Weighing in

Overweight - story of my life!

I am getting ready for yet another great adventure. It will probably take me away from home for a couple of months, which means I'll be changing seasons during my trip. This always complicated packing. Add to this the fact that I am going to a very remote location where it is essential that you be able to entertain yourself if you do not want to drive yourself insane, you can add a couple more kilograms to the luggage for art materials. With these factors to keep in mind, I bought an extra luggage add-on to my Kulula ticket which allows me double the weight. And I thought it would be enough.

A nifty device to weigh luggage with

I chose my clothing ensemble very carefully. I want to be prepared for any kind of event. I would really hate to have to decline an invite simply because I did not pack the right shoes! Still, when I was done, my clothing bag was bulging. Years ago, when I first went overseas, I bought a handy little luggage scale that you can easily throw into a bag and take along with you. I have been using this ever since for weighing my luggage when weight matters. I carefully set the scale to zero and weighed the bag. 31 kilograms! I was astounded. The permitted weight on the plain is 25 kg. Actually it is 20 kg booked-in luggage and 7 kg hand luggage. I was already exceeding the limit and I hadn't even gotten to the heavy stuff yet, which is the vanity case, technology case (hand luggage) and the art stuff! I knew I was in trouble.

When the luggage is weighed, both needles move down the scale, but only the red returns to zero. The black marks the weight, so you can easily check once the weight is removed from the scale. Afterwards, simply turn the black back to zero.

I decided not to get overly anxious by unpacking just yet. I would first pack the rest of the gear and then I would decide what to do about the weight issues. Doesn't weight always seem to be an issue in life? Whether it's attached to our bodies, or whether we carry it with us, we always seem to be dealing with weight issues!  Anyways, I now turned to the vanity, and knowing that I'd have to be careful, I removed all unnecessary packaging, both to reduce weight as well as space. Still, when I finally weighed the vanity case, it weighed 15 kg. Now I was really in trouble.

Wanna guess where I'm headed?

With the combined weight of the two cases at 46 kilogram, I as already over the allowed limit for booked in luggage. I would have to take drastic action. Then my brain got into first gear. I looked at the two bags and frowned. I was not a novice traveler. I had done this kind of thing before. There was simply no way those two measly bags could weigh as much as all that! Was the scale giving me an incorrect reading? I picked up the scale to examine it more carefully... and felt very stupid.

It is a place with spectacular sunsets

The scale had both pound and kilogram measurements, and I had been reading the pounds for kilograms. In actual fact the luggage weighed less than 22 kilograms altogether. I breathed a very thankful sigh of relief. I would still be able to pack the things that make life fun. After all, the whole idea behind this trip is to find a quiet place to write a book I have been planning for a while, as well as to paint. And if there is time left, perhaps I could still find time to illustrate my second children's book as well! But that might be pushing it a bit.

It is a fishing and mining community

Anyway, I am happy to report that the final combined weight of my luggage is now permissible and I should be allowed onto the plane. That said, you can certainly look forward to a couple of blogs in which I tell and show you more of my travel adventures. I mean, I won't allow myself to be trapped behind paint brushes and computers all day! I will make a point of taking long hikes of exploration, taking thousands of photographs and grabbing any other opportunity that comes my way. That's the way we roll!

If you guessed Hondeklipbaai, you would be correct!

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - iekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Wanderlust

For today's blog I simply wish to share a poem with you, my fellow travelers. It is one I wrote and I believe it will resonate in your own hearts as well. I call it Wanderlust.

I wonder what it would be like
to take a long cross-country hike,
or to walk upon a foreign shore
where I had never been before.

I wish to climb a mountain high,
so high that I could reach the sky,
or sail a ship across the sea
with nothing but the wind and me.

I’d love to taste strange food delights
and stand on wondrously tall heights,
to feel a bike roar under me -
there is so much to do and see.

