Wondering....

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains,
at the huge waves of the sea,
at the long courses of rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars;
and they pass by themselves without wondering."

St Augustine

 

 

Meadering around the Midlands!

We visited Durban and the Midlands this weekend :) I always wanted to go back to the Midlands as the last time I have been there, was more than 10 years ago. We were not disappointed!

We stayed in the African Pride Endless Horizons in Durban on Friday, and although it is small and has beautiful views, the food and service needs a bit of a lift.



 

 

But then we moved inland....and what a beautiful rediscovery. We went back to an old icon, Granny Mouse Country House and it was like walking into a green, lush cocoon of comfort. We stayed in the old part with the little comforts like flowers and slippers and a fire place, not to mention the wonderful king size cloud we slept in. Heaven :))

 

The star of the show is still the gardens and the nature surrounding this old lady. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I can say is...we'll be back!

 

 

 

 



Winged wonders....

My little nephew...the bird whisperer!

 

I am super aware of these beautiful creatures since my balcony had been unceremoniously taken over by a determined pair of doves, just over a month ago. I must confess, I was very apprehensive, but what I witnessed was the most beautiful form of commitment and total dedication to protect, feed and care of a very scruffy looking ball of feathers....ever. 

 

 

 

After 6 weeks of close company, I witnessed the first flight to freedom!
 

 

Today, I felt like a proud parent, softly shooing him on, and with one last look over a still baby-feathered wing, he inelegantly flew/fell over the railing. I checked to make sure the landing was safe, but his two care-takers were right on hand, guiding him along gently. Aaaahhhhh... I was witness to a miracle today:) 

 

 

 

 

O world-ignorance,
Although
You have shackled my feet,
I am free.

Although
You have chained my hands,
I am free.

Although
You have enslaved my body,
I am free.

I am free because I am not of the body.
I am free because I am not the body,
I am free because I am the soul-bird
That flies in Infinity- Sky.
I am the soul-child that dreams
On the Lap of the immortal King Supreme.

Sri Chinmoy

 

 

Beautiful places - Kalkbay

Kalkbay is a favorite weekend escape, and as this is the area where my partner spend his youth, I am blessed with the best tour guide ever :)

View of Simons Town harbour coming from Kalk Bay

We usually stay at the Majestic in Kalk Bay - some nice apartments to rent

Nice and central - you can walk everywhere from here....

Facilities include a spa & an on-premise, cosy restaurant behind the book shop

Simons Town is close by and a nice outing for lunch

 

Nice coffee & interior shop in Simons Town

The Tibetan Tea House is also worth a visit - See details http://www.sopheagallery.com/SOPHEA/Tibetan_Teahouse.html

You are enveloped by the mountains and hugged by the sea :)

Meditation room at the Tibetan Tea House

No visit to Kalk Bay is complete without going to Olympia Cafe...for breakfast, and lunch and why not dinner too?! Great food, nice vibe and a local pit stop 

Very good coffee and scrumptious croissants...actually all their baked goodies are worth the calories!

A breakfast for a carnivore :)

Great staff - makes you feel like family!

We love shopping in Kalk Bay with its distinct "hippy" feel. Great for antique lovers and those looking for that illusive incense you cannot find anywhere but Durban! Places worth a visit are Kalkies, the fish mekka at the harbour, Cape to Cairo if you want to have cocktails and good food and of course the Brass Bell. Drive out with the family, but come early, traffic can become hectic, especially on Sundays.

It takes weekends like these to make me appreciate just how blessed we are to live in Cape Town. So as we await the arrival of the Northern invasion over the festive season, I hope our visitors will focus on our well-earned slower pace, our beautiful food, our exquisite surrounds, our precious people...and forgive us our occasional lapses in service :)

Searching...

Socrates said: “An unexamined life is a life not worth living”. He obviously didn't grow up in Messina! Challenging your beliefs and your perspective can shake up every part of your life and leave you even more confused. I am trying to be OK with confused, whilst searching for amazing experiences this life is offering us.

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.”  - Marie Curie

 

Here are a few  of my truths:

- Everything originates from inside yourself, although it is easier to accept that is was done on to you

- You cannot control life but you can choose to be a victor or a victim in any situation

- We do not have the capacity or the imagination to understand how beautiful we really are

- Empathy and compassion can only be fully experienced when the word judgement does not exist in your vocabulary

- We have all the support we require from the universe to live our absolute best life

- Every problem we have is equal in the opportunity it presents

- Be very clear about what you need (this is key), put it out there and realise that at the right time, it is going to happen

- Shut up and listen...on all levels of your being

- People react to you in the way that you unconsciously believe you deserve

- Love is not an emotion, it is a state of being

- Your mind is responsible for your emotional reactions - shut it down and see what is really going on...much easier said than done!

- Love, like religion is more often used to hurt than to heal

- Anything I can imagine is the truth!



Here I go, bravely facing this new day, always searching...trying to find the words to match my journey.

Your special place...

I again realised after a Goddess Retreat last year, how important your own quiet space is. An amazing woman told me about a place I go to, which keeps me sane and is harnessing my energy. I knew the place she referred to very well :)

The quaint harbour at Struisbaai...

My special place away from it all...

 

This is the place where I feel connected and ready to face life. I now realise that it doesn't matter if it is the sanctuary of a church or temple, a yoga mat or the privacy of a bathroom, even a corner in your home. You have to create a special place where you can connect with yourself. A place where you can go to in a moment, by merely closing your eyes. A place where you can connect with yourself.

 

I thought you had materialized from another planet or star

A familiar stranger

Gazing calmly through the stained glass windows of my eyes

Stained with grief and of old mistrust

 

I returned your smile, uncertain, while with some magical permission

Surely not from me

You rang the bells of my heart, long stilled

Knocked on the door of my mind

‘Till it opened

 

Then reverently, as monks walk

You entered the dark lonely temple of my soul

And you took a moment

         To light a candle              

 Author Unknown