Not sitting on the fence.

South African Fencing have achieved a very elegant and appropriate adaptation of our flag for thier international competitors. This is worn on either side of the trouser leg. I received some strange looks, and funny comments as I bent down and focussed to take this photo at the national championships at Natal University today :-). Fortunately they are all good sports.

Using the flag.

Some people felt it disrespectful when others first used the design and colours of our new flag (well not so new anymore - its nearly 14 years old) in all manner of articles. However, in my view, the way people are using it shows the complete opposite. It's very encouraging that most are eager to identify with their new country and take every opportunity to show this publically.

This is on one of our new mini-bus taxis. The mini-bus taxi industry started a few years before we moved over to democracy and was a real danger to everyone who ventured onto our roads - passengers, pedestrians as well as other motorists. The vehicles they used were not suitable to carry the number of passengers they managed to squeeze in, the drivers were always in a hurry to get there, and the vehicles themselves were not propertly maintained so were often an accident looking for a place. Daily we'd hear of a taxi's having rolled or being involved in some accident or another with a number of lives lost.

Recently the government decided to clean it up, and the taxi owners were given incentives to buy these new more suitable vehicles. They are more stable on the road and of course new (pronounced: roadworthy). The drivers are obviously proud to be in them so look after these vehicles. The result - safer roads for everyone.

We love trees.

While we're on the subject of tress.... Howard Avenue is one of my favourites in Durban, and all because of the trees. This is taken from the top of the road. In the distance you can see the blue water of the harbour, and the Bluff behind that.

This road leads up to the University, and more specifically the Howard College building. Unfortunately the university is now surrounded by a security fence, and the less accessible gardens have thick vegetation making photos in that direction rather meaningless.

Manning Road.

As suggested by Anonymous, who now resides in Canada.... Manning road is indeed another of our beautiful tree-lined streets. Being a high density residential area, with good access to public transport, it takes a lot more traffic at all times of the day.

The trees do help you to relax when during the rush hour.

To others who've made suggestions and given hints about places they'd like to see.... I haven't forgotten. Work often gets in the way of fun, and it takes some effort to get the balance right.

The scenic route.

It's such a pleasure to drive along this road, especially if you catch the sun at the right time.

When travelling along the N3 from Hillcrest towards Durban, there are a few exits one can use to reach Kloof, and it all depends on how quickly you want to reach your destination. If you believe, as I do, that the whole of life is the destination, then you too would take the first and spend an extra minute or so, to enjoy this very pretty tree-lined road.

It all starts here.

I don' t need much encouragement to take a break from the task of shopping, and the musical fountain was rather a nice excuse this time.

Musical Fountain

The water almost reache the top of the dome over the musical fountain in the center of the Gateway shopping center. The source of the fountain is two floors below this.