1 YEAR LATER!
08th May 2024
I emigrated to the beautiful village of Haenertsburg in South Africa, a few days over 1 year ago on 29 April 2023 & I am pleased to report I am happily settled in the midst of a generous, supportive, helpful community! Additionally, I have 2 lively "rescue dogs" who provide companionship & many new grey hairs! No really, my heart swells with love when I watch them, sleeping or running & I wouldn't be without them.
Photographically speaking, I am in paradise, surrounded by mountains, amazingly coloured, shaped & sized trees, reservoirs (dams) which provide constantly changing reflections & patterns, wild flowers, a multiplicity of wild birds, a variety of local wildlife, plus the world famous Kruger Park just a few hours drive away. The UK has very many beautiful & outstanding nature spots, even in urban areas, but the one thing I appreciate greatly in South Africa is the high number of days with blue skies & sunshine! It's Autumn here, as I write & though cold in the evenings & mornings, we are experiencing very many days of wall to wall sunshine & deep blue skies above. It's a great mood booster.
The seasonal changes here are perhaps more subtle than some in the UK, though Spring bursts forth with blazes of Azaleas, Magnolias & plenty of blossom, but a unique & heaven sent extra for photographers is the "golden hour." The last hour of daylight here is so rich & almost "re dresses" the whole landscape! Sunsets are also greatly enhanced by the preceding shading & fading of this magical world. It is truly breathtaking on occasions & no dictionary of superlatives can come close to describing the intensity of these moments.
The natural world is a great balm & proven stress reliever for difficult times & retiring here has been one of my best life decisions so far.
Photographically speaking, I am in paradise, surrounded by mountains, amazingly coloured, shaped & sized trees, reservoirs (dams) which provide constantly changing reflections & patterns, wild flowers, a multiplicity of wild birds, a variety of local wildlife, plus the world famous Kruger Park just a few hours drive away. The UK has very many beautiful & outstanding nature spots, even in urban areas, but the one thing I appreciate greatly in South Africa is the high number of days with blue skies & sunshine! It's Autumn here, as I write & though cold in the evenings & mornings, we are experiencing very many days of wall to wall sunshine & deep blue skies above. It's a great mood booster.
The seasonal changes here are perhaps more subtle than some in the UK, though Spring bursts forth with blazes of Azaleas, Magnolias & plenty of blossom, but a unique & heaven sent extra for photographers is the "golden hour." The last hour of daylight here is so rich & almost "re dresses" the whole landscape! Sunsets are also greatly enhanced by the preceding shading & fading of this magical world. It is truly breathtaking on occasions & no dictionary of superlatives can come close to describing the intensity of these moments.
The natural world is a great balm & proven stress reliever for difficult times & retiring here has been one of my best life decisions so far.