Pennings

I am all about adventure, some are on my bike, some are in my truck, and sometimes powered by me! These are the physical ways and the most commonly thought of ways to go on an adventure, right?

Well, I have jumped "back on the road" of an adventure I started many years ago, and all this adventure requires is a laptop, or a writing instrument and some paper. Yes, I have started writing again, or as I call it " Penning"

It has lain dormant for the last couple of years, all my notes and attempts growing " techno mould" from being stored in my computer for so long...It took one very simple act to reignite this joy of mine, an act of inspiration. My girlfriend has a blog, a good one at that, and through reading hers I found that I wanted to write again. B encouraged me to have a go at it, and i'm incredibly thankful for that.

So far, this adventure has taken me down the path of novel writing ( or an attempt thereof ), but mostly through one of my best forms of expression...Poetry. I realise this may come as shock to you other "manly okes"...its like I said a vloek word. There is nothing quite like going on an adventure of your mind, to see what beauty is contained within.

I have moments where I am overcome with the desire to write, and poetry is the flavour of the moment, so I surrender myself and allow the words to flow out...the beauty is, it makes me feel good! As good as standing looking over the Lesotho foothills aboard my bike, or seeing the ocean crashing.

I am on a journey, an adventure to discover what lies on the other side of my grey matter...it looks like this adventure knows no passport controls, nor limited views...the sky, and beyond is my goal, this has no limits!

Challenge yourself everyday to try or do something new...what have you got to lose.

G.

PS - apologies for the extended metaphor about the physical adventuring, had to get the "okes" to understand *chuckle*

Sunshine & Rain

We all have access to transport, whether our own car, or a bus, taxi...or roach coach !

So why don't we explore our surroundings more? Bizarre to me, maybe this will inspire you to do so sometime! Get a map of your province, draw a circle roughly 100km's in radius ( a straight line extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or surface ) from your home location. Right, done?

That my friends, is a mere 1 hour drive from your warm bed...half a movie, or an average womans getting ready time :)

I did that this weekend, and ventured from the tree lines streets of Pinetown, and headed first East, to the big drink...and stumbled upon an iconic landmark, the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Looking south towards Durban City

1 word..."GO". What an incredible place, it really has a lovely energy about it. Go up the "Skycar", take a stadium tour, or just sit on the grass verge outside and marvel at what this country of ours has to offer.

We then decided to head inland, westerly towards Nottingham road in the Midlands. We were blessed with a chilly day, smatterings of rain, and clear air...aah the simple things!

Midlands Views abound

After a gentle drive on the "B" road from Midmar dam to Nottingham Road, taking in the variety of B&B's, restaurants and knicky knack shops, we embarked on a brief session of running around, in the beautiful rain to find accommodation...where we finally found a place to rest our heads.

The Nottingham Road hotel,  had 1 room left....perfect! Established in 1854, it has old world charm, with modern day comforts, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The breakfast was bloody fabulous too, with B & I flattening the stack of flapjacks...nom nom nom!

Deciding to leave early, we wandered down the windy back roads to stop at some rather important landmarks...the spot where Nelson Mandela was caught, and more importantly for my sweet toothed girlfriend, Florentines Belgium Chocolate shop! If you battle to make a decision as to what socks to wear, don't even bother venturing into this shop...you will be there for days!

Sweet tooth heaven!

Needless to say, we left with a couple of bags of dark, nutty chocolates...mmmmm.

Next stop, was a brief diversion to look at the Howick waterfall, something one would not expect is such a nondescript little "highway" town! It is truly a lovely sight to see water plummeting nearly a hundred metres down into a valley carved out by millions of years of land movement.

Howick Falls

Where to next?

Yes, all of this is within 1 hours drive of my house...and we had a great time, filled with great sights, amazing pictures and most of all, happy times!

So get out there....take a drive, you'll be amazed!

Cane Fields to Vineyards...and back.

10 days, and it's all over....no more roar of the motor, no more rush of the wind, no more stimulation of the senses! Well, until the next one that is!

Once I have gotten all the zillions of photo's collated, I will put them up so you can see what i'm on about.

Malgas Pont

In the meantime, I'm going to give you a quick taste of what's to come :

Day 1 : 422km's, feeling fresh, riding with the sun to our backs, Transkei "colour".
Day 2 : 425km's, Scenery, locals and ridiculous stuffed parrots - Arrrrr!
Day 3 : 381km's, Wind of "Epic" proportions, emotions of days gone by, family moments
Day 4 : 468km's, Exclusive spots, Vertigo, Oysters, old farm style hospitality, family moments
Day 5 : 262km's, Amazing rock formations, small town fever, mad Harley riders, inner reflections
Day 6 : 406km's, A sex shop!, dirt wheels, milestones & crazy times
Day 7 : 353km's, Chilly rain, royal wedding madness, passes of amazing beauty, tantrums
Day 8 : 172km's, "smoked" tyres, touristy ride, Southern most point, friends & family time
Day 9 : 1098km's, Girls leave us,Long straight roads, fuel stops, flatlands of klein Karoo
Day 10 : 678km;s, Saying goodbye, sunflower fields, GS style "Stop-Go's", Traffic, normal life resumes

These are just a few of the amazing times, sights, smells and experiences I was privileged to have...and will keep in my mind and heart for years to come!

I look forward to telling you my story over the next couple of weeks, they will be in and amognst my other ramblings so keep an eye out.

And remember....keep Rocking!