Sunday sunrise in Fourways

Mike and I went out early on another one of our photoshoots. It’s wonderful because you’re home again by eight o’clock and still have the whole Sunday ahead of you. We didn’t go far, just wanted to capture the cranes at the Fourways development against the sunrise. It had rained the night before and the clouds were still heavy with rain in the west. Mike shoots time-lapse, daybreak to day. I am just mucking about taking some photographs of my own. The first part seems so slow, a little pink on the horizon, then the clouds painted orange and purple. When you blink again the sun has sneaked up into the sky behind the clouds and it’s time for breakfast. Mmm, good food at Carmella’s.

Between Kaysers Beach and Igoda river mouth

I flew to East London. The flight is a can of sardines, full to the brim. But all good because soon I am at the beach.

Missing my brother on this flight with all his apps because I don't know what mines those are, what mountains, silos.

We fly over a thousand hills and they all have ridges on the south side.

Lots of rivers winding towards the sea, and the sea rushing up to greet them.

Most gorgeous drive down from the airport to Kaysers Beach. Sun setting, fields, the cows, rivers. Delightful.

This is how I came to be in Kaysers Beach: on the Woolworths tub of butter they describe that it is made from the milk of cows in the Eastern Cape between Kaysers Beach and Igoda river mouth. I didn't know where it was so I looked it up and then went to see it for myself. I 

I went for long walks on the beach, high dunes, an icy wind whips up the sand and stings my legs. There was never another soul visible, no other footprints. The sea, the sky and I. Bliss.

By 08:00 I have completed my required daily steps. Breakfast (oats) at my little cottage, sitting on the stoep, gazing at the sea. Then out in the car to explore the area. 

I drove to Kidds Beach for another long walk and happened upon a baptism on the beach, wonderful. It was such a cold day but they seemed not to care. The pastor told me they have faith that they will not get sick. Lots of shells to pick up.

Lovely little restaurant on the corner, overlooking the sea, with a roaring fire. Lunch and coffee.

Next stop Nahoon Reef walkway in East London. And onto the beach there. Drove down into the harbour and found the fisherman's fish and chip shop on the river bank. Crowds of locals, that's how you can tell it's good food.

The next day it's much the same pattern. 

I take a book with me and spend some time at the restaurant reading. Explore the roads that take you to the river mouths, there are so many. Some are single lane paths and steep, some just end long before the river mouth.

Drive along the dirt roads on either side of the main road looking for the cows that make the milk that makes the Woolworths butter. Find a tiny little church and a house in ruins in a large open field with the sunset as backdrop.

Yes, I find plenty of cows. The farms and the fields, it all seems so romantic. I had always wanted to live on a farm, but alas...

More of the same on another day and pizza for dinner on the beach. 

Back to the airport, and back home. 

Thank you for an an unexpected adventure.

Walks on the beach

My brother and I had to travel to the Southern Cape for a family matter. Not the greatest of circumstances but it gave us some time together which we haven’t really had for the longest time. Last time we spent 3 - 4 days together, on our own, was 30 years ago when we went to Londolozi. It is wonderful to have the time to spend with a sibling who is also your best friend.

We had early morning walks on the beach, collected shells, saw dolphins, had good lunches and tasty braais for dinner at our brother’s house.

This was in June. I should have made some notes on my thoughts and feelings then. Now, all these months later, and with so much that has happened since I cannot connect to the sentiment of the trip.

However, see below the awesome pics.

Crazy in the morning

We get these crazy ideas on a Friday afternoon when we know that in a half hour we are free from work and it's the weekend. So we plan to get up at 5:00 on Sunday and be in the Cradle by 5:30 to watch the sunrise. We are so excited. We stop for coffee at the same corner where others are grabbing coffee on their way home from their great Saturday night that lasted until the next day. The coffee tastes delicious and it's warmth contrasts with the biting cold of the winter's night. I am wearing more layers than a virgin bride on the wedding night, and I am as fridge(t), ha ha. (Yes, I know the spelling is wrong, just go along with my humour).

The light creeping over the horizon creates a magnificent vignette on the sky canvas. It changes so subtly the eye can hardly follow it, so we freeze it as images on camera and register night becoming day. A ball of white light rushes towards us from behind the trees and then suddenly it's just a yellow ball hanging in the blue sky.

We look over our shoulder and gasp, while the sun has been rising so have some hot air balloons. They are moving slowing and silently, getting closer and then start coming down. I run along the road to find where it goes down in the field. It collapses, lopsided and clumsy when a moment ago it was floating elegantly and gracefully.

Mike is still back at our original spot completing the time-lapse capture on cyclists on the road, each of the commenting on the cold as they pass, each enjoying being out here on this crisp quiet morning. 

We have breakfast at a venue close by and are home before 10:00.

What did you do Sunday morning?

Take a moment

Another day in paradise

Most beautiful sunrise,  Keurboomstrand

Early morning

Oh no! It's the last day

Still and calm

Tuesday morning, 06h30, Dar Es Salaam

Got up early and went for a walk

Sunday morning.
At the end of this road is my house.

Is no-one up yet?

Early, Saturday morning.

Summer is on its way

It getting light earlier and staying light later – summer is on its way! Well, okay, spring! Then summer, yes.

Sunrise this morning!

What a great start to the day!