365 Project – Page 2

Day 30: The Law of Inertia

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, HomeTagged 365 Project, Activities, HomeLeave a comment

Over the years I have realized that the only way I exercise regularly is to have everything I need ready at home. I actually enjoy going to the gym. But after a long day, or facing a cold early morning, getting there just takes too much mental effort.

Instead I just step into my shoes at home for a “quick 10 min stretch” and 90% of the time, once the initial friction is beaten, I keep going. Law of inertia.

And when I really can’t be bothered, that’s fine too. Ten minutes of stretching is still better than nothing.

Day 29: Oil and Water

March 5, 2026March 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, MakroTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, MakroLeave a comment

Here it is. My first “intentional” photography project in over 8 years. It’s not much – but I did have to dig out my dust-covered tripod, set out the lights and spend some time getting the settings and colors right.

It was fun. What next?

Day 28: Music or not

March 4, 2026March 4, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objects, HomeTagged 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

I’m not big on music. I occassionally listen to something in the background, but more often I listen to books or (much more rarely) podcasts. The only exception is during exercise. You really need rythm to motivate yourself to run or lift weights.

Stuart plays guitar and I’m glad girls have inherited some of his enthusiasm. At this stage (with no training at all) it is too early to judge talent. But they play every music instrument they have with gusto!

Kiara especially likes to listen to music while she draws or does crafts. I’ve been surprised to realize she enjoys classical music too – and for one whole summer her favourite song was a Swedish choir rendition of Santa Lucia (a reference that probably makes more sense to anyone from Scandinavia).

Day 27: Long Night

March 3, 2026March 3, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, TravelLeave a comment

South Africa and Finland are in the same time zone (+/- an hour). It’s 20h+ travel, but it is basically one badly slept night…

Telling this to myself was much easier, when I did not have to keep peace between two 7-year olds who have both slept less than 4 hours the night before.

Worth it, tho.

Day 26: Muizenberg Beach

March 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Africa, Alanna, Family, Kiara, Stuart, Travelling, WaterTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Kiara, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Cape Town faces the Atlantic, so the water is pretty chilly even in summer. Muizenberg Beach is a popular surfing destination because of the good waves it gets, but any sane surfer wears a wetsuit.

Despite the cold, Kiara and Alanna squeezed every bit of fun out of the waves, sand, and sun in the last hours before heading to the airport. Since they were soaked to the skin and covered in wet sand, we had luckily scheduled time for a shower before starting our trip.

Day 25: Cloudy, with a Change of Wine

March 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, Travel, WineLeave a comment

There is just something so picturesque about the wine farms, even when the weather is not perfect. My fingers itch whenever I get near one.

Stuart and the girls are generally pretty patient with my photography, but even they had enough for this trip. Stuart packed me in a car and sent me to Constancia Wine route as we were living in the neighbourhood. He and the girls stayed at the house swimming and relaxing.

As I was driving myself, I ended up drinking more coke than wine – but I got my photos.

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 22: Two Sides of South Africa

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, People, TravellingTagged 365 Project, History, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

It is tricky to explain to the girls how privileged they are. For a 7-year olds, their own problems are always the biggest in the world. And, to be fair, that is often true for us adults too.

However, after visiting one of Cape Town’s big townships – Langa – today, the differences were starkly visible even to Alanna and Kiara. As the girls said “There were a lot of kids, but not many toys”.

The explanation of the history and the social commentary of the guide (a Langa resident himself) were a bit too complicated for the girls, but they now recognize the words for Apartheid and Nelson Mandela.

The lunch at the Waterfront – a luxury area indeed – drove home the the comparison.

Day 21: Bo-Kaap

February 23, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Architecture, Kiara, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Outdoors, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

I love bright colors. It’s one of the reasons traditional Afrikan fabrics appeal to me. Why would you ever wear beige if you could wear orange, turquoise and purple? Simultaneously. But I am also pretty self-concious, so I (too) often settle for safer choices.

This contradiction is what started my love affair with large earrings. You can be bold, but in a sort-of-safe way – like jumping off a cliff only halfway.

In photography, there is no need for safe choices. That’s why there are few better places to wonder around that the vibrant, bold Malay neighborhood of Bo-Kaap.