Season's Greetings from Creative Escapes

This beautiful image was taken in the Roosenekal area. These exquisite arums are only found in certain areas around November. Specific to the surrounds they light up the veld with their dazzling colour. May 2011 be a remarkable year for you.

Dullstroom Scenes - November

 Lowveld View

 Amaryllidaceae Study

 Plant & Rock Study

 Skyscape 1

 Aloe Impact

 Waterfall

 Skyscape 2

Rustic Shack

Weekend Away - Dullstroom

We have such fun planning exploratory weekends away.

This past weekend we went to a small trout farm called Willowcreek. Off the Roosenekal - Lydenburg road, we chose Loeries Loft a delightful wooden cottage with four bedrooms [two en suite and two downstairs - sharing a bathroom] as our weekend abode. The lounge, diningroom, kitchen is open plan with great facilities.

The log cabin overlooks a trout dam and although we didn't fish, we could certainly see fish rising in the evening. We viewed beautiful sunsets and exquisite sunrises. Two other cottages are available to rent and they look just as pleasant.

I spent a great deal of the weekend reading and enjoying the surrounding calm. David of course spent the weekend photographing anything from waterfalls, zantedeshcias [yellow arums only found in November in the area] in rocks and of course the mist. It rained, the sun shone and it rained. But all good for the photographer.

We had a good meal at a small restaurant in Dullstroom and a very indifferent coffee and scones at another on the Monday on our way home.

Once again we met interesting people, from land owners, to furniture manufacturers to farm workers and cattle farmers all who went out of their way to assist David in his quest for the perfect image.

 The supervisor taking 'shots'

The 'master' creating images

This area is certainly a potential venue for future Creative Escapes adventures.

New Photographs

 Zebra and babe

 Zebra drinking

 Leopard [so close we could have touched his forehead]

 Elephant: Cow and Calf

 Gazelle family

Water Buck and calf

David works on his photographs every spare moment he can. These wildlife images were taken in Kenya at Samburu and the Masai Mara. They give a sense of beauty of the wildlife in those areas.

Web Update

I'm always delighted when our daughter Elizabeth, updates our website. We have our website as our 'default page' so we view it as we open up the 'web' see our site. When we have new pics and articles it's rather fun!

Please go into the site to view our 2011 workshops, weekends and tour, plus some itineraries. Of course we also add new photos for interest. Here is one of David and I communing with the penguins in Antarctica. Thank goodness for 'time exposures'.

Launch

We had a great launch of the 2011 programme at the Rand Club. Together with Allaboutwriting we had over 100 guests which added to the atmosphere of the evening.

First Sighting and Adamaster were some of the delectable wines tasted in the magnificent bar before the presentations.

Once we were seated Richard and Jo-Anne discussed the merits and challenges readers and publishers face now due to the ease of purchase and possible pirating of already published works. Fascinating thoughts to ponder,

David and I presented the 2011 programme and several other short audio visuals which included Antarctica, the Tango and a cheetah hunt in the Masai Mara.

It was wonderful to meet old friends who have supported Creative Escapes for many years. Hopefully 2011 will be another exciting travel year.

2011 Launch 2 November

Rand Club Launch

Creative Escapes is joining forces with the exceptional Allaboutwriting group as we launch our 2011 course schedules.

The launch will be held at the Rand Club on November 2. Jo-Anne and Richard will expatiate briefly on the new challenges facing writers in this second decade of what is quickly becoming a tarnished century. That, at least, is the title of the talk: how they interpret it will depend on their conversations over the next month!

David will present the Creative Escapes 2010 overview and 2011 programme as well as some audio visuals from The South Pole to the Equator, to Lands end in Africa and back again.

We have sent out invitations and if you haven't yet received one please let us know.

This will give us an opportunity to visit the historic club (again, perhaps), enjoy a glass or two of wine (a free tasting!), and satisfy the inner man or woman, with a little soup and a selection of club sandwiches.

Of course, ladies, we no longer have to creep up the back stairs and can walk into the club elegantly and with heads held high!

We look forward to meeting you at this special occasion.

Looking back......

Looking back on previous posts and once we were once more 'on the road' I see that I have written nothing since George's remarkable surprise lunch in the garden.

We continued to have a wonderful time in the Mara with many more surprises: hail in the Mara, torrential rain in the Mara and freezing mornings - all of these weather patterns did nothing to deter our continued enjoyment at being there.

In fact the women I have been working with visited me at the camp on a beautiful afternoon - just after our lunch. We, together with Julius our fantastic go-between, had a most pleasant time sitting and trying to establish some plans for the future.

Ready for a game David and the others called me and so we prepared to leave. Seeing the torrid skies we invited the women to get onto our truck so that we could take them to the village. With rain pouring down and hail stones nipping our skins the women called a halt. Climbed off and sat under a tree which they felt gave them more protection. We beat a hasty retreat back to camp where I managed to have a hot shower and dry off. My Masai women had no such luxury.

