Homeward bound....

We went up North (Nylstroom) to surprise my parents with a quick visit. My Dad had an amazing year of teaching young and old to play the guitar and finished the year with a concert. Two nights in a row we were treated to witnessing his students: A group from the Abraham Kriel Orphanage, professionals, moms and some very talented upcoming Idols! I wouldn't have missed it for the world - although he nearly had a heart attack when he saw us walking in all the way form Cape Town...LOVE!

I adore them - how did I get so lucky?!

Nature is calling my name...

We were in Mpumalanga over the weekend, and I again realised how much I missed the Lowveld. I was born in Mussina on the border of Zimbabwe, and grew up surrounded by wildlife and boabab trees, so this was almost like going home.

We had a lovely stay at Komati Gorge Lodge. Everything is green, the animals are fat and there is a sense of contentment in the air. Although JC had to work, we had time for long walks and beautifully prepared dinners, accompanied by copious amounts of wine in front of a log fire....bliss :)

Walking towards the stables we came across some Kudu....

A river runs through Komati Gorge Lodge

Beautiful views from our cabin's veranda

 

but.....

I am so blessed to live in Cape Town, by the sea. Every morning is like opening a new book, it unfolds with a crisp smell of promise. The light is different here, the people look fitter and happy - even the dogs coming for a walk on the pier have a spring in their step. It makes me think of this stanza in Lord Byron's classic poem.

The dark, blue sea

 

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.

Lord Byron

 

Maybe it is just about being close to nature :)