I think it’s time to leave this chair
to travel there and everywhere,
to kick the mundane back in place
and live my life from a suitcase.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - iekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Giving back on the banks of the Vaal

We always tend to think that beautiful spots to visit are far from home and that we would need to travel great distances to get there. Of course, this is not always true, and last year I was privileged to discover one such gem close to home, on the banks of the Vaal River. But, I found more than just a great location. I discovered people who care deeply for their community and I became part of a drive towards restoring people to places of happiness and tranquility, not unlike the location I wish to tell you about.

It all came about when a longtime friend of mine, Melette Els, contacted me to ask if I would like to be part of a fundraising drive that she spearheaded. As always, I readily agreed. Melette established this fund a couple of years ago already after becoming aware of a need in the community that was not being addressed yet. Melette is occupied as a pastoral therapist and social worker. As a result of her work, she often came into contact with people who were in dire need of therapy, but unable to afford it. Imagine a woman in an abusive relationship asking her husband for money for therapy so she can learn to stand up to him, or to leave him! Or perhaps you have the breadwinner in the house losing his/her job. Depression sets in and they even become suicidal. Yet, this is not a time where they can afford the so-called 'luxury' of therapy, despite the need for it being so dire.

The fund has helped numerous people since it was established. There is the story of a child who was orphaned and ended up in an abusive home, the family whose father died in a car crash and was left without an income and completely devastated, the mother whose son died of cancer, but who could not afford counseling due to large medical bills. The stories are numerous and the need great and varied. I was thrilled to be a part of a fundraising drive for such a great cause. By the way, the contact details for Melette, as well as details for the fund, can be found at the end of this blog. Please feel free to contribute if you are in a position to do so.

The fund raising event was to be held on the banks of the Vaal River at a place called Heavenly Events, just outside Vanderbijlpark. The venue is gorgeous, the people friendly, and the food excellent. But what makes this a spectacular venue, is no doubt the gently flowing river just outside the large open windows. I had been there in winter, which is never the prettiest time of the year, but I could not help being impressed by the spectacular beauty and serenity of the place. I would love to return there in Summer when everything is green and lush. Perhaps I'll book myself into one of the B&B's rooms and make a weekend of it!

I am going to leave it at that and allow the photos to speak for themselves, but do allow me to mention a couple of service providers who really impressed during this function: In no particular order, I would like to thank Waldo from Olga's for the decor. They delivered far and above what they quoted for and what the event budgeted for, and really went out of their way to make this a very special evening for everyone involved. You can contact them at 011 467 7870.

The tables and hall looked absolutely spectacular as a result of the efforts of the decor team.

Flordis also deserves a special mention. This company truly carry the health of our people at heart, not only physically and mentally, but also emotionally. Every year that this event is hosted, Flordis has come through with sponsorships, prizes and support. What a wonderful group of people! You can not help loving these friendly and supportive ladies. You can contact them at 044 874 2927 or email juanita@flordis.co.za.

This beautiful team of volunteers ran around all night, handing out prizes and delivering auction items. In the photo we have the Bush Babies with Melette Els.

Christo Bezuidenhout from ABS Productions volunteered to do the sound and music, donating his time and skills in the interest of the fund. Christo can be contacted for recordings, backtracks and public performances at 082 327 6575 or email musiek@ngweltevreden.co.za.

Johan Badenhorst from Voetspore was the guest speaker for the evening. Here he is with Melette Els, hostess of the event, and Quinny, Meltte's trusted guide dog.

I am proud to say that Miekie from A Pretty Talent was also present with some donations.

