Saturday, April 21, 2012

Cape Town Here I Come ...

Tomorrow I leave for Cape Town - I don't like cities much and Cape Town is the only one that I can handle for a few days. In fact, I'm quite looking forward to the buzz.


I need to breathe the sea air again and eat as much fresh fish as I can - Mariner's Wharf in Hout Bay will be one place I'll be sure to visit.


Also on my agenda is the Kistenbosch Botanical Gardens, a place I always try to visit whenever I'm in Cape Town ... green, green, green ...


Before I leave though, take a look at these Desert Flowers.


When I arrived in the Desert last month, it rained lightly one night - four days later dozens of these plants suddenly appeared in the otherwise arid landscape.


What I find interesting is that, in some specimens, there are both white and pink flowers on the same plant.


About four days after flowering, all the plants died-back and disappeared. It was also amazing that these were the only plants which reacted to the one-night rainfall ...

When I return from Cape Town I'll only be in the desert for 4 days before leaving for my home - I hope to have good news regarding my internet connection and also to get a post in before I head North ...

Take care friends.


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33 comments:

  1. DianeApril 21, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    Enjoy Cape Town, I am jealous, great fish at Hout Bay, and I love the botanical gardens. I can also sit and look at table mountain quite happily for a bit of relaxation.

    Hope we hear from you before you return to your house. It will be great if you get a good internet connection there. I love those lilies they are magical. Take care Diane

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 11:46 AM

      Thanks Diane - most of my family lives in CT so I'll be quite busy visiting too ... and the trees ... I can't wait for the trees ...

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  2. PhillipApril 21, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Enjoy Cape Town. Those are beautiful flowers.

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 12:25 PM

      Thanks Phillip - I did know the name of the plants but I'm too lazy to re-research them ...

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  3. DaniApril 21, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    D'is LEKKER in die Kaap :) And Mariner's is just down the road. Have you tried Snoekies or Fish on the Rocks for your fish requirements?

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  4. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Hehe ja Dani, die Kaap is die enigste ander plek waar ek sal kan bly - yes, I've eaten at Snoekies, I'll give Fish on the Rocks a try ...

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  5. JoApril 21, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    As a vegetarian, I still miss fresh sea fish! Enjoy a whole lot for me! Enjoy the bot gardens too. I loved them when I went in 2008 but sadly had the wrong setting on my camera and had NO photos of the lovely outing. Those flowers are amazing, Graham. Just like the desert to treat you as you go off to the green, green, green! I see my brother is following your blog too! Have a safe journey and get back soon. Greetings Jo

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 1:53 PM

      Interesting to hear you're a vegetarian Jo - I've often considered walking that path but my laziness gets the better of me ... it's easier to just eat meat ...

      Thanks for your greetings, I'm looking forward to the trip and three days in the city is just enough ...

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  6. Jeffrey WilliusApril 21, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Always enjoy your posts, OSC -- Vicarious thrills from your travels to places I can only hope to see one day. Those lilies are amazing, popping up in the midst of such barren-looking surroundings! Safe travels, my friend...

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 4:51 PM

      Thanks Jeffrey - it's amazing how some plants or their seeds may lie dormant for years at a time and only sprout when the atmospheric are just right ...

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  7. IngerApril 21, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    I hope there will some more photos from Cape Town before you leave. It seems like this was a short visit, so I hope the news regarding the internet at home will be good. Miss you when you're gone.

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 4:57 PM

      Thanks Inger ... I hope I'll get some interesting pics ... yes, it would be nice if I could blog all the time .... or most of the time ... :)

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  8. fishduckyApril 21, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    I hope the internet & you become the best of friends--I SO love your posts! Those beautiful lilies in the middle of barrenness--AMAZING!!

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 7:55 PM

      Hehe yeah Fran ... I'd like a permanent connection - though I must admit that it always does me some good to hang off the internet for awhile ...

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  9. Bill LislemanApril 21, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    Those flowers just look so out-of-place as if someone just placed then there. Amazing what a small amount of water will do.

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 21, 2012 at 7:57 PM

      Yeah, they do look out of place hey Bill ... and the speed with which they appear and flower ... then disappear beneath the sand again ...

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  10. auroraApril 21, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    It looks beautiful!

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  11. LisaApril 22, 2012 at 12:15 AM

    Graham you sound soo happy I am happy too.:)

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  12. LoniceraApril 22, 2012 at 12:44 AM

    I can imagine you must be starved of green, what a joy to just gaze at it! I think Cape Town is just about the most attractive city I've ever visited, and I do remember going to Hout Bay... Hope you'll take plenty of pictures. Re your desert flowers - high on my photography bucket list is Namaqualand in October... I'm determined to get there one day.
    Caroline

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 27, 2012 at 5:24 PM

      I'm about 3 hours drive from Namaqualand Caroline - If we get good winter rain this year I'll try to visit ... yes, I love Cape Town ... but four days were enough ... :)

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  13. This is BelgiumApril 22, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    First picture is so inviting.. even here in rainy cold Belgium, it makes me want to make a trip to the Tafelberg!
    Interesting those desert flowers
    Look forward to see what's coming next
    Happy Sunday
    anni

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 27, 2012 at 5:26 PM

      Thanks for your visit and comment Anni - I've never been to Europe (or any place else) ... :)

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  14. JoyfulApril 22, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    So beautiful there! Have a wonderful trip.

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  15. AnonymousApril 23, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Have fun in Cape Town!

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  16. LisaApril 25, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Graham I can't wait to tell you that my blog has a new address, it is on my profile, it feels like I have a new canvas to paint! :)

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 27, 2012 at 5:28 PM

      Cool Fazlisa - I'll find it soon ... looking forward to reading your word pictures ...

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  17. LauriApril 25, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    Enjoy Cape Town. I had to look twice at those desert flowers, I thought you were pulling our leg. It looked like you popped a vase of flowers in the middle of the desert.

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    1. OneStonedCrowApril 27, 2012 at 5:29 PM

      Hehehe Laurie - you're giving me ideas - yes, they do look out-of-place hey ...

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  18. Hilary Melton-ButcherMay 5, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    Hi Graham .. amazing photos of the Cape - and I love Kirstenbosch too and always will visit. Your desert flowers are exquisite aren't they - and just wondeful how nature adapts to the climate to ensure its own survival.

    Love them - thanks so much .. cheers Hilary

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