Ttartisan17mmf14

I overcame my trepidation and found the path up from the Blockhouse to the scout hut - most of the way to the top. I got lost and got my legs scratched up a few times. The route is very poorly marked. I can’t help thinking without other information that rescue services could save a ton of money by simply putting good markers and clear information on the paths. Anyway. Now I’ve found the path I can extend my route even to Maclear’s Beacon - the highest point on our modest little mountain.

Lots of drama on the mountain today. A big fire was raging above Kirstenbosch seemingly. Throughout my extended hike the Apocalypse Now thudding of Hugheys flying constant relays to dump water on the fire. Pic 2 shows what it looked like when I first started my walk. It’s much reduced now but I still hear the helicopters from home. @johnthevudio is hard at work on the fire line I believe.

More ambling around Kirstenbosch taking pictures with the old man. I thought not bringing my bird photography rig would have brought out the Orange-Breasted Sunbirds. There were certainly plenty of their favourite ericas in bloom. But not a feather was to be seen. Still a lovely morning out though.

Another Kirstenbosch pic. Photography wisdom says dappled light through leaves doesn’t work. And that wisdom is probably right. I’m impressed at how sharp my cheapie ttartisan 17mm f1.4 is when stopped down to somewhere between f5.6 and f8.

Another little expedition into Kirstenbosch with my old man in his dapper explorer’s outfit. Wandering about. Taking pictures.

@joydemillar has organised another cracking #subwaysessions at our undisclosed location. Here’s Ilse holding everyone spellbound or in stitches between songs that you instantly feel like you’ve known for years.

Last night was perhaps the best non metal rock show I’ve seen in South Africa. Just killer bands, great sound, enthusiastic crowd. Pictured is Beast with two great bass guitar players, a rock solid drummer and an operatic, dramatic singer. The Tasers from Jozi were probably my highlight with a great tension between absolute wildness and tight control. Headlined by Spiral Drive from Germany. The show is coming to Jozi in a few days and people up there should run not walk to get tickets.

I was with my dad while he got his prescription filled at Noyes Pharmacy in Kenilworth which still amazingly has a film autolab. You can see the diamond grid where they once had many brands and types of 35mm film for sale and now there’s just one - and only about a dozen in stock plus some disposable cameras. They used to have a collection of vintage Leicas - MIII’s through M6s I think. Maybe 20 or so. Not even for sale. I believe the old owner sold them quickly when digital moved in - not realising like most of us that their value would recover in time I think. ...

His current favourite autumnal spot for taking his daytime zizz with the advantage of being able to see his rivals from the balcony.

@kanesnaps and I went out to see the effects of the summer fires in December (if I recall). It was amazing to see how the protea flower clusters had opened up to release their seeds and how there were already some green shoots in the ashes mere days later. Also impressive were the huge shards of sandstone blasted out of the boulders like onion layers where the water dumped by helicopters hit the searing hot stone.