Back from SA

Arrived back on Tuesday morning and went straight to work, which was a bit of a shock to the system and exhausting but it was okay.

Being home was wonderfully strengthening and renewing. I was so happy to be with my family again, strangely i expected that after so long they would all seem unfamiliar, but it was not at all so, it was like we had never been apart. I find this very comforting, still to belong and feel comfortable with these people that are most dear to me.

Arrival and Sycamore Trails
We arrived on Sunday 25 March. Fran, Mike and Tim fetched us from the airport. Mom, Dad and Alistair arrived shortly after us and we had lunch together. Friends came to visit later and stayed at Fran and Mike's for the night. Next morning we prepared everything for the family holiday, unfortunately Mike had to stay to move into new office. We got to Bronkhorstspruit at about midday and started packing the trailer etc. We arrived at Sycamore trails at about 6, just as it was getting dark. Dad joined us the next morning and took us up the mountain in the landrover. It was an exciting drive, dipping through small ravines through forest. Alistair, Fran and Francesco and i walked up to the waterfalls, Spog the great dane in tow. There were beautiful spiders, plants, flowers, butterflies, trees. By the time we got back to the Chalets, we were hot tired, thirsty and a little burnt. We had a braai for dinner and spent the evening around a camp fire talking. it was lovely. The insects around us buzzing and screeching, the stars twinkling.

20 days since last post

So much for every day. Heading home for a visit after a year and a half, on Saturday, i am excited, happy and a little nervous. I can't wait to see everyone and breathe the open air and get out of this frosty, windy place. Bags are packed, but still have to check everything. I'm trying to get things tied up before we leave so i feel a bit tired. i feel that there are big changes ahead. not sure what to expect. Whatever you expect, you'll never know for sure. so for all the times i miss everyone at home, i am going to try and relax and enjoy just being with you all.

tree hill

Every time we went into Rome from Monterotondo, we passed this hill, that seems to be a perfect cylinder with a clump of trees on it. It really had such magical appeal to me.

This porcelain shrine was quite a surprise to me. It is one of the Vatican's treasures. The height is about 2m and it is possibly one of the most magnificently kitch things i have ever seen. So much so that i really like it.
I found the ancient sculptures really beautiful and took lots of photos of them for future reference. They especially because i have been looking at Rodin's work too, and really dying to make something 3d. Well... do it some wise people have told me... will keep you posted if anything materialises.
I have been working on my painting every day and will post progress soon.
take care!

snow mountains trees

I am back and it has taken me all this time, hampered by (procrastination) technical difficulties, like log-ins and internet not working to PC crashing to get myself into gear to write something again. I am back in London (since Wednesday) and that has been an adjustment. I really did not want to leave Rome and the warm family vibes to come back here...well its okay, that's what holidays are for... to give you a break from everyday.

I wanted to trace though the time in a diary like way (begining to end?), linking in with photos, but i don't actually have the earlier ones with me, they are on Fra's computer and he'll only be back Friday. So working with what I've got on my camera, which is more recent here goes... At least this means i still have lots of material for DAILY additions from now on.


Before leaving Monterotondo for Terminillo where we spent a day between Christmas and new year, we walked through Monterotondo Vecchio, the old part of the town. There are all sorts of winding little roads and picturesque alley ways. Francesco was showing me all the old haunts.


We went up to Terminillo which is north of Monterotondo, and north of Rieti - said to be the heart of Italy- see map...


The trip took about an hour and a half, we did not rush too much. I enjoyed seeing this other countryside, that is hilly and covered with olive groves and then forests. Familiar and new at the same time. We left in time to catch the last bit of light as we arrived in Terminillo.



My first contact with 'real' snow, love the way it crunches underfoot. The light was so beautiful over the valley. We were on a short circular route that contours a small peak. Which is also home to the abandoned mountain house of Mussolini (will include image at later stage).


The area (pian de rosce) is named after the rich rusty coloured leaves during autumn and early winter. Next day, walks around the area, there was less snow than is usual for this time of year, but that seems to be the case all over Europe this winter. In the 70's and 80's this was a popular skiing area, but its quite now and there are a number of abandoned hotels. I suppose it could be a bit spooky if you let your imagination go. The quite was welcome after the crowds and sight-seeing around Rome. Walking in nature and clean air was restoring and one of the best parts of the whole time away.

visiting family and friends

Its been a lovely day of meeting friends and family. We collected Francesco's mother from the hospital where she had stayed overnight with one of his aunts who had an operation the day before. Getting back to Monterotondo took about 20 min, yesterday the same stretch of road from the hospital had taken over two hours to pass because of bad traffic... can you imagine!!!
Then we went to a supermarket to buy Pandoro and wine for gifts, and then to two of his really good friends. The last stop was his Nonna's house. She showed us all he family photos and a stack of postcards from all over Italy. Back to his home, ate some dinner with his mom...and that's it, a lovely day. I really want to learn Italian now, it would be lovely to be able to understand what everone is saying. I pick up the subject of the conversation but that's about it. Well, it will take some time! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I'm looking forward to learning all about how its done here! Love to my dear family!

lights and ancient buildings

It was really good to be out of foggy london, since monday, west london has be coverd in dense fog. Arrived yesterday and went around the city today. It was really beautiful seeing all the lights and the old cobbled streets which wind and criss-cross in every direction. It was truely breathe-taking and awesome seeing the ancient buildings like the colosium and the ruins and all the fountains and churches. I want to write more in detail but i am exhausted, enjoy the photos!

lodz

I was in Poland in July this year and I promised to send off some pics to Nicole so here are a few.

third post - a bitty start

the key to this thing is to keep adding to it and not leave it hanging. Its a bit like morning pages. I want to try to add something every day. And write something every day. even if it is rubbish. This photo was taken in Wales, its from the top of the Sugar loaf in the Brecon Beacons. I was lucky to choose a sunny day for my walk and spent the whole day on my own, walking. Beautiful quite time.

So today was Saturday and I got together the last few things to send home for Christmas. Some days are not meant for shopping, but its off now and i am pleased with everything. I really wish i could minimise myself into that package!

I bought a big board last week, for a drawing easel and eventually Francesco and i managed to fetch it from the hardware store. Last night and i started on a large drawing that i have been wanting to do for ages. I am really excited about it and have been working on it for the better part of this evening too. I will include an photo of my progress in tomorrow's post.

a start

Over the past 18 months or more i have made less objects and have less material evidence of the time that i have spent than at any other time. this is probably why i have been feeling depressed or perhaps it is the other way round. either way i would like to try something like this to get me going. I'm fighting winter in the northern hemisphere after (un)appreciatively basking in African sun all my life. Anyway, sometimes when i am feeling down and sometimes when i need inspiration i surf the net and sometimes it seems to find me(this is not always the case...sometimes it has the opposite affect). - but when it does which i have discovered is generally related to what i want to see i.e if i want to be find something cool it is there. plus there are the old favourites to return. well, a start. I'll start with some images...because they make me happy and leave it at that for today.