Quietly and sleepily sipping my first cup of Earl Grey tea early this morning, I slowly and absorbingly read the pages of a beautiful hardback book given to me by my mother and stepfather a few years ago. I think it was a Christmas present - there will be a note inside to tell me, … Continue reading Sunday Morning Mindfulness
South Africa
A Poem To A Young Man Entering The Army
A Poem To A Young Man Entering The Army In South Africa Brother, for years we were told, But never really believed, That one day you, too, would have to join The long, frightened queue Of young men, new recruits of the Defence Force. The Organisation, so powerfully strong, Snatching, from our arms, … Continue reading A Poem To A Young Man Entering The Army
The Gift Of A Mandela Book
As I glanced up to the top shelf, a book almost spoke to me to lift it down and open it ... this book ... "Mandela. My Prisoner, My Friend". I obeyed.
Ek Wil Huis Toe Gaan – An Ode to South Africa – With Translation
In my previous blogpost, I explained the writing of this poem, which seemed to write itself one chilly evening in Britain, during October 2013. I have now cobbled together a translation, which appears below the original here, for those who do not speak Afrikaans nor know the South African lingo ... Ek Wil Huis Toe Gaan Ek … Continue reading Ek Wil Huis Toe Gaan – An Ode to South Africa – With Translation
An Ode to South Africa
The Author amongst plants on a family journey between Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Cape, stopping somewhere en route, possibly Namaqualand ... A child adoring the exquisite floral beauty, simply growing wild and free all around her. Circa 1973. Written in moments, straight onto my Facebook page one homesick evening ... The 'poem' below wrote itself, it took no time … Continue reading An Ode to South Africa
Ifafa and the Violinist
Update, Tuesday 2 January 2018
Looking back through some of my blog posts, I reread this diary note and felt that it was time to reveal who the 'mystery' violinist is, whom I met with his delightful wife when he was performing at a recital at Monteviot House, near to where we currently live.
The Holly Tree Tales 