by
Paul on Friday, 26 February, 2010
An old car
While driving on the N1 national highway, I passed this Mercedes Benz whizzing along at a comfortable 120km/h. Taking a photo while driving would have been tricky, so I handed my camera to Kerry-Anne who opened her window for this shot, almost losing my camera while doing so!
It may be of interest to you that the first Mercedes-Benz, the Benz Velo, arrived in South Africa in 1896, and in 1958 Car Distributors Assembly had the first Mercedes-Benz rolling off their production line.
In recent years our automotive industry has accounted for about 10% of South African exports and about 7.5% of our GDP. That makes the industry a huge contributor, providing stable income to thousands of people. The past two years have however been as difficult for the local industry as they’ve been for the global one. Fortunately however, the economy is turning and folk seem to be buying cars again… unfortunately I’m not one of those folk. 
by
Paul on Thursday, 25 February, 2010
Hiking the Pipe Track
The Pipe Track is one of Cape Town’s easiest hikes along the side of Table Mountain. It starts at a convenient spot with plenty of parking, just above the city centre, and follows a leisurely path along the back of the mountain, showing off the splendour of Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
The path is well-frequented, especially on warm and windless Saturday mornings. I think the best time to walk the route is in the early morning, just as the sun rises over the Boland mountains. Around this time of the year in particular you’ll find that the air is crisp and clear, and that the wind hasn’t yet had time to awaken.
There are generally many people walking the route in the morning if the weather’s good. However, if you decide to take the walk when there aren’t so many folk about, then perhaps you should consider walking in a group of at least four people. It’s a very isolated part of the mountainside and although unlikely, it’s possible that muggers could wait there to help you carry your cameras, wallets and phones. 
Take a look at this map of the Pipe Track. This route is about 3.5 kilometres long (one way) and should take you about an hour to complete. So, to be safe, set aside about three hours for this trip. The extra hour will come in handy for taking in the sublime views!
by
Paul on Wednesday, 24 February, 2010
An old man
For some time I’ve been wondering what it’s like to get old and how much you, your personality and your outlook on life, actually change over the years. I know many people over the age of 60 (which I believe is the new 50 ) and while it’s evident that years of life have taken their toll on their perspective on life, there are a few that I know who are somehow different, and have somehow retained a youthful outlook on life.
People say that “getting old” is simply a state of mind, and I find myself wondering how much control one has over the change in this state of mind. I wonder whether or not in 30 years’ time I’ll have a similar and (mostly) unjaded approach to day-to-day living.
I took this photo at Hussar Grill in Camps Bay a little while ago.
by
Paul on Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
