6000 miles from civilisation... » quota photo

Beach

6000 — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:07:35 +0000

I’ve had a busy afternoon and evening judging science projects at a local school. When they found out I’ve done it, they’re going to be absolutely furious. Anyway, quite frankly, I’m knackered.

Here’s a quick QP of Llandudno (in France).
And here’s me signing off and promising something more exciting tomorrow.

Rugby or…

6000 — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:37:08 +0000

While the rest of Cape Town was glued to Newlands or to their TVs for the start of the Stormers v Cheetahs game, the kids and I were out in the back garden watch the International Space Station flying over the Mother City:

This was a 30 second exposure (which means that the streak across the sky is 233km long) with a bit of luck as the clouds parted to allow a clear shot.

By the time you’ve sighted it and lined up the shot, you only get one go per ISS pass, but you readers don’t get to see the 74 failures that it takes to get just the odd one or two right.

Waenhuiskrans

6000 — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:29:12 +0000

We managed to get the kids round to the cave at Arniston/Waenhuiskrans while we were away.

The cave is huge inside; allegedly, so huge that a wagon with a full span of oxen can turn around in it. But probably only at low tide. The locals therefore named it “Waenhuiskrans” literally meaning “wagon house cliff”. No, I’m not sure how it works either.

That’s the front entrance to the cave there on the right. Most people, including us, slip in through the smaller side entrance.

I’ve played with this photo a little and I really think it brings out the magnificent strata and dramatic shapes of the rock. That could be because I’ve had a few glasses of decent red wine before writing this though.

For the full effect, go big on black here. Wine not included. Sorry.

The smell…

6000 — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:35:12 +0000

In case you were wondering (and I’m sure you were).

So now we know…

Home and photos

6000 — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:38:02 +0000

We’re back. But knackered.

I’m off to bed, but I have managed to get some photos uploading before I did so.

Quota gecko

6000 — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:35:52 +0000

A million things to do this evening including wrapping birthday gifts ahead of Wednesday, when a certain young man turns 6, and applying for a new passport. That last one should have been fairly straightforward, but the conflicting information between UK FCO websites has made it ever so ~~frustrating~~ entertaining. *fixed grin*

Thus, in order to keep up my post a day for 2012 at least for the moment (the next week is going to prove extremely challenging for this, so I make no promises), please enjoy a teeny-tiny gecko.
That’s Alex’s 5 year old index finger, just to give you some idea of the teeny-tininess of the gecko.

Fish

6000 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:40:03 +0000

Continuing our piscine theme from yesterday, we bought and set up a fishtank ahead of Alex’s birthday later this week.

No actual fish yet, but we’ll get them once the water has sorted itself out. It’s currently full of chlorine and devoid of helpful microorganisms. Hopefully by the day of his actual birthday, we’ll be able to add the bubble-eyes he’s after.
His birthday party today was a riot.
Almost literally. Photos tomorrow.

Turtley important

6000 — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:24:04 +0000

The 2 Oceans Aquarium today reissued its annual warning about what to do with stranded baby turtles you may find on local beaches.

Not only does this give me a great excuse for a 2 Oceans Aquarium themed quota photo:

Bigger on black here.

It also reminds me that I did my own take on that stranded turtle post last year.

They climbed the Shard!

6000 — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:39:14 +0000

SilentUK are at it again and Brian Micklethwait will love this one:

This time they’re going up the 72 floors (plus the crane on the top) of The Shard in London – and they’ve got another bunch of spectacularly beautiful photos from the top.

Go see. Go see now.

Silent UK on tour

6000 — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:23:37 +0000

Please take the time to check out another post from Silent UK:

This taken on the Port Vell Aerial Tramway in Barcelona