On one of the most beautiful winter days in Cape Town that I can remember, it was wonderful to take a break from football action to explore Signal Hill for a few hours. Even though I’ve been walking the Fan Walk, I certainly needed the exercise after many tense moments in front of the TV (Yes, Kaka, you were soeking…)
As I climbed higher, I became more and more aware of the diverse sounds of the city – the chatter of people on top of Signal Hill, the cries of the guinea fowl in the bush, the call to prayer from a Bo Kaap mosque and the low drone of the Mouille Point lighthouse foghorn. I guess that sound travels further when the air is moist and damp.
Could there really be such perfect weather in Cape Town, the day before the Winter Solstice? Once on top of Signal Hill, contrasting weather patterns on each side of the mountain made for interesting views.
In what other city can you see such an amazing range of sights and sites in just two hours walk? And what a great present for Father’s Day!
An old jeep track above Tamboerskloof provides good access on foot to Signal Hill
The picture-perfect blue skies over Table Mountain and the City Bowl...
...were in sharp constrast to the thick fog over the Atlantic seaboard
The footpath above Sea Point provides wonderful views
A paraglider lands on the Sea Point Promenade amidst thick fog
Visitors and locals watch as another paraglider prepares to take to the sky from the top of Signal Hill
A small boy, no more than fours years of age, is assisted into the air to take his first tandem ride
Up, up and away...
Families sit in the warm winter sunshine enjoying lunch at the Signal Hill picnic site
The magnificent view all the way out to the Boland mountains from the top of Signal Hill
Visitors queue up to take pictures of the Cape Town Stadium...
...and themselves
An oil rig pokes out of the cloud beyond Robben Island
Portuguese fans in town for the game against Korea DPR were much in evidence
A faint dusting of snow is still evident on the mountains
One of the many walking paths below Signal Hill waiting to be explored
On my way down, I always love to come around this particular corner and see the city appear before my eyes
The 'Cape Town Eye' is a popular new attraction in town for the next six months
The Athlone Cooling Towers. This well known Cape Town landmark is due to be demolished at the end of July
An old fortification at the Lion Battery above Green Point
Interesting information about the Noon Gun
Back down Military Road to the City Bowl
Bo Kaap houses
Bo Kaap houses
The stunning new 2010 World Cup mural on the wall of the Dutch Consulate can clearly be seen, with the old Lutheran Church in the background.
Bo Kaap, with the 'Cape Town Eye' in the background
A shooting range in the old quarry on Signal Hill - always a rather spooky place
What about on weekends?
Not too sure of the significance of this sign...
On the path back to Tamboerskloof
Great photos.
Do you by any chance know anything about the Signal Hill Project? (http://www.signalhillproject.com/) It would be sad to see those exciting plans canned.
Thanks
When I last heard, the project was delayed due to issues relating to the development of the Signal Hill quarry area. I hope the process can be revived after the World Cup
Thanks for the info! I share your sentiments.