Llandadno at sunset

Nothing beats the sunset at Llandadno, watching the sun set over the surfers.  It's well worth the temporary pain of trying to find a parking spot!  The highlight of the evening for me was getting to leap with Sam.  What a great leaper she is!

 

Two Ocean's Fun Run

I had every intention of keeping up with my little nephew on this 5 km fun run but after 5 minutes I realised that was going to be impossible!  So I took it easy and enjoyed walking and chatting with Jo, punctuated by some occasional running.  We didn't break any speed records, but thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.  And we had enough energy to sprint the last 100 metres to the finish in front of all the crowds!!

The joys of having a pesky nephew

Here we are a fun party in Elgin.  Matt did his very best to ensure I didn't overheat in the sun!

Party at an apple farm in Elgin

We went to the birthday party of Kaitlin, Richard and Kerry's daughter. It was held on their parent's apple farm. What an absolutely gorgeous setting!  The kids (and adults) had a wonderful time cycling and frolicking in the pool, enjoying the gorgeous weather. Lots of great food too.  All in all, a wonderful day.

Thanks, Jo, for most of the great photos below.

  

Clifton sundowners

This is Cape Town at its very best. Not even Sydney can compete with Clifton at sunset.  It was lovely to chill out on the beach and see Mary-Anne again.  We had the most gorgeous swim in the bracing water.

Jedi Knights

Having fun playing Jedi Lknights with Brandon's gorgeous little daughter on our weekend at the Breede River.

Fishhoek with mum

Lovely to spend quality time with mum and enjoy an invigorating swim in the ocean.

Synchronicity: Shooting stars

I was at The Breede River in South Africa with Russell and some other friends.  Late in the evening, when it was dark, I went outside for some alone time and I lay on the grass and looked up at the wondrous night sky.  My thoughts turned to Dani, my beautiful ex-girlfriend who I had broken up with in mid 2013.  I felt a powerful feeling of love for her and I wished with all my heart that she was well and happy.  As these feelings and wishes arose, a shooting star suddenly shot out across the sky and then another and then another.  I have never seen anything like it: 3 shooting stars in immediate succession.  I was filled with awe and wonder and gratitude.  It felt like the universe was saying to me "Dani is being taken care of.  All is well."

The colourful world of Bo Kaap

Jo and I spent a really fun morning photographing the colourful buildings of The Bo Kaap.  It's a place full of colour and atmosphere.  We finished off with a delicious Samosa at a nearby cafe.

 

Affirmation (2014)

Proud

• Christina:  "You're very calming. Beautiful energy."  Share re depression and spirituality.
• Jo "Highest EQ of anyone ever met. Should be life coach or counsellor."
• Elna interested in me romantically.
• Shoalhavem guy "Find conversation extremely inspiring.  So rare."
• Gavin: "He could make a sewerage work look beautiful."
• Matt in blog for hrs when could not sleep.
• JC: Its always a great laugh when your around... 
• Much energy in your pelvis.  Use it."  Deborah
• I rarely see a photograph I might call 'art' but your groups of photographs sensitively collaged I think do work as art.  Ken
• Site for Lydia and got domain working.
• Chrisel: Inspired by your calmness, kindness. (Kindness most Nb quality)
• Making girls laugh in mountains. 
• Chrisel interested & Liz
• Home maintenance (especially hole in toilet wall)
• Brandon:  "You're one in twelve funny people."
• Heather "You've changed.  Calmer."
• Jo: "You're in tune with emotions of others. Made me calmer."
• Liz: Your poetry brought me to to tears. 
• Greatly inspired Srini.
• Carrying pack at hike.

Photography

• Shoalhaven:  Hey Graeme, these photos are fantastic. I watched them many times! Sara
• Shoalhaven:  Wowee.. fantasticly, awesome pics!  I tried to leave a comment on your blog but it didn't take.. going to show my students your blog today.. such a great account of the adventure :-)  Ann Marie
• Shoalhaven:  A famous hiking photographer Graeme has some more amazing shots from the weekend.  JC
• Liz:  I don't know if this sounds odd, but all of your photos have this very positive, uplifting feel about them.  They give a sense of hope, wonder, awe and a general sense that everything is right with the world.
• Gavin:  Graeme has magic within his fingers like that of a god. With the click of his fingers he captures life in its purest form, with such raw emotion.
• Ken: I rarely see a photograph I might call 'art' but your groups of photographs sensitively collaged I think do work as art. 
• Gavin: “Graeme could make a sewerage work look beautiful.”
• Gavin: "Never get enough of your photos. Sit on toilet, end up there for 1.5 hours.

Life Trove

• Liz:  Since you gave us the link, I have been snooping around your blog. And all I can say is WOW!!!! It is an absolutely extraordinary piece of work.   Firstly, Your photos are beyond amazing.  I don't know if this sounds odd, but all of your photos have this very positive, uplifting feel about them.  They give a sense of hope, wonder, awe and a general sense that everything is right with the world (sorry for getting a bit deep there).  Anyway, there is definitely a gallery waiting with your name on it!  A few of my favourites are the "Torres Del Paine, Chile" with the sunlight hitting the peaks, the lion sitting so grandly and looking so majestic, the moon setting over the 12 Apostles, the sun setting behind the elephant, the sunset one with the boat in the water (you must have taken it recently)....really I could name so many more.... Your memoirs are so warm, honest and funny.  Its great reading about your family and seeing photos when you were a boy...with hair  (haha).  Your poetry brought me to to tears (particularly the one entitled 'The Child' for a couple different reasons).  I love poetry and used to write heaps as a child and in my teens but I haven't done so for ages.
• Chrisel:  I lost myself for a couple of hours in your treasure trove...what an incredible collection of memories you have created there. You must be so proud of yourself; seriously to be so in touch with all your most valued people/experiences is very admirable. And the photos! Those South America photos are amaaaaaaazing!  Wow, you really are a master photographer and writer (I still believe that you have missed your calling and should be a writer/photographer!). Thanks also for being so complementary about my family and your time here - I showed them all the entries about them and they loved it!  
• Sean:  Hi Graeme, a blast from the past but I was thinking about my old school friends on the weekend and looked you up. I read your blog and wow, you live life to the full.