If you would like to assist the We Care Fund with very welcome donations, you can contact Melette Els at 082 776 1536 or email her at melette.els@gmail.com. You can make direct contributions to the fund into this account:

We Care ClubABSAAcc No: 929 954 878 5Branch: 632005

Melette Els (Clinical Social Work) can be contacted via the webpage www.m-e.co.za, or by email at melette.els@gmail.com, or by phone at 082 776 1536.
Melette Els B.A. (SocSc) M. (Th)
BHF Pr Nr.: 089 000 00 28754 SACSSP Reg.Nr.: 10-17310

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - iekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

New Year and hunting for new friends

A couple of years ago a friend and I booked ourselves into Mokala National Park for a week of slow-moving relaxation where we could simply cruise the park and enjoy what nature had to offer. This week happened to fall over New Year's. Ilze had some friends in the vicinity and when they heard that where we were, we were promptly invited to come spend New Year's Eve with them. So it came that on the last day of the year, I set off with Ilze to forge a new friendship. Our destination? A hunting lodge in the greater Kimberley area, near Jan Kempdorp.

Becoming a fisherman's friend

When we set off, Ilze had told me that we would be enjoying a girly day at Louise's spa. I had no objections. However, things turned out quite differently than expected as I learned as soon as we arrived at the lodge. After introductions were made, Johan, Louise's husband, told us that everything was packed and ready to go for a day of fishing at the nearby dam. Now let me first introduce you to Johan, so you can understand what this meant. Johan, who had sadly passed away since, was an outfitter who accompanied overseas hunters on hunting and fishing excursions across Southern Africa. In the off seasons, he caught game. So, being packed and ready for a day of fishing meant that everything had been taken care of and we were in good hands for the day. Of course, having only just been introduced to Johan and Louise I had no way of knowing this and I was highly skeptical. I had visions of previous fishing excursions with less organized, or rather, more ill-equipped fishermen. I would simply have to bite the bullet and make the most of it.

Ready for action!

My fears were unfounded. When Johan said that everything had been taken care of, he truly meant it. I am not into fishing, but do not mind spending the day next to the water. Any water. I love being near water. So, while everyone else was setting up and getting their lines in the water, I was happily exploring the area with my camera in tow. I am a very happy chappy when I am outside snapping pictures and I had a great time next to the dam.

Majestic beauty

Towards the afternoon Johan called us over to get in the boat he had brought along. For the next hour or so we cruised the vast dam from side to side and it was a sheer thrill to feel the wind in my hair. What made it even more spectacular were the fish. They seemed to enjoy the presence of the speeding boat and raced alongside or jumped over the tumultuous waters in its wake. I could not help laughing out loud at their antics. I felt wholly and completely blessed to have such an unexpected treat bestowed on me without even planning it.

Off the beaten track

Back at the lodge, everyone was very busy putting the tackle away and getting things ready for the New Year's braai that evening. A couple of farmers from the vicinity would be joining us and it would prove to be a fun evening. In the meantime, as I was 'the guest', I was not put to work and were left to roam the grounds freely. I once again set off to do just that... with my camera around my neck.

Coming prepared to fish!

This was when I came upon the lodge's dining room. It was a huge area and it was filled with stuffed hunting trophies. Now, this is not something I am into at all, but after recovering from my initial shock, the artist in me recognized the value of this find. Here I was presented with the rare opportunity of photographing each of the wide variety of animals from every possible angle my heart could desire. I would have a literal treasure trove of reference material to sketch and paint from in future. To say that I made good use of the opportunity could be considered the understatement of the year! I snapped away unhindered as everyone hustled and bustled around me.

A creature I would have preferred not to cross paths with - a Red Roman Ant!

At some stage during the day, I remember that us three women, Louis, Ilze and myself, took a trip in one of the 4x4's across the farm. It was a good thing we took this vehicle too, as the terrain was quite rough in some places and we certainly did not stick to the roads. This was a hunting and breeding farm. Animals were kept to be sold off, or hunted by trophy hunters. As for, who had no interest in either of these activities, it was a sheer delight to be able to watch the animals grazing freely in their natural habitat. The added bonus to being allowed on a farm like this, is that you stand a good chance of encountering some of the more rare species. What a privilege!

