I just knew that something was up, as the day was much cooler, due to a strong wind obscuring the sun with racing clouds.
So, I had an idea to show you the start and the end of the clouds coming over. At first we headed north.
I took this shot above from our car on our way to find the origin of the clouds.
We have a lone mountain called the "Helderberg", at the start of the mountain range that runs in a semi-circle around the back of our town and our part of the mountain range ends in the sea. However, the mountain range branches off at the sea and the rest of it runs all up along the coast to end many kilometers down towards the east.
I love to go out and to take photos of the mountains and the clouds also add so much character to the pictures.
Today the clouds are twofold as they made their bed for the night right on top of the mountain range, while the lighter clouds stream higher up over the top of it all.
And there it was. The origin of the cloud streams. Streaks of clouds generated by the wind here at the beginning.
Now we were on our way back to find the other end of the streaming clouds.
There it was! This was the other end of the streaming clouds and look how the more solid clouds were resting on the mountains.
Here below are some zoomed close ups to show you the beauty.
Hottentots-Holland Mountains.
Only one historic pass crosses the mountain range.
The Gantouw (Eland Pass) ceased to be used by wagons on 6 July 1830, when the new Sir Lowry's Pass Road was opened. Wagons of the Great Trek beginning 1835, did not actually use the old pass, instead they used the new road. When previous migrants decided to leave the Cape Town area, or Cape Colony as it was then known, this was the first mountain range they crossed. Cuts and wheel markings from their ox wagons can still be seen in rock formations of the old Gantouw pass which lies slightly north of the new Sir Lowry's Pass, and are a national monument. This route still serves as the primary route out of the Cape Town area for travellers heading east along the coast of South Africa.
To me it feels like a dream land when I look at the pictures, as this could be anywhere in the world. A dreamland of travelling clouds with the mountains giving them rest on their journeys from the Atlantic Ocean to who knows where. Tomorrow, or the next day the sky will be clear again and the mountains will stand with their rough peaks etched against the deep blue sky. The green and other colors of nature embrace the mountains to deliver some fantastic sights that always attract the painters and other artists.
A bonus is the winelands and the fruit orchards for photography, as the mountains provide an excellent backdrop to the pictures. Add a bit of clouds to the scene and voila, you will have a masterpiece.
Enough said and I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
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