Oh, and I got a better moon shot...

...while I was taking pictures of the fire!


Later tonight I'm going to try the Southern Cross again!

The fire grows...

Fortunately, the wind didn't pick up, but that hasn't stopped it from spreading...

Fire on the mountain.

Took this picture a few minutes ago from in front of the house, looking west:


This can go two ways; either the wind will drop this afternoon and it will smoulder overnight and maybe peter out, or the wind will pick up this afternoon, blowing it over the mountain and into the valleys beyond.

I would prefer the first, but the second is very likely. Fire is the biggest 'natural' disaster potential here, with hot, dry and windy summers.

Setting crescent.

Unfortunately still a bit of heat haze in the air, but still worth a shot.

Found on the roadside.

I picked this dead butterfly up off the side of the road this afternoon. Quite a biggy, wingspan 121mm.


And a closer view of the 'eyes' on it's wings:

Re-sizing photo's.

So far, most of my pic's have been 600x400 pixels, but I've now changed that to 900x600 pixels, so you can see more (sometimes I might post larger ones). All the pic's that appear on the blog page are 400 pixels wide, but have an embedded larger version available.

If you haven't noticed yet, you need to click on the image to see the larger view (try the one below, also from this morning's drive!).


So, more pic's, and in more detail from now on!

'night!

Traffic jam!

Went for an exploratory drive this morning, but got stuck on a jammed up road early into it. Sheesh, Sunday traffic!


A roadside view, behind the mountains from where we are:


And a virtual beer (or even a real one next time I see you), to anyone that can tell me what this town name means:


"Town" is being generous, I think there are about five houses, a pub, an "Algemene Handelaar" (General Dealer) and a "Plaas-Dans Saal" (Farm Dance Hall), the parking lot of which seemed to indicate that it was a very popular place!

Sunset.

A nice one tonight:


Taken from the back garden, westerly wind blowing forming clouds over the beach about 10km away.

Stars.

A pic from tonight, the Southern Cross (not sure how it will look on your screen, but looks OK on mine):


About 30 sec. exposure - the first time this constellation's appeared over the eastern horizon (which is why it's pointing up!) at a reasonable time. It will be with us for the next six months at least!

Oh, and I now have my (official) Skippers Ticket! Now legally allowed to drive a boat on the sea!

What weekends are for...

Having fun!






Oh, and if any family reads this today, it's the First Mate's birthday tomorrow!