The City of Cape Town honours the Cape’s Fire-fighters and Rescue workers

The City of Cape Town and its residents rightfully honoured the Cape’s Fire-fighters and Rescue workers on International Fire-fighters Day, May 2 2015 at Zandvlei recreational area.

This event marked a special occasion for the Capes fire-fighters especially after they laid their lives on the line battling some of the worst fires in the Cape’s history this summer.

Cape Fire burns on the Southern slopes of the Cape mountain range. Pic Jacques Unshakable West

This summer season fires razed over 300 000 hectares with fires in more than 300 locations across the Western Cape.

Not too long ago we witnessed the fire-fighters battling one of Cape Town’s biggest fires first hand as the flames swept from Muizenberg across Ou Kaapse Weg through Silvermine and Tokai Forest’s to Constantia and Hout Bay.

For days our braves fire-fighters and rescue services battled the blaze, just when they doused this fire they were called out to battle a fire high in the mountains of Bains Kloof.

Fire-fighting services vehicles on display Zandvlei recreational park in Muizenberg pic: Working on Fire

A dry summer with hot and windy conditions created high fire danger conditions.

In the face of their best efforts a number of fighters lost their lives, a reminder of the dangerous conditions under which our fire-fighters operate.

The people of Cape Town came out in their numbers to celebrate International Fire-fighters Day and to personally thank their heroes for keeping them safe.

The event started with a cavalcade of fire-fighting services vehicles leaving from the Roeland Street Fire Station travelling to Zandvlei recreational park in Muizenberg.

After a remembrance service to honour the fallen fire-fighters, rescue workers and fire-fighters put on a display to showcase their skills and vehicles.

The event ended with a ceremony awarding the top achievers in Cape Town’s Fire Services.

The International Fire-fighters Day is celebrated annually since 1999 among the fire-fighting community to commemorate the efforts of these brave men and women’s commitment and dedication to their work and to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives answering the call of duty.

St Florian’s Day is celebrated as a ‘Day of Service’ on the 4^th day of May.

St Florian, the patron saint of fire-fighters. He was the commander of a fire-fighting squad in the Roman Empire and lost his life in fire-fighting service to the public.

Grab your basket Cape Town has a venue for every picnic occasion

eaSummertime in Cape Town is an ideal time for a number of outdoor activities, one such activity is a favourite for a number of Capetonians hoping to enjoy the fine summer days and dusky evenings.

Spier picnic basket

I know a number of you would be thinking going to the beach, spending time with the family at the movies or even hosting a family braai (barbecue), but it’s neither of these… it is however, a picnic.

A picnic in any of Cape Town’s scenic spots is a firm favourite for locals and tourists alike, fine weather and great views make for a fine outdoor activity.

The humble picnic allows you to fill your basket with food to suit any occasion; salads, cold cuts, yoghurt, fruit, crackers, pate’s, breads, jams, cheeses, fruit kebabs, chocolate, champagne and orange juice make for a perfect picnic meal.

Whether it’s a morning breakfast picnic at one of the many nature reserves that ring the Cape, an afternoon picnic at a local wine estate or an evening sunset picnic on the western side of Table Mountain, Cape Town has a picnic venue for e very occasion.

Beach Picnics

Top picnic spots in Cape Town include; Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Table Mountain, Lions Head, Tokai Forest, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Paarl Mountain, Zeekoevlei, Wynberg Park, Zandvlei, Signal Hill and Green Point Urban Park.

Beaches famous for sunset picnics include Oudekraal, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Clifton Beach and Blouberg beaches.

Sunset from Signal Hill

Many wine farms around the Cape like Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting in Constantia, Boschendal Wine Estate between Franschoek and Stellenbosch, as well as Blaauwklippen and Spier in Stellenbosch offer great options for a picnic.

No matter what your picnic option, Cape Town has a venue for every picnic occasion so grab the picnic basket, fill it with tasty goodies and head for your picnic spot of choice.

Please note: – No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Cape Town’s beaches.

Top Tips to make your picnic hassle free:

1. Pick your spot to ensure your picnic can be accessible and safe especially at night.
2. Keep it simple.
3. Pack only the food you will eat, ensure that allergies are noted.
4. Pack the essentials.
5. Make sure you’re fully equipped for your adventure.
6. Here’s a list of essentials for your outdoor excursion:

• Picnic basket and/or cooler box
• Bottled water (freeze overnight and use as an ice pack)
• Outdoor dinnerware, plates, cups, cutlery
• Napkins
• Corkscrew and/or bottle opener
• Tablecloth and/or a picnic blanket
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• citronella candles or battery powered lamps
• Warm clothing should the weather take a turn for the worst
• Make sure someone knows where you are going
• Ensure that your mobile phone battery is fully charged and that there is mobile phone reception
• Avoid any risk of food poisoning
• Avoid ice cream as it will melt before you reach your picnic spot
• Avoid sticky puddings, and sweet cakes as they attract insects
• Trash bags.

 

Make sure you leave only your footprints at the picnic spot.