Another Adventure

It's amazing what our cat Roxanne can manage to 'pull out of the hat'. I never feed her, she has the other members of the household doing that at a flick of a tail. However, I was coerced to giving her a few 'crumbles' on my birthday, and was told 'you might get a surprise'. So with some reluctance I fed the cat. No surprise arrived, so once again I thought I'd been duped.

However on the evening of my birthday, I was presented with an envelope and tickets and accommodation for a week in Thailand - including a partner! Luckily I did not have to think to deeply about that and David and I leave for Thailand on Saturday. I will update with photos and chat when we are there.

In the meantime we are enjoying the quiet of Rose Cottage before the onslaught of Bangkok.





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Back Home

As always our time in the Masai Mara was spectacular. We flew over the Mara River to land at the Kichwa Tembo landing strip. The savannah opened before us and we were certain once more that a special time awaited.

On our first early evening drive we encountered two leopards mating. An unusual and remarkable sighting. This was the beginning of another Masai Mara week. On our first morning out we witnessed a wildebeest crossing which lasted about 45 minutes. With waves of animals crashing down the river banks the photographers were able to capture some special images.

Benson our ranger,who's eagle eyes pick out the smallest creature, sfforded us wonderful sightings. From jackal pups to hyena cubs, several pride of lion with cubs and mating couples, we were fortunate indeed.

The weather was overcast and cool, but we had good light and great comeraderie. the staff at Kichwa Tembo were helpful and accommodating. The food was as delicious as ever and we already look forward to our 2012 tour from 8 - 15 September.



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Location:Johannesburg

Masai Mara 2011

We cannot believe that we are once again off to the Masai Mara. This is one of our favourite tours of the year and each year we visit gives us a different experience.

This is our seventh year in the Mara. Even though we leave Johannesburg at the unmentionable time of 12:20 [after midnight] we have the anticipation of our friends in Kenya again. We love flying over the vast savannah plains into the Masai Mara and enjoy the element of surprise that every day brings.

We look forward to the rumble of thunder in the late afternoons as we drive back home. The skies black will rolling clouds hold such promise for both creatures, land and photographers.

Our group is small this year and we have the pleasure of meeting our guests [from Australia] in Nairobi. Longtime supporters of Creative Escapes, we will no doubt have a great reunion.

Once again, after our trip to the Mara, we venture further afield to the ancient land of Abyssinia, now Ethiopia. We explore the ancient cities of Lalibela and Axum and David will be in his element evaluating new and intriguing scenes.

I will certainly update the FaceBook pages as and when I can, otherwise images will be uploaded on our return.

Snarling Leopard

Snow in Lesotho

Once again David and I raced to to the Eastern Free State firstly to take supplies down to Rose Cottage, but luckily snow had fallen in Lesotho and it was simply too good an opportunity to miss more photographic opportunities.

Rose Cottage waited for us and we enjoyed the snug fire where we 'picniced' for all our meals. We were at the border before dawn and sailed through without a problem. The drive to the Mala Bamatso River was breath taking as we curved higher and higher into the snowline. Frozen waterfalls fringed the road and drifts of snow covered the mountains.

David as ever took some beautiful images. The ones you see below are mine, but never the less give a good impression of the great day we had in Lesotho.

 A-MM Wrapped up

 Snow Drift

 David and a Shepherd

David having fun

July Frigid WInter Weekend - Fouriesburg and Lesotho

Once again the weather played its part. With the remarkable summer rains, Lesotho's waterfalls turned to ice for the Creative Escapes photographers.

Early mornings are biting cold and 'cold to the bone' is a term that is well understood by the photographers this past weekend.

With warm welcomes on return and hot soup and tasty stews in the evening, the group felt that the cheek biting weather was worth the effort.

 The Malobamatsi River - Lesotho

Frozen River

We donned our Antarctic gear and with good wind breakers, ruffs and 'long-johns' we braved the chill to enjoy superb photographic opportunities.

The images David captured were exceptional and certainly made the early morning trek into Lesotho more than worth while.

The Netherlands and France

We enjoy travel. That's a fact. But of course travel is not for the fainthearted.
When we planned our trip to Europe we chose to visit just two countries and not the 'if it's Tuesday it must be Belgium' tour.

At Keukenhof

We had visited both countries before and with David;s long standing love of photography we of course now have a different 'focus'. Keukenhof was all we expected and the paths and flow of flowers appeared to last forever. David's images capture the colours and form and can be seen on our website. We met friends from Antarctica there and spent many hours reminiscing and sharing good food, quaffing the beer and of course, taking photographs of windmills, canals and tulips.

France was another great experience where we hopped on and off buses to view Paris at her sparkling best. We stayed with American-British friends of ours, Dan and Zara. We traveled from Giverny to Chartres while in Paris and enjoyed the efficient public transport. We then boarded a train to the Dordogne area where we stayed with friends in a gem of village called Carloux. We met  Harry in Namibia and he invited us to stay with he and his wife Susan to explore the surrounding countryside. We climbed stairs, padded along cloisters and shared breath taking view sites.

In our European travels we were fortunate with weather, good photographic opportunities, good food and friendship.

