There has been much construction activity at the Castle over the last couple of days (see Thursday’s photos), and all the preparations for the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2013 in this coming week are almost done!
I have another batch of photos for you, showing the progress on the four seating stands and the lighting towers in the front arena, the boardwalk that was constructed to lead the special guests and functionaries to the Het Bakhuys venue, and the mess tent that has been erected for the participants just outside the big Castle walls. After last year’s problems with the powerful southeasterly wind, which blew down the tent, toppled some lights, and lifted parts of the boardwalk, additional precautions have been taken this time.
The tent for the participants
The lovely Kat archway
Building the seating stands one slab at a time
The little forklift has been busy!
Lights
Forklift man poses obligingly for a photo!
Everyone knows what they must do – a skilled team
The chairs must still be affixed to the stands
The lighting crew
Climbing up the lighting tower
A group photo!
The boardwalk leads to the Het Bakhuys function venue at the back
I love these colours and the shapes of these archways…
Thumbs up!
Teamwork
Keeping hydrated in the hot muggy heat
Steps leading where?
View from the top
Lights mounted above the Kat roof
Lighting tower – makes one’s head swim…
The seating stand on the far side has been finished
The Egyptian geese ignore all the activity, and continue grazing
That’s how the seating stands are assembled
Table Mountain and the Castle – what a backdrop to the Tattoo!
Affixing support struts for the lights
The lighting box on the balcony
The side barriers have to be fastened on too
Pulling up the big lights
Work on the stands is almost finished.
Grains of Sand 
Love those yellow archways. What a wonderful location for your Tattoo. Ours is held in a dreary old indoor stadium…
I think we are very fortunate to have the Castle as such an extraordinary backdrop too, Sybil. It is the oldest colonial building in South Africa, having been constructed between 1666 and 1679. This may not sound very old, when compared to many of the buildings in Europe, but in the African context, it’s pretty impressive. There is certainly a sense of history – and I do believe those walls do occasionally ‘talk’. 😉
Looks like a lot of preparations are needed for the military tattoo. I agree with Sybil; that castle looks like a great location for the event. Hopefully no wind will make problems for this year’s military tattoo. Great series of images, which tells the story of the preparations.
Thank you very much, Munchow; it’s been absolutely amazing to be behind the scenes again this year. There is SO much work going on in the background, with an incredible number of talented and dedicated people working diligently to make this event happen. It’s “just” three nights of ‘actual’ performances, but I never knew just how much has to happen all around it. So that is what I’m trying to highlight in my posts.