Wildlife – Blue Moment

Day 24: Natural History

March 1, 2026March 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Nature, Travelling, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, History, Nature, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

When I was a kid, I remember visiting the Helsinki Natural History Museum. The exhibit that impressed me most was a calf with two heads (still there today). Otherwise, I remember it being quite ‘dusty’ and stiff. It was very different from today’s museums.

Entering the Iziko South African Museum felt like a return to the late 80s, with glass cases filled with rather poor examples of taxidermy… until we wandered into the new side with the dinosaur and shark exhibits. They were cool! Very cool!

The main picture today is a giant fig tree in the Company’s Garden just outside the museum. It is approx 150–175 years old, so you can quite fairly classify it as well within Natural History.

Day 23: Cape Winelands and impossible-to-spell Franschhoek

February 28, 2026March 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Family, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, family, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

I love proper breakfast. Whenever I find the time, I cook different dishes even just for myself. I adore eggs in all forms, sauces, mushrooms, avo, bacon, salmon, yogurt, jams… you name it. Funnily enough, breakfast is the only meal Stuart does not cook. And rarely eats.

But there was no need to twist his arm to get him to enjoy a great breakfast in Franschhoek. The market was even on, so we spent a good few hours around town before taking a scenic drive to Vredenheim Wine Estate to meet the whole wider family for lunch.

A day of beauty and decadence.

And yes, despite visiting Franschhoek at least 15 times over the years, I still need to check the spelling every time…

Vredenheim has a park for big cats. These white tigers were not getting along…

Day 20: The best of the ocean

February 22, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Travelling, Water, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, South AfricaLeave a comment

We are not beach people. I like swimming in a salty water only slightly more than Stuart likes getting sand on his Kindle. The girls like the idea of the beach, but are not keen on the waves or the heat – so always choose the pool when given a choice. None of this means we don’t want to GO to the beach. Alanna plays with sand, Kiara hunts for shells and I take photos. We just don’t want to stay there.

So, we enjoyed the Atlantic ocean in the Cape Town Aquarium. And why not? Even I find it magnificent!

Day 113 – Worrying Kind

July 12, 2017July 13, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Johannesburg, Nature, Outdoors, WildlifeLeave a comment

In winter it does not rain for 6 months in Johannesburg (Or at least it shouldn’t…). This means that by mid-winter, it is dry. And dryness inevitably means grass fires – some natural, but most of them not.

I continue to be puzzled on how casually South Africans treat these small fires. As long as they are under control, they are left to burn. For example, there was a small tuft burning in the neighbourhood park. The first time I saw it, there was a park maintenance team standing next to it, but after careful consideration they left it to burn. It was still smouldering the next day (unless somehow there was a second, unrelated fire at the exact same spot.

The Hadida found it quite worrying, tho. Although a little less worrying than a little puppy charging him from behind.

Day 71 – Backyard paradise

May 29, 2017June 1, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Home, Johannesburg, Nature, Outdoors, WildlifeLeave a comment

Our neighbourhood has a lot of beautiful, mature trees. And they attract a lot of birds. Throughout the year we can listen to an almost continuous bird song – not all of it pretty, but nevertheless.

Day 30 – Nesting

April 18, 2017April 21, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WildlifeLeave a comment

Ever since we had our own resident Weaver bird in our previous house, they have been among my favourite birds. There are few things more entertaining than watching them weave their nests. This one was clearly a top-notch builder, as he seems to have attracted a girl as well.

Day 10 – Conferencing in South Africa

March 28, 2017March 31, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WildlifeLeave a comment

Only in South Africa will you ever share a conference venue with zeebras, wilderbeest, kudus and monkeys…

Day 1 – Little scenery

March 19, 2017March 26, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Getting started, Nature, Outdoors, WildlifeLeave a comment

I am back… After few years of total silence, I’ve decided to revive my blog – mainly to have an outlet to post my Project 365 photos. (see short background in the page ‘Project 365’)

So, for Day 1 we went for a hike in the private farm near Pretoria. I have to say I am rusty. Despite a nice scenery, I did not get many good photos from the trip. Luckily there are always ants…