A statue reflecting in one of the many ponds at the Company Gardens early on Tuesday morning.

In case you are wondering what I was doing in town so early in the morning, I was visiting the Italian Consulate to arrange my EU visa. I arrived a little early, and since the Company Gardens were just around the corner, an early-morning stroll through the gardens was the perfect way to start the day.

By the way, the consulate was really efficient; I was in and out in about 10 minutes. In theory I collect my visa tomorrow.

This is a magical place in Cape Town, and a must see when visiting Cape Town. They were formally established in 1652, and they contain:

* The oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa (circa 1652) * A rose garden designed and built in 1929 * An aviary – a great favourite with children * Local arts and crafts along the avenue * Grassy lawns and benches * A herb and succulent garden

More details are here

A lovely Avenue to walk down during the day; a peaceful calm amidst the chaos of the city.

Fisherman at night, originally uploaded by Craig is shooting.

This fisherman was setting himself up for a cold night of fishing. He told me that he didn’t know what he was going to catch, because if he know it would be called catching, and not fishing.

He was using little sardines for bait, and while he agreed that they taste great, he also reminded me that a small sardine can be used to catch a large fish.

Some lessons to be learned from him!

People walking on the harbour wall at Kaly Bay Harbour, originally uploaded by Craig is shooting.

People walking along the harbour wall in Kaly Bay. In the front of them you can see the lights of the Harbour Hours/Ek & Jy restaurant complex. You can also just make out Fish Hoek beach on the top left.

I quite like the long shadows and the blured movement effect of the people.

I was actually going to the Harbour House for dinner, but I went there a little earlier with my camera, so I also managed to get this shot of one of the fishing boats. You can see Kalk Bay main road in the background, with Cape to Cuba (a great restaurant) just behind the harbour.

Arum Lily, originally uploaded by Craig is shooting.

The Arum Lily is one of those flowers that appears almost overnight all over Cape Town in winter. Ground that was just tall grass and fynbos suddenly comes alive with fields and fields of these large and sturdy flowers.

They are big and beautiful, and they last for ever.

If you don’t feel like picking them yourselves, you can buy them from hawkers on almost any street corner. However, please note that it is illegal to pick arum lilies 50m from a road and you need permission from the land owner. Most arums for sale in our city are picked and sold illegally.

These shots were take on the side of Baden Powell drive. Just drive down the road and you will see them everywhere.