On a whim we recently decided to join friends vacationing on the coast for one night. A whimsical idea still involves plenty of planning when you have a homestead and daily responsibilities of animals, gardens and a volatile autistic son. Despite living inland, in the semi-desert Karoo of South Africa's beautiful Cape province our ocean is a mere 3 hours drive away.
The drive alone is a refreshing escape as it meanders through the far more lush farmlands than here in our drought stricken area. It's hard to believe that fires ravaged the area a year ago. These fires are part of the South African governments plan to drive out (or murder) the white farmers. Arsonists are sent in to certain Cape areas every few months. The fires cover huge areas quickly destroying homes, businesses and sometimes tragically lives - both farmer and livestock.
When we drove this route about a month following the fire it was a black wasteland. Incredible to experience the vitality of life. The coast has received a fair amount of rain. Once more the fields are green and spotted with fat sheep.
The first part of the journey meanders down a pass and then a valley where friends live. This stretch is black. The smell of smoke still permeates everything. Last month fires ripped through this farming community. We have friends who were evacuated. The fire ripped through so quickly that they were forced to leave horses, cattle and chickens behind. Miraculously the fires were finally stopped at their borders.
Farm life is challenging enough without this fear for your life, your family and your home. I love this drive to the coast but these days it is a kaleidoscope of contradiction. I was privileged to capture a fleeting glimpse of a rooikat (a big cat like predator). Flitting across the farm road en route to the sheep this big cat survives on lamb. You can just make him out at the top of the above photo. They are a magnificent predator but the bane of a shepherd's life. Although I'm sure most of us would rather deal with the rooikat than the two legged predators that run the country.
I love how you can travel a short distance, in your own home, and experience such diversity. Diversity of terrain, temperature and trials. I love seeing how life survives despite all the challenges. I loved arriving at the ocean and breathing in the salty air, hearing the gentle lapping waves and feeling the wet sand between my toes. Life is wonderful. Life continues despite death. Life is worth fighting for. Seize every moment and savour the life you are blessed to live!