We left in great weather, surrounded by good friends and fabulous memories for our next destination Lake Nakuru!

Lunch in the Garden

There is a well planted 'shamba' at the back of the lodge and we were invited to visit it just before lunch yesterday.

George, the chef, is justifiably proud of the garden. Situated at the back of the lodge it is accessible through a courtyard, the backyard, the village workshop, the garages and the church. Quite a trek to get there and when George suggested we visit we were thrilled.

it is well hidden behind a high wire fence which is meant to keep all manner of creature away although of course, elephants think nothing of toeing the fence and the monkeys laugh in the face of anything except William the gardner who sternly throws sticks to keep them out.

Planted in tiers and stages George makes sure that enough 'salad' greens are available to service the needs of the guests.

As we marveled at the fresh vegetables, George informed us that few people knew that a table could be set in the shamba for 'private' functions. Under the avocado tree a beautiful table was set for guests. Red and white roses in a crystal vase, red rose petals lay on the table and a braai in the background cooking beef fillet kebabs and prawns on skewers with grilled vegetables [from the garden] all waiting to be consumed.

George with a flourish waved his hand and said 'this is for you and David mama, for being with us again'! Well I did my usual 'driz' and we sat down for a delightful meal of hummus pate on homemade bread, fresh salad, fillet and prawn kebabs and gilled veggies and delicious macadamia nut torte. Kenyan coffee ended the superb occasion.

As we strolled back to the lodge through the shamba and village we met up with a family of warthogs with four of the tiniest 'wind-up size' babies we had seen. A wonderful ending to our stay.

There's More to the Mara than Crossings

We have as always had the most special time in the Mara. Guests have captured amazing images and we have all shared wonderful times in the bush.

Yesterday we glimpsed a leopard and her cub frolicking [I use the term deliberately] in the scrub near Kichwa. We then drove through the plains and came across a cheetah that has taken up residence in the open areas in front of the camp. A young male, who had eaten most comfortably over the past few days, was hungry and ready to hunt. We watched the whole event with bated breath and much trepidation. The baby gazelle jigging through the veldt and the cheetah waiting his time.

The little one advanced as the cheetah waited with infinite patience. Gazelle lies in a hollow in the grass. Cheetah advances in frozen steps. Cheetah like an elastic band shoots through the bush . Dust. Zig-zags. Dust. No gazelle. No kill. A very puffed cheetah. 1 to the Gazelles, 0 to the Cheetahs and 100% to the photographers who captured the most spectacular photographs.
We never saw the baby gazelle again and think he must have taken a matatu to Nairobi.

We left the cheetah lying in the open surely thinking of missed opportunities. We have a lesson to learn from this. A cheetah misses 9 out of 10 kill attempts. Still manages to get up and try again and again. Thoughts to apply to our own lives perhaps?

Of Meetings and Weddings

Sitting under the trees with Julius [on a stool] and the women surrounding us, we had a great discussion about their talents as beaders and sense of colour.

While we were chatting [with Julius as translator] once of my friends answered her mobile [yes, we all have one in the Mara] with a 'Karibou' - 'welcome'. A new bride was arriving with a welcoming party and suddenly I was involved in a Maasai wedding! I was bedecked with beads and was immediately drawn into the women's welcoming party. The bride, surrounded by her greeters and the rest of the women in the village walked as slowly as she dared, eyed down and looking very solum. Each time she stopped the women called out 'we will give you a cow' and a step forward was taken. As she stopped from time to time throughout the walk to the entrance of the manyatta the same call was chanted 'we will give you a cow'. However a few times the call was 'we will give you a goat', with much laughter from everyone except the bride. She became even more reluctant to enter her new abode and took two steps back.

After much stopping and starting the bride reached the entrance to her new home and great ululations were trilled. I was escorted to meet the young woman who shyly dipped her head and stooped through the archway to her new home.

The men slaughtered three goats under the trees where women are not permitted and where only men are allowed to eat the juiciest portion of meat. Those being 'taboo' for the woman. We [Julius, I and the driver Daniel] were graciously given three portions of meat which was collected by Julius while I remained in the vehicle. You can imagine how, I as a non-meat eater I felt at the honour!

I certainly learned again the value of being a woman and where my place is. What a wonderful experience. Badai [till later] must see the Masai dancers in about 30 minutes and cheer on the highest jumper!

Village Visit

Some of you may know that we visit the same village annually. I have also been planning to visit the women with thoughts and ideas of how to work together so that their incredible talent for beading can be directed and used in another way.

Julius, the community worker at Kichwa and I were given a meeting one morning. The women gathered under the trees with the two of us - ceremoniously perched on all too small stools with the women comfortably sitting on the ground around us.

We discussed business principles and once they have agreed to procedure I will let you know how we will go forward.

Second Home??

Arriving back in Kenya is like returning home. The airport is familiar, the customs officials as grumpy as anywhere else in the world - especially if you have enough camera equipment to open a store or look like the official BBC team.

