Boatbird

Not something I get to see very often, not being a morning person…

Maybe I should make more of an effort in future.

Many of my people seem to be off to sunny climes just now. You know who you are and I hate you all.

For those of us not actually basking in the sun, here’s a look at somewhere really hot and dry…

John has been to visit his two youngest boys where they live and work on a farm near Aurora, on the West Coast of South Africa . It’s semi desert with temperatures around 40C.

He liked it there; far from civilisation and peaceful. The dirt road sees no cars at all some days.

They grow some sizeable specimens…

And is home to some interesting birdlife…Some tamer than others…

Conrad here is in films – as an extra – what a poser very photogenic.

He’s also a good cook – I remember this from my travels of a couple of years back – this time serving up deep fried rabbit strips…

Which John pronounced delicious.

Geoffrey, the youngest, is the outdoors type…

Well they both are really.

They were involved with an anti poaching unit up near Kruger before. Exciting stuff. They’ve recently been offered work on a Big Game Farm near to Port Elizabeth, which they are about to  start I believe.

Not sure who looks roughest in this one…Only kidding!

Wow, sunflowers…

Now where have I seen that before…?

Ah yes, that’s it!

Spot the UK one.

Well apart from monkeying around in a restaurant on the way to PE…That’s all the pics I have so far. Hopefully there will be more to come and I look forward to sharing them.

Beats banging on about the mud.

Was taking in tonight’s sunset, like I do, when the mist rolled along the river…It actually rolled. Right before my eyes.

Can you see it?

Take a closer look…Got it?

No?

Well, maybe you had to be there.

Believe me, it was spooky. Creeping eerily towards me like the backdrop to a gothic horror movie or something you’d read about in a Stephen King novel.

Or perhaps I should lay off the pills…

Hurtling headlong into the new year. Twelve days in already.

So what’s the story so far?

River’s been up and down like the proverbial, no surprise there, Hobo’s been rocking and rolling in the wind and wellies have become a way of life…

Mud has taken over down in dog-dirt alley…

That said, life is good and I still feel positive for 2014.

My beloved has flown south and is, until the end of March,  in another hemisphere. One where it is summer with constant heat, sunshine and biting things. I feel for him but someone has to go there.

And I remain here with the wet, wind and mud. My choice.

Apart from being sensible, not a trait usually attributed to BB,  I want this year to be the one when the writing really gets off the ground and starts to earn its keep.

And to do that I have to write.

I’ve make the mistake before of thinking that this can be done anywhere but, in reality, it can’t. Or at least not by me. I can be so weak in the discipline department.

I need to establish a routine I can stick to. Without distractions. Even cruising is a huge distraction for me, let alone being in a foreign country where the weather is wonderful, scenery stunning and people so engaging. I don’t stand a chance.

But it’s all still there in my head, adventures past/magical moments/people stories, to be dragged out and turned into words and used for profit.. one of these days.

Of course I’ll miss it.

Especially this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and of course, this…

And so, so much more besides.

But I’ve been busy.

I’ve joined a writers’ group – for motivation and education.

A reading group – for inspiration and socialisation.

A Pilates class – to make me strong and supple, give me good posture and stop me from seizing up. And I’m going to check out the local pool and get swimming.

That’s pretty good for me. Bloody excellent in fact.

I’ve had one friend to visit and another is due to come down later this month. And that’s a big deal, given I live so far away from them these days.

Maybe even get some boating in, given decent weather, when friend no. 2 pitches up. Hope so.

This weekend would be perfect for a chug – no crew. Bugger.

Still, perhaps if when the Pilates makes me strong I’ll be able to do the locks on my own. Now there’s a thought.

I’ve re-established contact with another friend and hope we can meet up again in the near future. He’s never seen Hobo down at dog-dirt, so that would be good. In fact the last time we saw each other was when we did the Thames. And that was July 2011!

Where does the time go?

I’m determined not to let it get away from me this year and feel I’ve got off to a good start. Let’s hope I don’t cave in can keep up the momentum and clock up some writing credits.

I know at least one of my close friends has some serious challenges ahead and I wish her luck, and whatever else it takes, in rising to them. And indeed to all of you that haven’t reached that point where all is as you would like it.

That’s everyone then..

Nothing is perfect and, hell, I wouldn’t want it to be.

Though I have to say, that when I look outside and see the river, the beautiful, big blue sky [well it is as I write] and my never ending garden [let’s call it the countryside], it feels pretty damn close.

Continue reading →