There you are!

I found my purpose again last week, facilitating a super group of people. This raw talent was unleashed after a 5min search for their mojo...which they obviously forced to come out!

There is an old belief that when we are acting out our purpose, we channel magic with help from the universe. I believe this...as these gifts come not from you but rather through you?! And I love Newton's famous quote:

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants"!

Another great rendering of this concept was done by Elizabeth Gilbert of "Eat, Pray, Love" fame:

I have wondered about this elusive space we sometimes enter when we open our hearts to the highest possible good,when we for a moment, are able to forget ourselves....when we are able to pull the magic down from above and go: There you are!

We are....

I am the Stars,

whimsical and light.

You are the Sky,

from where I shine.

I am the Waterfall,

free and wild.

You are the Shore,

holding me gently.

 

 

 

Anne-marie

Cosying around Cape Town...

So off we went in the rain on Saturday. We love Cape Town and driving around, going where any whim leads us, is a wonderful way to spend a day.

We stopped at the Rhodes Memorial for "part one" of our breakfast run....njammelam, with a view!

And then we turned back towards Woodstock. Visited Woodstock Vintage for some shabby chic. By then it was time for lunch. We wanted to have some Indian food and were on our way to Chandani, when we saw Frangipani. Small family owned with real home cooking. We had curry and malva pudding for desert. Love!

Then it was time for a movie at the V&A....Star Trek!!! I am a Trekkie, loved it.
Great day :)

Bethulie, baby!

On the coldest weekend since the start of winter, I got a call from JC to pack warmly, as we were going away for the weekend. Very exited about the prospects of a fireplace and good red wine, I wanted to know where we were going. "Bethulie, baby!" was the answer...

So 867km and many Wimpy Mocha Choca's later, we arrived in the town of Bethulie in the Southern Free State.

Best of Bethulie? JC next to the ATM!

We stayed at Raptors Ridge...totally off the grid - see the solar panels.

Miles and miles of veld with extensive animal farming.

Not one person at the Post office!

mmmm....

I can honestly say that it has been an adventure - but, enough now :)

Into the Wildernis...

I love our weekends, which are supposed to be about work (really!) but then always seem to turn out to be these "going-nowhere-slowly" mini-breaks.

So off we went to the Southern Cape, where JC is developing a piece of land. This area is a favourite of ours, with George, Wildernis, Knysna all being great places to explore. Our special place is definitely Wildernis. With its rugged coastline and beautiful white beach, which stretches out for miles, it makes you gasp ever time you see it.

If you want to splash-out, stay at The Views. And if you want to be close to nature, in a wooden cabin, go for Ebb & Flow. Here you can go for walks, take a canoe out on the river, or just chill on the veranda with a glass of wine.
 

 

 

We also visited the Sedgefield Community Market on Saturday - what a treat! More dogs than people, organic foodies heaven and treasures to be found everywhere - love it.

I discovered Jan Cilliers de Wet, as the artist was in residence at the Market...check out some of his work :)

And do not miss a chance to eat at Pomodoro, a local Italian restaurant in Wildernis. No pretentiousness here, just traditional great food and a festive atmosphere.

So much to discover in this amazing country - cannot wait to go back!



 

Hop-on/Hop-off!

We decided to do the Cape Town tourist thing for Mother's day - we took the red "Hop on - Hop off" bus and did the blue, mini-peninsula tour. Loved it!

Every 20min a bus comes around to the different route stops. You simply choose the tour you would like to do and you can pay with a credit card. We paid around a R150/person and the tour takes under 3 hours if you do not decide to get off at Kirstenbosch for a picnic, at Groot Constantia for a wine tour, or at Hout Bay harbour for some fish & chips. Which we did...with ice-cream!

 

A happy, sunshine day....happy mother's day to all the Moms!
xx

Is it a dream?

I close my eyes

as you drag me up-stairs.

Generously sharing images without reference,

pictures from another space and time.

Is it a dream?

I ask, knowingly

as you, ever so gently, open my eyes.

 

 

Anne-marie

 

 

Simple meditation....

Breathe in..."I am blessed"...

Breathe out..."I am grateful"...

Bliss!

The friendly city!

We spend the weekend in Port Elizabeth, a great excuse as JC had a meeting on Friday. I acted as his wing-(wo)man for the privilege to walk into every person I knew in my previous Corporate life - In I lived in the city for almost 2 years. Two of the most memorable, rewarding and happy years I ever spend working for a big bank, I might add.

Getting of the plane there is a slight shift in energy, laid back, unpretentious and really friendly people. No sports cars, no flashy houses and outfits... just the a nice place with beautiful people.
I bumped into an old school friend, had a reunion with old colleagues and to top in off ran into another colleague in the Greenacres Mall. We strolled on the promenade, had great dinners, went to watch a few movies, chilled at the Beach Hotel...all in all, a good trip.

Happy to have seen you again old friend!

 

 

Gentle soul

 “He’s a gentle soul,

who prefers the company
 of animals to others.”

The Hobbit





We make a peaceful retreat...

We "retreated" to Somerset's Gift, a farm near Swellendam over the weekend. The purpose? Mainly to practice yoga, but....put a great group of women together (OK, there were two stalwarts from another sex) and what do you get?! Copious amounts of chocolate, red wine, with some yoga thrown in between.

But it is not a retreat without a few key ingredients:

1. A hidden place, off the beaten track, which requires a 4x4 and day light to reach
2. Nature - preferably mountains and a winding river on your doorsteps
3. Vegetarian food in copious amounts - yogi's are notorious for their wolfish eating

We had all of the above! Safe to say we had 2 days of....pure bliss :)

Namaste

Be still....

Be still -

so I can feel your breath

 

Be still -

so I can find your hand

 

Be still -

so I can follow your heart

 

 

Anne-marie

 

 

 

 

What is your name?

 

 

What is your name?

Not the name I call you,
 when I have no imagination

and enviously watch you soar.

 

What is your name in heaven?

The sound which stirs your soul,

the sound which sets you free.

 

What is your name, here, at early dawn?

Where you sit perched, with knowing eyes.
Brought here by my tears,

because I forgot your name.

 

 

Anne-marie

 

 

 

 





Nature's poetry...

Why did you mate the moonlit night
With the honeysuckle vines?

How did you know Madeira bloom
Distilled ecstatic wines?

How did you weave the velvet disk
Where tangled perfumes are?

God, when you thought of a pine tree,
How did you think of a star?

Source: God the Artist by Angela Morgan

 

 

 

Now...

I have future regrets about yesterday;

and old fears about tomorrow.

But in this glorious nothingness of now -

I am free.

 

Anne-marie