Even after the flight [which leaves at 12:40 in the morning] which is short but at a crazy hour - the breakfast shared with our friend George Gituku from Custom Safaris was welcome and friendly and made up for any subversive customs attention.

We had a short transfer to Wilson airport and no sooner that we arrived there than we were put onto the Dash for Kichwa,

Our friends were on the runway to welcome us with a delicious punch and open arms.

David. Tokkie and Frans have taken some amazing photographs, with our first crossing on arrival!

of Farewells and Preparation

As always just before a tour there are moments of panic - trying to recall that everything has been planned and confirmed - and then more concern that all the day to day running of house and home will continue without hitch. So family members are briefed and staff know exactly how to continue.

We always have a Sunday family lunch and today was no exception. Family enjoyed a roast with veggies and pud and we toasted the Mara and all that we hope to see there. of course we look forward to meeting our friends and re-establishing our friendships.

We arrive in Nairobi next Saturday in time for breakfast and leave for the Mara from Wilson airport at 10h00. We hope to keep you updated on our tour. We go to the Mara for a week and then onto Lake Nakuru, Ol Pajito and Samburu.

I have added some photographs of some of our Kenyan friends.

Of Interviews and chat

The phone rings, the interviewer introduces herself and you and before your know it your voice enters the airways and away you go.

Questions pepper the air, you respond - and think, did I really say that? Did it make sense? Did I talk about the Mara, did I mention the wildebeest and the tents - were they luxurious or comfortable?

Yes to all I am told. The interview is done. Let's hope the people respond.

Only two weeks till we see our friends in Kenya again.

People & Places

As always, if it weren't for the people there would be no tours. Here are a few 'shots' of our guests in Lesotho and Fouriesburg on the July Snow & Ice Creative Escapes weekend. From the icy chill in Lesotho to the warm conviviality of Fouriesburg everyone had a great time.

July Ice and snow weekend

Well, I obviously did not do a wild enough snow dance to call up snow, but ice, clear skies and frozen water were what nature presented for us over the weekend.

We began the weekend with a dinner on Friday night and a few of David's audio visuals began the weekend in a convivial way. The 'AV's' included beautiful images of icebergs in Antarctica, the Tango dancers in Buenos Aires and exquisite images of ice and snow from a trip David did into Lesotho to find the best photographic spots.

An early morning start on Saturday found us at the border for an easy transition into Lesotho. The drive up the mountains in the early morning light is always spectacular and the sun clipping the tops of the mountains is a magnificent start to the day, even at that early hour.

We arrived at the Malibamatso River in time to capture beautiful early morning photographs of sun reflections and icy streams. Breakfast picnic packs were warmly welcomed and we enjoyed sitting in the sun at the bridge near Oxbow.

Photographers continued their enjoyment throughout the morning and shared another picnic pack at lunchtime. The afternoon was left free to meander home in the late afternoon. This was in time to share another delicious meal and much sharing of 'photo tips and locations'.

Another early morning start was in store for Sunday with the group walking to the Sangoma Cave which is the biggest overhang in the Southern Hemisphere. Here sangomas are taught by elders the skills of divining and healing. Special photo journalist shots were captured with the sangomas as most co-operative models.

The weekend ended with a brunch where tired but contented guests shared final conversations and all agreed that this was a special weekend indeed.

Comments from guests:
Peter van der Bijl
I certainly had a great time over the week end, and found the areas visited to be fantastic fun with wonderful photo opportunities. So many images were taken and I am still in the process of working through them. Peter van der Byl

Karin de Jager
Dear David and Anne-Marie
Thank you for a lovely weekend. Coenraad and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you for great opportunities to learn and experience nature. We will
definitely keep in touch.

Johan Brits:
Thank you for the weekend. Elsa and I always enjoy our time with you. It is always good to meet new faces and re-connect with 'old' friends.

Alice Gundry:
Mum and I had a fantastic time in Lesotho and Fouriesburg, both photographing and meeting new people. Many thanks for this weekend.

June in Lesotho

We love to travel to the Free State and Rose Cottage enjoying the variations of season and scenes.

This past weekend seemed to be the coldest we have ever experienced. With temperatures below zero at -8. With the windchill factor it was extremely cold in Lesotho with David's fingers almost freezing on the camera.

Isn't it strange that even if it's your own home, it is sometimes so cold that nothing but a hot bath and a hot blanket and coffee laced with brandy helps.

We look forward to the July weekend - and even hope for snow to add to the exquisite frozen streams and waterfalls.

Soccer Fever

We are delighted that our July Lesotho/Fouriesburg Ice and Snow weekend is fully booked.

But before we get there we have the 2010 SOCCER!

Here are some fun photos of David and Anne-Marie and Rachel and Ashleigh as firm supporters of South Africa! No we haven't blown any Vuvuzelas - we have friends who can't talk after an afternoon of 'blowing'!

A few of David's Photos