The spa at the lodge

Later that evening, as things had settled down a bit and people were relaxing with drinks in hand, I asked about the philosophy of hunting and the future of the hunting industry against the backdrop of a conservation-minded generation. This was when I learned that your big game hunters are some of the most avid wildlife conservationists around. There are only very limited areas left for wild animals to roam freely, if you take all game farms and reserves into consideration. It is absolutely essential to the survival of these animals that their numbers should be controlled. As size matters in the hunting industry, breeding programmes have been introduced to ensure that the strongest of the species survive, with breeding regulated to guard against in-breeding and other pitfalls. Also, the money generated from overseas hunters, who spend small fortunes on these hunting trips, allow job creation and security to a myriad of people across a vast range of related occupations. It was a true eye opener to sit down and listen to someone talk with so much passion about the plight of wildlife conservation, especially with this man being a professional hunter. I was reminded once again that too often in life we make judgments about things and people without bothering to gather the facts first.

Hand-rearing an orphaned Duiker lamb

We spent the night at the lodge and returned to our vacation in Mokala the next day, but this unplanned and unexpected visit was an enriching one that brought me much needed new insight. Also, it was the start of what would turn out to be a truly great friendship with Louise.

And this is me, doing what I do best - discovering new ideas, people and places!

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

A weekend in the Green Kalahari: between Augrabies and Blouputs

A couple of years ago, a friend called me up to find out if I wanted to take a road trip down to Augrabies with her for the weekend. Who me! Of course yes! It turned out that she had an interview for work there on the Saturday morning and had decided to make a weekend of it. I was very happy to serve as traveling companion on this trip. We booked ourselves into an hotel in Augrabies for two nights and set off on the Friday afternoon.

The quiver trees at the hotel

Our route was as follows: Potchefstroom - Klerksdorp - Vryburg - Kuruman - Khatu - Olifantshoek - Upington - Kanoneiland - Kakamas - Augrabies. Somehow, when you say these names out loud in succession, it sounds like poetry, doesn't it?

The fertile land on the banks of the Orange River

The interview was on one of the large farms in the area and they readily agreed to make a guide available to us for the afternoon. This guide took the form of the wife of one of the farm managers. She took her time to take us around the farm, and we spent the afternoon learning lots about farming in the arid land surrounding Augrabies, especially in the Blouputs area. All of the farmland in the areas lay on the banks of the Orange River and had to be watered with water from this river. The result is some of the most spectacular fruit that this country has to offer. Most of the table grapes consumed in South Africa comes from here and there as also citrus orchards in the area. Aside from these, the area is also responsible for a large production of dates and olives. This inevitably means that there are more than one harvesting season during the year and it makes for very intensive farming.

The arid land a short ways off from the river

The larger farm has been subdivided into smaller farms and each of these has a farmer appointed to take care of his or her piece of land. They, in turn, report to a farm manager (such as the one our guide was married to), who in turn reported to the owners. There were also incentives for the farm workers to become co-owners through means of shares and land set aside specifically for this purpose.

The lush vineyards where a lot of South Africa's table grapes are produced

It was obvious that had it not been for the farms, the area would not be economically viable. The farms are the main source of employment and the other businesses owe their existence to the fact that people earn money they spend in town, on the farms.

Blouputs, a place I only know exists because my friend had an interview here

Another aspect of the social arrangements in the area, concerned schools. The farmers had collectively come together to build small schools for the local children. As the area is so vast and the inhabitants spread out over so large an area, it does not make sense to travel the vast distances to the government schools in town. Farm schools were then built and teachers employed by the farmers to ensure that the children from the farming community would have equal opportunities for education. That said, the option of school hostels also exist with the government schools.

