Mountains & Seas
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:33 pm
As I sit here writing this Cape Town is under assault by the weather gods. Nature's full arsenal of weather elements has been unleashed over the last 2 days and it would suffice to say that it is NOT flying weather. I am leaving in a few days time for the Wild Coast, where I will be spending the next 3 weeks photographing the Sardine Run from an underwater perspective. As happy as I am at spending the time underwater, this does mean it will be several weeks before I fly again. To prepare myself for the imminent withdrawal from the skies I decided to treat myself thius week to a "Mountains and Seas" experience. Treatment: One flight around the Peninsula and one flight through the mountains.
The peninsula flight day yielded perfect weather, clear skies, no wind but a slight haze covering the city.
Table Bay Harbour and the container terminals.
Kalk Bay Harbour and Fish Hoek Bay in the background.
Llandudno suburb and beach with Lion's Head in the background.
Camps Bay.
Sea Point and Signal Hill.
Duncan Dock container pier.
The next day saw the city covered in dense fog. As I drove from my house in the southern suburbs to the airfield at Goedverwacht I was in thick fog. By the time I reached Durbanville the fog was still thick and I had my doubts that I would be able to fly, but as I reached the field, the fog opened up and it was clear skies to the east. Just as if the weather itself was in on my flight plan...
Paarl Valley with Paarl Rock and the N1 visible on the left.
Heading towards the Franschoek Valley.
Some beautiful estates lie in the Franschoek Valley.
Following the Berg River to the dam.
The Berg River Dam.
The Berg River Dam.
Three Streams Stud Farm at the southern end of the Franschoek Valley.
Flying over the Franschoek Pass.
Mist shrouds the edges of the Tweewaterskloof Dam.
The town of Villiersdorp.
Entering the Breede River Valley.
Entering the Breede River Valley it was clear that the whole area was completely fogged in. VFR on top, not good. My original plan of routing to Worcester then on to the Bainskloof Pass would have to be abandoned. So I climbed to 5000ft (chilly up there!) and routed over the mountains into Du Toits Kloof where there was no mist.
Thick mist lies in the valley. Conditions go VFR on top and the plan to go to Worcester is abandoned.
Climbing to 5000ft and crossing the mountains.
Stettynskloof Valley.
Entering Du Toits Kloof
Passing over the top of Du Toits kloof Pass.
The Paarl Valley looking towards False Bay.
Farm lands at the north end of the Paarl Berg.
Prognosis: The treatment is showing definite signs of success and the patient should now be able to take a short term absence from flying. Sardine Run here I come...
Here are 3 images to give you an idea what it's all about:
Common dolphins herd the sardines into wonderful symmetries.
A bronzie cruises in the shoal, backlit by the late afternoon sun.
The Brydes whale poses nicely for a close up head shot before moving off!
Regards
Jean.
The peninsula flight day yielded perfect weather, clear skies, no wind but a slight haze covering the city.
Table Bay Harbour and the container terminals.
Kalk Bay Harbour and Fish Hoek Bay in the background.
Llandudno suburb and beach with Lion's Head in the background.
Camps Bay.
Sea Point and Signal Hill.
Duncan Dock container pier.
The next day saw the city covered in dense fog. As I drove from my house in the southern suburbs to the airfield at Goedverwacht I was in thick fog. By the time I reached Durbanville the fog was still thick and I had my doubts that I would be able to fly, but as I reached the field, the fog opened up and it was clear skies to the east. Just as if the weather itself was in on my flight plan...
Paarl Valley with Paarl Rock and the N1 visible on the left.
Heading towards the Franschoek Valley.
Some beautiful estates lie in the Franschoek Valley.
Following the Berg River to the dam.
The Berg River Dam.
The Berg River Dam.
Three Streams Stud Farm at the southern end of the Franschoek Valley.
Flying over the Franschoek Pass.
Mist shrouds the edges of the Tweewaterskloof Dam.
The town of Villiersdorp.
Entering the Breede River Valley.
Entering the Breede River Valley it was clear that the whole area was completely fogged in. VFR on top, not good. My original plan of routing to Worcester then on to the Bainskloof Pass would have to be abandoned. So I climbed to 5000ft (chilly up there!) and routed over the mountains into Du Toits Kloof where there was no mist.
Thick mist lies in the valley. Conditions go VFR on top and the plan to go to Worcester is abandoned.
Climbing to 5000ft and crossing the mountains.
Stettynskloof Valley.
Entering Du Toits Kloof
Passing over the top of Du Toits kloof Pass.
The Paarl Valley looking towards False Bay.
Farm lands at the north end of the Paarl Berg.
Prognosis: The treatment is showing definite signs of success and the patient should now be able to take a short term absence from flying. Sardine Run here I come...
Here are 3 images to give you an idea what it's all about:
Common dolphins herd the sardines into wonderful symmetries.
A bronzie cruises in the shoal, backlit by the late afternoon sun.
The Brydes whale poses nicely for a close up head shot before moving off!
Regards
Jean.
As the saying goes "you are what you eat" SSSsssooo what will the Bulls then be? Bullarks maybe