Do view our website for details and photographs.

Cosmos Weekend - March 2011

The Eastern Free State is blooming - with beautiful cosmos fields!

We thought we were going to be disappointed, but once again we were delighted by the cosmos fields. Mostly white this year, the flowers curled, swirled and swayed as photographers donned water boots and plodded through fields, stood on car roofs and simply had fun in ideal weather conditions!

The writers sat quietly learning how to craft, pare down and scene write. Richard and Jo-Anne [an amusing song and dance team] took us through the finer points of writing from idea to finished piece.

Samantha - writer in residence

A new aspect of the weekend is that each photographer has been requested to send four of their favourite [worked] images to us to be added to our blog and website. Of course the writers will do the same.

One Cosmos Afternoon

Image: David Moore

Watch this space in the next few days. We will have some more beautiful images to view.

Write your Photo

The group that joined David and Fred had a great morning discussing photos and writing. Challenging images and thoughts were given to participants and with homework set to be sent before the final morning students were challenged to extend their repertoires.

This image of the Taj Mahal by David evoked much interactive discussion.

A few facts: Built by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife after her death. The monument was built over a period of twenty two years by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from 1630 for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal after her death in childbirth. 

1. Write a caption for the image:

2. Now write a short descriptive paragraph to entice people to visit one of the seven modern wonders of the world in Agra.

Tagore, great Indian poet and philosopher wrote: The Taj Mahal is a tear on the face of eternity. 

Send us your responses. 

Write Your Photo

Join David and Fred as they take you through creative steps to learn to Write Your Photo. They will encourage you to Find Story to fit your Photo or the Photo to fit your Story!

Two fun-filled morning will be enjoyed by all: Sunday 6 March and Sunday 3 April as a follow-up.

 

An image taken in the Dullstroom area by David. 

What would you caption this image? What story would you write about it? Join the workshop and find out more.

February Day Workshop

It is always exciting to meet new photographers. In our first workshop of the year we met some keen photographer, people with new cameras and new enthusiasm for a new found hobby!

David's presentations included evaluation of light, understanding exposure and introduction to Photoshop. Of course creativity was a focus and as that is one of David's passions.

As always Helen served a delicious meal and wine from several vineyards was enjoyed.

David chatting to the group

The day was intense and rewarding. The next Creative Escapes weekend is Cosmos in March in the Eastern Free State. We hope to see you there.

Fouriesburg & Lesotho January 2011

David & Anne-Marie at the Malobamatsi River, Lesotho

It is always a pleasure visiting the Eastern Free and after the magnificent Summer rains our mid-January journey was a real treat. David and I have just returned from a wonderful 'sight-seeing' weekend in the eastern Free State and Lesotho. Our cottage in Fouriesburg looks grand with the garden green, roses in full bloom and white Michelmas daisies making a wonderful show.  Rose Cottage welcomed us as we enjoyed another cosy, relaxing time there.

David of course was determined to go into Lesotho if the weather held and somehow the rain skirted Fouriesburg and the skies were clear on Saturday. An early morning start had us at the border before opening and being first in the queue was a pleasure. With skies clear and the air crisp we drove through villages and were in awe of the exquisite mountains covered in an emerald sheen, with ribbon waterfalls cascading at almost every turn.

Waterfalls usually iced in winter, dropped meters onto the valleys below and created magnificent images for the avid photographer. David stopped at every opportunity as we climbed to Oxbow. Greeting shepherd and driver alike all of whom were thrilled by the beauty surrounding us. 

What is exciting is that with all the rains, there will surely be large patches of cosmos [some already blooming along the highway] for the Creative Escapes weekend in March. Faint tinges of yellow tip the poplars, as they prepare for the autumn weekend in April and of course, with the magnificent amount of water, there will surely be spectacular iced waterfalls for July. 

Thinking of planning a great weekend away? Remember that Fouriesburg is only a three hour drive from Johannesburg and not much more from Natal. Treat yourself to a relaxing and creative weekend whether it be photography or creative writing with Creative Escapes, where the Eastern Free State awaits. 

For further information browse our web-site:www.creative-escapes.co.za and for bookings contact Anne-Marie: dmoore@iafrica.com

Of A New Year and Courses

We hope the Season of Joy and Merriment fills your year with happiness, warmth and many days of travel and photography!

The Creative Escapes day workshop in February is very popular for both beginners and photographers who would like to 'dust off their lenses' and update their knowledge. We have a number of fathers and daughters for the Sunday workshop. Why not treat yourself and a family member to share the day?

March is a great weekend for both photographers and writers alike. An ideal opportunity to explore your creativity in word and image. We hope for a bumper Cosmos year!

April, one of the best times of year in the Free State with magnificent autumn colours and great photographic opportunities.

Remember the two trips to Kenya to experience new camps and animals in June and the remarkable wildebeest migration in September.

Anne-Marie's creative calligraphy classes begin in January. You may also be interested in her two new writing courses.

David and Anne-Marie look forward to welcoming you to a Creative Escapes tour or weekend in 2011. Booking is essential. Contact Anne-Marie dmoore@iafrica.com

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