Sandy Bay in Winter Mood

I am so glad to be back after a trip to Germany. This morning I strolled down to my favorite spot in Sandy Bay. Relaxing in a wintry mood.

A stony friend was watching this special place.

Next to me a reed pushing out into the sun, so perfectly errect.

It was not cold and fairly dry but out at sea the rain was coming down.

A snail safe from being washed away.

A harlequin playing with the drops of last nights rain.

I love the flora of South Africa. So much variety and colour. Here the perfect lime green.

Raindrops on pale leaves.

A spiky plant crowned by a flower.

Flowers out to seduce an insect coming by to pollinate.

Compared with Germany, there is an abundance of variety.

Water on the Mountain

When I got up this morning I saw the clear sky full of stars promising a beautiful day.
I went up towards the old manganese mine from the East Fort on to the Hoerikwaggo trail and down again at the Blackburn Ravine. 
In the morning light I could see the face of the guardian woman watching over the entrance of the bay.

The recent heavy rains had turned the mountain into a water world. At first the rocks looked like giant feet squeezing water out of the mountain.

Later there was water everywhere.

Water pouring down in a winter abundance-

racing towards the sea. 

The gargling haste is in a stark contrast to the solid mountain, to the plants unable to move.

They are living where the wind has planted their seed. Satisfied with every drop of water falling onto them.

The tiniest flower found her place in a crevice of the rocks.

Water brings new life after the inferno of a mountain fire. 

Proteas grow in an endless cycle of winter water, drought, fire and rebirth. 

Today the mountain is wet and green.

Every plant is looking for attention. To get pollinated, to spread and to live on in this cycle of life.

The mountain stands solid. Everything is alive on its surface and I feel so alive, able to move, slowly following a meandering path.

Winter Rain

There was no chance for a walk last weekend and today it's raining on and off. I went and caught some impressions in Llandudno this morning.

Winter paints in his pictures in soft grey colours.

Even the rocks have a gentle touch.

Softly caressed by the rain.

I feel like entering a strange land, on a different planet.

There is a magic place where sweet rain water meets the salty sea.

It is a calm place to sit and rest.

The flowers are waiting patiently, no lovers are coming for their sweet nectar today.

A Juicy Morning on the Way to Sandy Bay

It was foggy this morning in Sandy Bay. The place where I soak up the sun in summer was juicy and wet. The moisture of the night and the spray from the sea creating a mystical atmosphere. 

The earth woman is lying sleeping - exhausted and wet in frozen heat

 from the boiling cold sea, pounding her in a  never ending dance of making love.

The air is spinning a web of wet dreams.

A mother giving birth to juicy little children.

A happy crowd cheering the wetness of the morning.

The soft beautiful moisture is covering every leaf and make the crystal grains of sand smooth. 

Smooth, slippery, making a slimy path for the creatures of the night. 

There are tempting fruits of juicy love, ripe and ready.

Mother Earth's Gift

Today is Mother's Day. Mother Earth celebrates this day with a fantastic Autumn spectacle.
The morning was cold and I got going very late and decided to go up Baviaanskloof again.

Mother Earth greets me with an unbelievable abundance.

A budding beauty so delicate.

Dressed up for the occasion......

.....for a seduction of colour.

Mother dresses in a myriad of forms just as she pleases. Even flowers can be geometric.

 

Perfect lines and patterns.......

.........or perfect camouflaged.

Growing a round soft cushion or........

........ a perfect tree shape.

I can't stop wondering and looking down on Hout Bay from Mother's paradise.

I lost my sense of time. Going down a path which hadn't been walked a long time.

Sandy, slippery and overgrown, going slowly down. Somewhere I lost my reading glasses.

No more photos -  it is past midday and time to stop and go home any way.

Thank you Mother Earth for this precious gift on your special day.

Juicy Myburgh's Kloof

Saturday I walked up to the waterfall above the Phakalane Centre. It was cold and the ground was moist from the previous rains. Little white flowers waiting for to sun to warm the air.

The bed of the stream was dry but as I got higher up I could hear the soothing noise of dripping water. Somebody is stealing the water from the stream and leading it away through a metal pipe.

The waterfall is sheltered from the cold wind and it feels warmer. Water is falling down like in slow motion. A constant soft rain soaking everything.

The kloof is life giving moist and juicy crease in Mother Earth's body. The plants are drinking her sweet juice.

A lily found a nourishing spot in the arms of a tree.

Mothers juice gives new life where things were broken.