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.

Klipriviersberg nature reserve

What a wonderful day. Got home exhausted but felt great.

This is a great reserve to walk/hike at. There are many people and some are faster than others but everyone is enjoying the great outdoors. I only did some of the trails, the brown one, bit of the blue, red and green but a mish-mash and in a loop to get back where I started from. Crossed over on the pipeline and avoided the steep and rocky hills because my intention had been to go for a leisurely walk. But five hours later when I ran out of water I really wanted to call it quits. I started chatting to this guy and the went right past the exit so I had to go all the way back again. Argh. Ha, ha!

On a day when I didn't go to work

I took a day off work and browsed through Everard Read, and at Circa they were still setting up the exhibition for the evening, First Thursday.

Would have loved to explore Keyes Art Mile but it was still so busy with labourers, construction works and store managers all trying to get things done. Laying the tiles for the stairs, paving the sidewalk and fitting lights etc. I wasn't sure if the scaffolding was going up or coming down, supports were being carried in and out, hmm. I am rather going to wait for the ta-da! moment when everything is complete. 

Drove the short distance to Delta Cafe for lunch then walked around in the community vegetable garden before stumbling upon Bamboo Palace. Good chat with the guy there; sorry I didn't get his name. Anyway, lovely and eclectic collection of furniture, paintings and nic-nacs. Inspired to paint some furniture myself (but nothing really comes of it).

Before you know it it's late afternoon and I pop into the River Cafe (Sandton Field and Study centre) for an early supper. Then a walk along the river. 

On the other side of the river, a stream really, amongst the trees and boulders, and within the fenced boundaries of the park, are groups of homeless or vagrants soaking up the last warmth of the sun before the cold of night creeps into their bones. Is it an unwritten agreement, by mutual consent, that they will remain on that side of the stream while on this side suburbans walk their dogs, jog or play ball with their children?

Stop and take a look

Some moments on the drive down. I would also have stopped for the single sunflower on the side of the road, the man relaxing under the tree, the boys herding cattle, the man walking his dog, the ladies walking through the long grass, the washing on the line. Sigh! Compromise ;-)

Follow the path

19 April - arrive in Kenton-on-Sea