your favorite store?  Orms (Photography Store)

Your favorite color?  Red

When was the last time you laughed?  Now

Last time you cried?   Christmas

Your best friend?   Sister

One place that you go to over and over?   Bettys Bay

Facebook?  Yes

Favorite place to eat?  Tokyo Sushi

I also have to nominate five blogs to pass on the award, but this is going to require some thought and reflection, so I'll get back to this task in a few days.