Don't forget your pump!

I went cycling today - or at least I tried. The my trusty old mountain bike is a bit on the dirty side, and probably in need of a service. I haven't been riding in a few months, and I hoped a spot of "white lightning" would do the trick. And it did, sort of...

Around the first corner, could feel the tires skidding, and I looked down to see the months of standing has taken its toll, and I have two limp tires. A quick check revealed that for the first time in as long as I can remember, I forgot to take my pump. I usually take it off when I transport the bike, in case it falls off and gets lost, and I just didn't put it back. Luckily there's a petrol station down the road and the friendly pump assistant helped me to put the air back, and after that I realised just how much I enjoy the feeling of riding my bike.

The plan was to go to the promenade, but that means going through the city centre. Not really a problem at 5:30 am. As I turned a corner, I could feel the wheels skid once again and I had a slowmo fall - the kind that happens when you can't clip out your shoes in time. My audience was the CCID city guards (those guys do an awesome job) and I assured them that I was perfectly fine, I just got back on and cycled around the corner to do a stock take.

It seems my front wheel has gotten a slow puncture or something. I have a full repair kit in my onboard bum bag, even a spare tube, but alas, no pump! And there is no petrol station in that part of town. My options were limited to walking back to the same garage as earlier, or walking past it, home. I was about 3km away, not really what I would call an epic cycle, but far enough for a good walk. I would have preferred 2km, since I was walking barefoot.

The city is quite something in the early morning. I walked back through the Company's Gardens, and I got to see some squirrels, joggers, other cyclists and a homeless guy humping his bag, picking it up, and walking on. Never a dull moment!

Journey to nowhere

I wanted me time, and that is what I got. With a single phone call, I was requested to go to the middle of nowhere for a week to visit a project site for a solar farm we are building and provide some help. At first I said yes, because I had to, although I was reluctant to cancel all my plans. Then I started packing my suitcase and I got excited. When the week was over, I didn't want to leave.

I enjoyed working in the sun, its a long day, with hard work, but at the end of the day, there is satisfaction in knowing that today I worked on something concrete, and there is the results.

I enjoyed the silence and the sense of space. The sky stretching for miles around you, a lone cloud drifting in the endless sky. A quiver tree becomes a feature, a windmill a symbol of life, water, hope. The road stretching out into the distance, reminding me of the song by Karen Zoid:

"I heard there was a road out in the desert,
that goes on and on, for miles and miles.
...
There's only one station on the radio
and all they play is all rock and roll"
- Set of wheels (Karoo anthem)

Only the radio on my rental did not pick up a station, and I did not think of bringing a CD along. So I got a bit of me time. Time to enjoy the way the light falls on the landscape. Time to notice the dust devils on the dirt road. Time to hear the birds sing in a faraway corner of the construction plant where the work is finished and waiting for commissioning. Time to appreciate the spots of green where the earth is sprouting new life in what seemed like a barren landscape.

What a wonderful reminder that every now and then, it is good to leave behind the bustle of everyday life and take a journey to nowhere.

Murder and me time

I love people, really, and I draw energy from being around people. When I am alone for a while, I turn on the radio or the TV, to hear the voices of other people.

That said, there are times when you feel like you should make sure you have an ally who would hide an axe in your birthday cake when they visit you in prison, because you might just murder someone. You know, when you are so worn out to the point where every little thing gets on your nerves. Or is it just me?

Well, the trick is identifying these times, and taking some "me time" before you do something you might get arrested for.

So with this weekend ahead of me, I will do things that make me happy; exercise, lie on the beach, and plan a solo road trip to explore the fantastic place I live in, hopefully there will be nice weather to enjoy as well.

Edit (15 November 2013) I wrote about my solo road trip on my travel blog (in Afrikaans)

Its easy to be a morning person in summer

I am a morning person, always have been. Its a bit tricky when I stay over with friend who like to sleep late, but I have learned to find the kettle and coffee/tea on my own, find their bookshelf and get myself something to read.

The morning is when I get stuff done. I train like a regular gym bunny, or write a few hundred words of my novel, and on the odd occasion that I take work home, that is when I do it. What would take me 2 hours in the evening takes 1 in the morning. I was an odd student... hahaha. My internal clock switches off at 10 pm and I fall asleep. I can stay up on special occasions, but not often. I have even come to terms with the fact that some times I go to sleep earlier than my brother's toddler when I visit there.

The great thing about summer, is that the day starts earlier. I am no longer the only soul awake in what looks like the dead of night, but instead I am the only soul awake in the glorious summer morning! It is beautiful to walk to the gym in the crisp early morning, to admire the mountain, or to just have a cup of tea on the balcony and look at the squrirrels playing.

There is life in abundance all around, and I am part of it! I love every moment, every opportunity to celebrate life!

The Honesty of animals

This morning a cat came up to me and said hello. Apparently they do that, but I have never experienced it before until a few weeks back. It might even be the same cat. He came up to me, said hello and let me scratch his back. I've been told cats do that when they know you're happy, but I have no reference to that.

I never considered myself a cat person. Once, when I was a kid, we visited some people on the farm and I remember a very pleasant cat. Some of my friends had cats, but on the whole they were very aloof and the one time Twinkle came to sit on my lap, the entire family was surprised at her actions. She should have been named "Thunder" because she seemed to be in a bad mood all the time.

Dogs on the other hand I loved my entire life. With the exception of the one that bit me, I have had good relations with dogs my entire life, and admittedly spoiled my Charlie a bit. He is currently living with my parents and they assure me he has calmed down a bit.

But one thing I always loved about dogs, is how they seem to comfort you when you are down, and when you are feeling joyful, they basically radiate happiness in return!

There are a number of animals that make popular pets. I visited friends yesterday with a tank full of beautiful fish. Another friend has a rattlesnake called Penelope, and then there are people who keep birds, lizards and all sorts of things.

The best thing about animals, is that they love honesty, and unconditionally. All they ask is shelter and food, and lots and lots of love. By loving another being, we learn what love really is, and what is not to love about a pet?

On top of the World

My legs are numb, my right foot feels wonky, I am a little sunburnt (where I missed a spot with the sunscreen) and I had a 4 hour nap before bedtime and then went straight back to sleep an hour later.

Why?

Because yesterday I conquered Table Mountain. I wasn't the first, or the fastest, but it was a personal best for me!

I love the challenge and the knowledge that I accomplished something that I wouldn't be able to do a year ago. I love the idea that for a year I have been looking at the mountain from my office and now I can finally say: I did it!

I love the fact that after more than 4 hours, my knees protesting after climbing down about rock, I saw the breathtaking blue of the Atlantic between the buttresses. I love that there are perfect and uniquely interesting flowers and plants lining the path, and realising that the fynbos is unique to this area.

I love that I could celebrate the start of summer with something so amazing!