Friday, May 23, 2008

Skywatch Friday ... Malealea, Lesotho

I guess, because we live on the coast, the air is relatively warm, and planes flying over us are usually at low altitude (mostly just landing or taking off.) So for us, seeing con-trails is a rarity. We were fascinated, while staying up in the high mountains of Lesotho, to see the sky constantly littered with con-trails , particularly around sunrise. From the directions of the lines, we could identify the Port Elizabeth to Joburg plane, Joburg to Capetown, as well as the Durban to PE plane. We particulary enjoyed the feeling of disjointed unreality it gave us, roughing it up in the isolated wilds with no phones or electricity, yet seeing all this hi-tech machinery scooting along above us, connecting hubs of industry and crowds. It made us even more grateful to be there, and heightened the feeling that we had somehow dropped off the planet!




Camping in Malealea, freezing our butts off in our ricketty tent, we woke up both mornings to wonderful skies, with a sunrise on one side, crescent moon overhead, and jets painting lines all over the place! Here is a selection of the variety we saw on those magical mornings.




Speaking of Malealea, if you want to read a really inspiring story, about a subsistance farmer who lived on a piece of land that was unusable because it was so badly eroded, and covered in huge bare gullies, and who turned it into a model of productivity, with no capital or farm equipment, just a vision and sheer hard manual labour, follow the Malealea link above.

In there, I mentioned that his fondest wish is to own a small old tractor, to help reduce the manual labour. I have had several responses, from people who are not in a position to buy one, but would like to contribute. I am in communication with Malealea Lodge, and awaiting a response so we can work out the logistics of how to go about it. I'll give you updates as we go along.



To see more wonderul Skywatch photos, visit our genial host Tom for a list of links.
Have a great weekend everyone!

23 comments:

Max-e said...

Suzi-k, these are stunning pics. It may have been cold but it was so cool, in more ways than one, getting up so early :)

Anonymous said...

Those trails of jet planes are awesome!! :)

Lilli & Nevada said...

Oh my goodness they are all so good that i wouldn't know which to pick, sounds like you got a bit cold.

Snap Catch said...

great catch for SWF! mine's up too hope you can drop by..

FO - 2 said...

Excellent!
Beautiful collection! :)

TR Ryan said...

Absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing so many. The last one is mesmerizing. They all are. I also stopped by your art blog and I am blown away. Your work leaves me speechless.

Anonymous said...

These are stunning photos.
Loved the jet trails!

SandyCarlson said...

Those trails are lovely. They are like company on a quiet day.

Scotty Graham said...

great photos...be sure to save some more for next week...ha!!

Tom said...

Hi Suzi
Well these blew what bit of hair I had left, right off the top of old womtigs napper.. I get to see low planes and con-trails all the time.. but they can still stop me in my tracks at time.

I hope many follow this link.. a take an interest.. maybe a 'paypal' account could be set up for this tractor appeal. Let me know if I can be of a help withthis.

Carver said...

Those are wonderful sky shots. The last one is so dramatic it looks like a painting. They are all great.

dot said...

What a treat your pictures are! Keep us updated about the farmer.

Rethabile said...

Step outside at night, and look at the sky then.

I'll watch the blog for news of the 'Musi's tractor. I can't do much else than "advertising," but every little bit helps.

Best
Rethabile

Profile Not Available said...

WOW! I especially loved the gray skies with the trees. Very poetic! The fire of the sunset/sunrise? (last photo) was magnificent!

Michele said...

Sheesh, I was trying to pick out my favorite and then I got all flustered because there was too many I liked... ah, I like 'em all! Beautiful shots!!

Dina said...

Your blog is a great eye-opener (as in EDUCATION) for me.
Thank you!

Daniel J Santos said...

All beautiful images, excellent.

Andrea said...

Wow, perfect captures. Love them all.

Mustang Mike said...

Great shots. Have a great holiday and don't use up too much GAS.
Mike

EG CameraGirl said...

Nice shots of the con-trails. Sometimes we see them here north of the city of Toronto, Canada, and sometimes not. (Apparently we're below major fly routes between the southern United States and Europe. -- Doesn't make sense to me!)

Thanks for explaining why they are sometimes seen and sometimes not.

Anonymous said...

spectacular sky shots!

chrome3d said...

You had many wonderful pics, it´s hard to choose just one as a favourite...I think it´s the one with wide con-trail and moon.

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful series of photographs. Love them all. Lesotho sounds so exotic.