Dice With The Devil

Wednesday Walk Plenty Ducking And Diving

Travel is not for the faint-hearted high speed along the freeways, something I did for many years and thoroughly enjoyed, not so much now!

First stop in Doonside with a view from top of hill, where a delivery was needed giving me time enough to take a short walk to show hilltop views and mood.

Fir-needle tree captured my eye once out of the car, with shades of green standing guard at the side of the road.

While monkeys display tails dangling from armco barrier, a muggy day still early views were not as good as I have seen from up here. Lived once upon a time in the block of flats on top of the hill, high winds persuaded me in no time at all to keep moving, find terra firma.

A glance across the hills laden with homesteads once wild with dense coastal growth, humans have arrived taking over much of the lands that stood barren for a long time.

Careful arranging allowed my son and I accomplish a few duties in one day saving some fuel, drive to historical hospital, what shocked me as the how big this is now. He had an arranged appointment with a surgeon at St Augustine in Durban, while I had to meet a person in Durban North region, we then set on homeward bound again.

The hospital was founded in 1892 and some of the buildings are listed buildings, still part of the original now surrounded by new. Establishment is so busy we were fortunate to find parking quite quickly, in a spot that afforded me some views while waiting for him. History of the The Centenary of the Augustinian Sisters in Natal - 1991

Time to wander around, see what I can see....

Natal mahogany with edible seeds however poisonous outer coating, grows 25 metres tall making wonderful display in vacant land adjacent property, with one inside the hospital grounds.

Fiery flowers similar to protea bush gives a delightful view from above. Closest research revealed, is the Australian Firewheel tree, many similar plants between our two countries treated as an ornamental tree stands quite tall! If you know the bloom please let me know....

Looking down into Durban harbour ships with smaller vessels floating around between the buoys showing safe passage navigating the waters, green bank yonder is called Bluff area.

Cargo cranes on vessel stands tall on top, I have no idea what it's use is, dock loaded to capacity with containers making up the backdrop over the water.

Before leaving this Starling shimmering in the light on top of a mahogany tree started chatting away, I do answer while capturing grand stature like an overlord in the hospital grounds.

Driving down a hair raising event for me with traffic, over crowded region in housing and shacks we stopped briefly in Springfield park where I captured the last photo at a drive through, typical African sub-tropical scene with the birds on display. We did not linger long as area is known for hijackings and theft in this hotspot.

A busy Wednesday, still followed by weekly shopping. An outing that lasted most of my waking hours, we come to realize it's not a joy driving as much today, heavy traffic everyone in a hurry, you know you are slowing down, not so Silver's?

Thought for Today: "The wise traveler leaves his heart at home." - African Proverbs