A taste for the beautiful is most cultivated out of doors

Thunderstorm smells and heavy clouds, environmental consciousness on the rise, busy dung beetles, swinging horses from old tyres (at Irene Market), desolate dirt roads, Savannah bottle-turned-glasses, veld hikes up copper cliffs, colourful houses, farm fresh produce, peach trees and outdoor pizza ovens (at Peach cafe). So many roots in this African soil. So much to cherish.

Being back home

Back home, with fresh eyes and some gained perspective. It's comforting to see many things are still the same: Jacaranda trees and cicadas, mielie pap, beautiful beadwork, mom's cooking, fruit warmed by the sun, chappies and crosses, smiling roadside vendors, my love of African skies, ousies catching up gossip on the grass. Wandering like a tourist I notice some new developments too: oyster and champagne saturday mornings, lollipop doggie treats, stone craftsmen, a lovely lady named Busi that sells handmade Shweshwe dolls in support of disabled people (all at Irene Market), potjiekos to go, Pretoria central and the new antique route in my home town, innovative wire art, the lushness from rain, paisley back in fashion. It's good to see you again, South Africa.

Heart you lots Pappa Bear

Rosemary hill

Another worthy sunday visit for you. Rosemary hill, a beautiful plot just off the Donkerhoek offramp on the N4 highway in Pretoria, where high tea and quiet scenery combine in the prettiest way. Theresa, the force behind this down-to-earth breathing space, has created a delicate escape from the city - perfect for a sunday family outing. Now that is had waned down to winter, there are no sunday markets but I am sure they will resurface again when it is warmer. There are walking trails around the farm where, as the name states, the family also distill various essential oils. On the offchance that you do come across a market event, be sure to try Pretoria-based Petite Chevre, a 100% organic goats milk cheese. Pure delight.

Market on Main

Visited Jozi's version of Cape Town's Old Biscuit Mill aka Market on Main the other day, it's on every sunday in the metropolitan city depths. How refreshing! Look at the handmade porcelain pretties By Hannah Hughes from the Be Kind range that I came across, or the lasercut key racks of Joburg's skyline from Love Jozi, or the roasted kalamata olive stand, or the Ethiopean coffee outside, or the second hand clothes upstairs.. A truly lovely morning out, but go there early before all the fresh produce and goodies dissappear :-)

Egoli strolling

I've been exploring the inner city streets of Johannesburg lately. What a treat to find urban inspiration in previously decrepit areas, a change of scenery from my usual nature retreats. Like meeting a rapper-looking pastor (whom I didn't believe was a pastor) who told me about a new initiative going on outside the courtyard of Lamunu where free movies are projected onto the building facade of the hotel on friday nights. Last friday was Jaws. How fun is that?

Home sweet home

I have returned to my parents' home for a few weeks while I get my plans ready for my overseas adventure. Oh yes, haven't mentioned that yet. I am going away until further notice. The primary reason for the birth of this blog actually. Staying at home has been a reflective time, since it's the place where my first relationship started, and now it's the place I came to after my longest relationship ended. Funny that. It's a place for drawing, full of my mother's watercolours, snoozing pets, soft fabrics, a mix of African masks, Russian icons and Indian relics, collected over the years from my parents' travels, and a healthy population of rock pigeons nesting in all the possible nook and crannies available to them. A place that I will always come back to.

The hues of Beaulieu

I had to move from a cottage I called home a week ago. It truly had a healing presence and it broke my quiet heart a little to leave it behind. Soft hues, quiet walks and morning shades I woke up to. How I will miss them.

Butterflies and roses

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." A quaint thought as I visited Ludwig's Roses the other day, on the way to Polokwane. Such a hidden-away gem, where I came across newly-born butterflies, rose mojitos, rosehip, mint and hibiscus infused tea with gingerale and grenadine (nom!), rose condiments and of course, roses.. 

Cute as a button

Guess who I met the other day.. The cutest, smallest, pocket-sized pony aptly named Shrimp. Never far away was his big brother, alongside lazy chickens, dogs, geese and tail-wagging ducks. Have you ever seen anything cuter? And that fringe. I'm finished! What a treasure this home is. Thank you Marcelle for letting me meet some of your beautiful family members :-)

Welcome winter

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."

Glowing carmine

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”

Getting to know you..

Let's start with a couple of things about me: I love fresh flowers. And have a soft spot for plots with happy endings.

I adore a boy that loves to play, and take outdoor showers.

 I have lived most of my life on a warm continent, even though I was born on a cold one.

But I've met some beautiful creatures as a consequence.