The Augrabies waterfall after a dry season 

The Augrabies waterfall after a dry season 

Aside from our guide, who hails from Namibia originally, we also fell into a lengthy conversation with a 'daughter of the town' who was born and bred in Kakamas.  Where our guide had very little positive to say about the services in the area, this woman assured us that basically every human need could be met in the immediate vicinity. Our guide would have us driving all the way to Upington for medical emergencies, and grocery shopping. This lady on the other hand, assured us that the doctors, the vets, the optometrists, the grocers and every other amenity was up to standard and would more than meet our needs. I guess one would have to live there to find out that both versions held truths as well as exaggerations.

The scenes that make road trips worth taking

My friend, who was considering moving to the area, was very concerned about snakes. Having grown up in the city, she had never come across a snake in the field before, a fact that had me amazed. Again, our guide had tales of terror with which to regale us. She's had to come to the rescue of her own dear dogs on more than one occasion and pulled some of them through by their teeth. It was frightening to hear and we parted ways with her with my friend convinced that she would not be able to set foot outside her house without crossing paths with a snake. I grew up on a farm and knew a little better, but was dismissed as I did not know the area. I then opted to ask our waitress back at the restaurant in the hotel. It turned out that she too had been born and bred in the area. She also did not own a vehicle and went on foot most of the time. When asked how often she had come across a snake, she said she had never, but knew of people who had and therefore it would be fair to say that there were snakes in the area. Enough said.

Familiar Karoo beacons

The weekend wasn't all work and no play. We also went to the Augrabies waterfall and stood in awe and amazement at the grandeur and beauty, even though it had been a very dry season with very little rainfall to feed the falls.

Traveling Karoo style

What continues to impress me most in these dry areas, are the quiver trees (kokerbome), and I spent the Saturday morning sketching a very pretty specimen right there in the garden of the hotel. But it is not only the quiver trees that sings the beauty of the land. Every grain of sand, every struggling succulent and every rock testifies to life that persists even in the harshest of climates. And that is before I even get to the silence that threatens to envelop you. A truly majestic and beautiful spot on earth that everyone must make a point of visiting at some stage.

Quiver Tree by Miekie

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

It's a bug's life! - the Botswana underbelly

I guess it is safe to say that I have always been fascinated by bugs and insects. Not to the same degree as some are, I am sure. I haven't bothered with identifying them, or joining entomology clubs, or going on bug-hunting outings and trips, though I know quite a few people who do just that. No, my interest is more cursory. I am fascinated by the vast scope of insects that exist. I love their colours, textures, the way the move, their shapes, sizes, etc. For this reason you would often find me surrounded by nieces, nephews and other children, with our noses close to the ground, in the garden, searching out interesting life forms. It was precisely this activity that inspired my first children's book, Tuinstories. Deciding to do the illustrations for the book myself, finally gave sense to all those hours studying the critters of the garden.

Whenever I travel in places that have long stretches of dirt roads, open fields and few people, I make use of every possible opportunity to take long hikes. My camera would inevitably travel along and I will happily snap every single thing I come across, including bugs. For today's blog, I do not have much to say, but I wanted to share some of these pictures with you, for I found Botswana's insect life fascinating. Not only did the insects, in general, appear larger than what I was used to at home, but they also seemed more colourful. Aside from the butterflies which, though there were plenty of them, appeared much more muted and smaller than at home.

I was especially fascinated by the dung beetles and took a few videos as well.

The grasshoppers appeared to be the biggest and brightest of the insects.

When deciding to illustrate my book, I was left with a number of line drawings and captured these in a coloring book which is also available on the market, titled Kom Kleur Tuinstories In.

It was just as important to me to give my young readers the chance to learn to draw and paint the characters in the book themselves. With this in mind, I developed an activity book to accompany the storybook, called Kom Ons Teken En Verf Tuinstories.

Having seen all of the pretty grasshoppers, I was rather saddened that one of the characters in the book wasn't a grasshopper. The cricket came close though.

A very funny encounter with a Red Roman Spider occurred to me one night in Botswana. I recounted the tale of this meeting in a previous blog, titles The Roman Invasion. Click on the link if you wish to have a good laugh.

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.