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Friday, April 7, 2017

Sunrise this week

It's a known fact that we  live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. As Grant and I rode through South Africa again last week, I marveled at the different landscapes - each one as beautiful as the last. We rode up the mountains behind us (not the Drakensberg which we face every day) and soon we were in the Golden Gate National Park (Free State). The interesting shapes of the sandstone mountains and the lush vegetation after the abundant summer rains, really tugged at my heart.

Nearing our old home town of Marquard, we drove along the regional roads bordered by fields of cosmos - a weed (now naturalized in South Africa) which was introduced via horse feed from Argentina during the Anglo-Boer War. Backing this are huge lands of golden sunflower heads - crops now being harvested in that part of the country. 

Our round trip bike tour, visiting family and friends,  took eight days and covered a distance of 2879km. I didn't have my Canon camera with me due to lack of luggage space. So do please click on these links above to see the first part of our travels as explained by Mr Wikipedia. 

We arrived home - back in the Berg - on Saturday 1 April and were greeted by an ecstatic Labrador, Skabenga. Eddy had taken to sleeping most of the time we were away and was also mightily pleased to see us when I popped my head into the place where the dogs' beds are. The cats, being cats, took an hour or two, forgave us for "abandoning" them and eventually came to rub against our legs.  

Next morning at dawn, Eddy, Skabenga and I were on the servitude walking as if I'd never been away. As we returned to the property the sun was rising. What a beautiful sight reminding us once more why we are so happily settled here in this part of our amazing country. 


I'm linking my post to Skywatch Friday here

HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU ALL! 





8 comments:

  1. Wow Jo. That is a very long distance to cover in a short time and on a bike no less! Glad you made it back safely and in one piece. You are certainly right about the beauty of your country. The sunrises and sunsets are amazing. Your sunrises today are magnificent and ablaze with colour. Have a lovely weekend. xx

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  2. These photos are gorgeous, Jo!

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  3. Hello, Jo! These are beautiful and colorful sky captures. What a lovely start to your day! Gorgeous sunrise.
    Hello, looks like a peaceful place. A gorgeous view of the water and sky, great capture. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  4. such a warm sunrise! thanks for sharing. have a lovely sky week!

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  5. Beautiful photos! I enjoyed your description of your bike trip, it sounds like you had the time of your life! I had to laugh at the descriptions of your cats' welcome home -- our cat does the same thing. It's important to her to first express her resentment before admitting that she's happy to see us ;) Hope you have a splendid weekend!

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  6. firey sunrise, 2 dogs and a camera, nothing could make me happier. I did look at both links and I can only imagine how stunning your views were as your road. forgot to ask if Grants breathing did ok leaving your mountains. glad you are home

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  7. You do live in a most beautiful country and your descriptions of the Free State tug my heartstrings as well. Loved the roads lined with cosmos and forever fields of sunflowers. Welcome home.

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