The Cape Doctor

The Cape Doctor is the local name for the strong south-eastern wind – also known as the South-Easter – that blows from False Bay and funnels through to Cape Town and Blouberg during the hot summer months.  It is said to clear all pollution in the city and across the Cape Flats, offering an amazing clear sky and view of the Mother City.

enveloped 2The wind picks up moisture from False Bay and pushes it up against the flanks of Table Mountain, creating clouds (and rain) along the eastern slope. This phenomenon is locally known as ‘the Table cloth’: the top of Table Mountain is enveloped  in a huge cloud, dripping over the mountainside.

enveloped

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

33 thoughts on “The Cape Doctor”

    1. It’s one reason why I never got up on top of the mountain all the time I lived there. In summer you get the Cape Doctor and in winter you get the rain and clouds. Such a fantastic view from the top though if you make it.

  5. I’m enjoying glimpses into your South Africa, and understanding more and more why bits of your heart are still there. Fantastic clarity in the photos.

    1. Thanks Meg. It is a city which definitely lodged in my heart from the very moment I saw it as I walked out of the railway station a few days before Christmas, tired and grubby from a 12 week overland and sea journey.

    1. The clouds disappeared not long after these shots, but we nipped into the Aquarium to avoid the showers!

    1. It’s an interesting spot as you can be sunbathing on the other side of the mountain without a care in the world whilst on the eastern side you get drenched!

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