Making contact

In front of the President Hotel in Sea Point a plaque informs passing pedestrians that this is the site of the Sea Point Contact. On the rocks below the notice board, when the tide is low, you can see swirls of light and dark rocks all mixed together. This is the contact point where, 540 million years ago, upwelling magma intruded into an existing sedimentary system of shales. With all the rocks above now eroded away and the contact exposed, it was recognised by geologists in the early 1800s - notably by a chap called Abel Clarke - and described in detail by the famous South African geologist Alexander du Toit. This contact point was important to science as it clearly demonstrates one of the processes that shapes our world. Charles Darwin was taken to this exact spot in 1856 when the Beagle docked in Cape Town - hence the local name of Darwin's Point.

From the horse's mouth

Five white horses at giddy angles, with a vuvuzela in their mouths. Decidedly wacky! But this is a serious piece of art by sculptor Kevin Brand, commissioned by the City of Cape Town for the Sea Point Promenade.
As the website alluded to above states, “The artwork alludes to an interesting story from Brand’s childhood experiences on the Promenade. He drew his inspiration from his memory of the SS South African Seafarer running aground during a storm about 50 metres from the Mouille Point Lighthouse on 1 July 1966. The 63 crew and 12 passengers on-board all survived the shipwreck thanks to the South African Air Force’s heroic action.
“At the sculpture’s unveiling, Brand explained that the ship’s cargo contained, among other things, some miniature white plastic horses. Brand says that the crashing white horses of the Atlantic Ocean washed these little white horses to shore and scattered them on the beach where he and many others delighted in finding the tiny treasures.
“The result of his experience is a depiction of five white horses, each with a polished aluminium vuvuzela protruding from both the mouth and tail. Underground tubing connects the horses, and passers-by can speak or blow into one end of a vuvuzela and have a friend hear the message on the other end.
“The horses are placed on concrete bases and positioned at angles which suggest a ‘washed-up’ feeling. The names of significant women in Brand’s life are etched below each horse.”

Stretching out

The newly re-named Helen Suzman Boulevard. Judging by the stretch limo in the distance, it is either Matric Dance season, or an indication that we are nearing the fleshpots of the Atlantic Seaboard suburbs. I can't help thinking that Helen Suzman would be a bit embarrassed at having a street named after herself if she were still around.

Bohemian chic

Sea Point has transformed from frowsy flat-land to sophisticated city living in the last twenty years. This is my sister's elegant flat with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Lion's Head and Table Mountain.

One missing

Wonderful Sunday buffet brunch at the Winchestester Mansions in Sea Point. Jazz included. Not long before they were all gone.

One free creature to another

Walking the road by Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe is an 18-piece series of bronze sculptures on the promenade at Sea Point that tells the story of a girl who longs to fly. After a chance encounter with a dragonfly, she lives her dream. The sculpture is shown with Lion's Head in the background.

I always use my own photos, but today is an exception and I have posted a photo taken by Wendy Yeowart, a regular visitor to Cape Town, who is an acquaintance of the artist and told me all about the sculptures - really worth a visit!