Wintery Deer Park

After nearly 4 weeks away I am so happy to be back. I had to go and visit Deer Park and say hallo.

 

It is really winter only the water is alive and wild after the rain.

 

 

Big fat drops are dancing in the wind.

 

 

 

Medusa is holding on at the side of the stream

 

 

A butterfly in the making, a chrysalis full of  mysterious alchemy.

 

 

Sleepy dragons are hiding.

 

A shy beauty is showing her face and trying for some sun light.

 

Some succulent does not care and is in full bloom.

 

Besides the raging stream there is calmness and resting of the winter season.

I am home at my beloved mountain.













Waterfall in Baviaanskloof, Hout Bay

It was a very cold morning and I went back to Hout Bay to visit the waterfall in Baviaanskloof.

 

A flower braved the cold with perfect symmetry. 

The little stream was fast flowing, bubbling along. Too cold for frogs. 

I saw snow balls growing in the cold air. 

The path is dark and mysterious. 

 

The noise is giving the cascading water away. 

Invisible to the eye, the air is full of tiny drops. Orbs are dancing.

It is an easy scramble up towards the warmth of the sun. Suddenly I see an empty heart, waiting to be filled.

I see life piercing through a thick cover knowing ist direction.

I see a yoni where the protea branches. Every point of growth is marked with the sign of the feminine.

All growth is celebrating life without hesitation. A flower knows no fear.

Weekend in Stilbaai

We went on a weekend away to the Wild Olive Farm outside of Stilbaai. Not quite Cape Town but well worth a visit. 

We arrived Friday in the dark and I was greeted on Saturday morning with a spectacular sunrise. 

Wild Olive Farm grows olives and organic veggies.

To see the perma culture gardening in action was amazing.

Chicken living as they are supposed to live, a lively and happy bunch.

Our home from home was the Apple Tree cottage. 

We enjoyed the old world "Gemütlichkeit" and the fireplace.

Two noosey fellows joined us for breakfast on the veranda.

We felt surrounded by love.

From the farm it is a mere 11km to the village and the sea.

We spent late afternoon at the river in absolute stillness.

The sun was setting over the valley..

In the twilight...

we caught "Haas" grazing.

Before leaving on Sunday I went on a short walk hunting for pictures.

Even just along the path there was so much to see.

Thanks to John and his very friendly staff for the hospitality. We had a relaxing and refreshing weekend.

Echo Valley Walk

The mountain above Kalk Bay is magical. Sunday morning I walked up Echo Valley. 

Right at the beginning I was reminded that death can come quickly.

A praying mantis caught in a web, crushed and unable to move.

Dry fynbos, like a reminder of the life that has been.

At the same time blue seduction....

and shiny courting announce a new beginning.

A ghostly dead tree becomes the fertile ground and carries new growth.

Deep in the valley is a mysterious forest holding ancient wisdom.

Passing through I am bathed in light.

And paradise is created from light, air, water and earth.

Reaching a top with magnificent views.

Visiting the caves I meet mother earth.

The decent is to steep for my liking and I lost the way.

Walking alone I don't want to take a risk and decide to return the same way as I came up.

Born again through a dark valley and return to the sea at Kalk Bay.